All you good Christians out there, consider all the changes words and phrases have undergone just in your lifetime (when I was young, gay meant merry). Now, reflect on how the original intent of The Bible could have been different. As it is, there are still plenty of differing opinions on a multitude of passages.
Now take into account generations of translations from different ancient languages and also dialects as well as regional definitons. It is more than just a possibility that a turn of phrase could end up completely different from what was initially intended. There's a game people play. Some call it telephone, operator, gossip, etc. The object is to see how different a statement becomes after it is related from one person to another. It can be rendered unrecognizable after just a dozen people have passed it along. That should be quite telling and something to always keep in mind especially if you are getting any kind of information from anything other than the source.
Another thing that interests me is the concept that The Bible is the one true word of God. I was told as a young Catholic that The New Testament supercedes The Old Testamant. If that were true it would mean God changes His/Her mind. Hmm. And which true word of God is the real true word of God. So I mean, you know, it's like I don't know... there are so many different editions of The Bible is so many modern languages,,, and everybody believes theirs to be the real one.
Just as a footnote, sort of, I was taught God is everything, everywhere. I would add all the time but, we've been watching "Greenleaf" lately so, that phrase is the response to "God is good" (and Lord we hope so); However, it stands to reason that if God is everything, that includes good and bad. You've got to take the sweet with the sour. If everything was originally created by God, well, there you go. It is what it is. Just sayin'.
Now take into account generations of translations from different ancient languages and also dialects as well as regional definitons. It is more than just a possibility that a turn of phrase could end up completely different from what was initially intended. There's a game people play. Some call it telephone, operator, gossip, etc. The object is to see how different a statement becomes after it is related from one person to another. It can be rendered unrecognizable after just a dozen people have passed it along. That should be quite telling and something to always keep in mind especially if you are getting any kind of information from anything other than the source.
Another thing that interests me is the concept that The Bible is the one true word of God. I was told as a young Catholic that The New Testament supercedes The Old Testamant. If that were true it would mean God changes His/Her mind. Hmm. And which true word of God is the real true word of God. So I mean, you know, it's like I don't know... there are so many different editions of The Bible is so many modern languages,,, and everybody believes theirs to be the real one.
Just as a footnote, sort of, I was taught God is everything, everywhere. I would add all the time but, we've been watching "Greenleaf" lately so, that phrase is the response to "God is good" (and Lord we hope so); However, it stands to reason that if God is everything, that includes good and bad. You've got to take the sweet with the sour. If everything was originally created by God, well, there you go. It is what it is. Just sayin'.