I grew up using the KJV and didn't really have a problem with it. Just like any version, if you don't understand something you ask and do research and it can become clearer. (wish I woul've done more of that asking when I was younger!) Remember, when the KJV came out it included the Apocropha and had WAY different spellings than it does now! So our current KJV is a more modern version of the original KJV. When it came out, everyone talked in the language that the KJV uses. We don't talk that way now, so some of the modern versions are like our KJV was many years ago---modernizing the English so it's more easily understood! I love the KJV, and use it a lot---especially for memorization, cuz it just flows better for that, it seems. However, I am open to searching through many versions to work at getting a clearer picture of what is being said! I think it's great that we have that option---the ability to have Bibles of different versions to check, and to use or not use whichever ones we prefer!
I completely agree. However, I think that some interpret my position as me saying I am a better Christian or that I am insulting their bible. I actually can see that point as I was not always under this conviction. I remember thinking it was the craziest thing I ever heard. lol. I also think that extreme views seem to put some people on the defensive. I most certianly do not think I am a better Christian because of the bible I read. I have seen God work in amazing ways and give wisdom and insight to those who read other translations. I also agree with what Heidi said about me putting a "disclaimer" at the end of my post. It may have appeared that I was ready and waiting for a debate. The Word of God is far too important for mere debate. I do think that some issues as you mentioned, Prairie, are worth discussing. However, they should be done so in the proper forum and with the proper heart. I am not sure many can do that without getting their feelings hurt. I know was not happy with comments made. However, if the comments made were with thought and not malice I would have welcomed that. Thank you ladies for the support and kindness. That is why I love this forum so much. The women here have the maturity and class to agree to disagree without petty arguing. We can have different point of views and still love and respect one another. For the Christians on this board, I think we have a solid foundation in our faith and can find the common ground that binds us...the love of Christ and the blood of Christ.
Sad, but probably true. Faith in Jesus Christ has become the new "taboo." You can talk about anything else, anywhere, and it is not considered offensive, but you need to watch what you say about Jesus and where you say it, lest you be considered "intolerant!" So, let's go ahead and let Christianity be zoned, like smoking? "Smoke-free area." "Christ-free area." I know that's far from what you were saying, Ava Rose! I am not arguing with what you said--rather, I'm agreeing with it and commenting further. I just see so many things happening around us that try to limit the freedom of speech of Christians, yet it seems perfectly fine to some of the people who would limit us, for them to freely use the name of our Savior as a swear word! But, oops! I forgot to check if this was the Christian forum or not!
Oh Praire, you just read my heart. I just got an email from a Christian friend of mine. She mentioned how cute it is when her little girl says, "Jesus" when she is wearing her cross. She then mentioned that she doesn't wear her cross to work because she reports to a Jew and a Muslim and is fearful of offending them. Well, did she consider offending me when she wrote the dribble? lol. We are not supposed to put our light under a bushel. Now, I am not suggesting she march into work with a cross, a bible, and tracts. (although that would be nice, lol) I am, however, saying that if we believe what we pretend to believe then this is God's world. So God's world, God's Rules! Regardless of what you believe, this is God's World. And she should be offended by those who do not honor the deity of Christ not the other way around. We have it so completely backwords! Again, I am not saying she should walk in and offend. Yet, she should not be hestiant to wear a cross. I mean, if she knows that she reports to a Jew and a Muslim, then obviously they felt free enough to share their views or at least make them known. Again, I am not asking her to risk her job...just not be embarressed or hesitant. If God is for us, who can be against us? Oh, and I would have no problem loosing a job over Jesus. So, I guess I speak from a different point of view. Although if you loose your job you can't witness to those people...so we should represent Christ well. ya know, there are far too many "Christ free" zones! I think you made a good point. In a book I read once, the author commented that when you speak of eastern religions everyone thinks you are wise...but when speaking of Christianity people consider you intolerant and all of a sudden restrictions are placed.
One of my dear older brothers had a saying tacked to his bulletin board when we were growing up. It asked, "If it would be a crime to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" Whenever I passed by, I would read it and wonder if people could tell by the words I said or by the way I lived my life... For example, will I bow my head & thank the Lord for my meals, even in public? Am I more afraid of being convicted as a Christian or of NOT being convicted?!! My beloved husband told me yesterday that right now there's a man in Afghanistan who is facing execution simply because he is a Christian. So are countless others, all over the world. It makes me wonder what if the "opportunity" comes for me to die as a martyr for Jesus Christ in the United States, if I can't even handle name-calling? And what if this issue will be the main challenge for our children, affecting the type of jobs they are eligible for, more than their education? And how can we train them realistically, "as we see these things coming to pass," how to face them without fear?
I use an NIV parenting bible like AussieMum mentioned. A family recently left our church over this subject. One week our pastor stated that versions of the Bible aren't as important as whether or not you get into it to begin with. He has studied Greek, and like someone posted already, when you translate you come closer to the other versions that you do to the KJV. That set off the males in this family. They argued with our pastor, yelled at him, and in the end they left the church. I found it sad.
Okay a little off topic but I just thought of something that happened about two years ago at the church I was going to at that time. My next door neighbor was the children's pastor at the church and one day a Musleum man came in to talk with him. They were talking about the Bible and the Koran and this man was just being really hateful to my friend. So the guy was berating the Christian beliefs and asked if my friend could recite the entire Bible from memory. Of course he said that no he couldn't. Well the Musleum man said he could recite the entire Koran by heart and my friend said ...........well great when you get to hell you can recite it to the devil!!! When I heard that I was rolling on the floor laughing! My friend felt really bad that he said that but at that point the man was being so horrible to him he just couldn't help it. Okay sorry I got off topic I just had to share that.
