Doesn’t the Bible have errors due to translations over the years? How can we know what is truly God’s instruction for us?
Question: Doesn’t the Bible have errors due to translations over the years? How can we know what is truly God’s instruction for us?
Answer: This is an extremely important issue, the main one in Christianity today. There will be no middle or “lukewarm” ground for followers of Jesus Christ, or Christians. The decision comes down to this:
Do you believe God or not?
God’s Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus to guide His followers after He ascended to heaven, keeps our Biblical record safe from infiltration by false teachings. When you compare the first manuscripts available with parallel historical texts and the recent archaeological discoveries of ancient writings, they are essentially the same and proof of God’s faithfulness in the safeguarding of His truths. God would have our Christian leaders, teachers, and pastors to consider this warning from Jesus in Revelation to turn away from the false assumption that God has been lax in preserving His words through His Spirit over the generations. This assurance He sends to His churches is vital for our own today:
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm —neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:14-22
Christians are dividing over this falling away from Biblical “inerrancy” (without error), and for good reason! Some leaders of churches today have chosen to teach only what people long to hear, is easy to follow, will not offend anyone’s new lifestyle, and will not hurt someone’s feelings. People desire, as is human nature, to decide what THEY think is right to do because they don’t want to change. That never ends well when it comes to determining a person’s destination for eternity! God decides who will join Him in the heavens and who will not based on our acceptance of His Son, Jesus and His sacrifice and resurrection from the dead. It’s not through earning your way through good deeds and kind words to others, although those are acts that are evidence of loving God, what the Bible calls the “fruits of the Spirit”. ( Galatians 5 )
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine . Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5
The times the apostle Paul wrote about to Timothy are here now! The scriptures show that people will fall away from its truths and be deceived into believing lies about God. ( 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2 )
Where is this current deception coming from? It’s inspired by the influences of Satan on our world. He would like nothing better than to establish counterfeit churches and convince people that you can’t rely on God and His guidebook, the Bible. He tries desperately to convince people that the Bible is full of myths, mistakes in translation, and only men’s own opinions. You see, the Bible tells us that long ago, God tossed him out of heaven and condemned him for the future, and so he and his demons he wants to prevent as many people as possible from enjoying fellowship with God in Paradise. ( Luke 23:39-43 ) Satan has been at the same game plan since the beginning when he tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden to disobey the one rule God had given Adam and her. The devil challenged her memory and her reasoning when he said, “Did God really say that? Are you sure?” He then called God a liar and said exciting things would happen if she just did what she felt was right. History shows the tragedy that resulted – Eve succumbed and led her husband to commit sin, too. Because of their sin, we have been in trouble ever since. ( Genesis, chapter 3 )
“…when you received the word of God from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men but as the real truth , the word of God, which effectively works in all of you who believe. “ 1 Thessalonians 2:13
You can rest assured that the Holy Bible is called that for a reason – it is HOLY. That means, set apart, dedicated, sacred, consecrated to God, and like no other. In what He calls “His word”, God revealed to us what He wants us to know of mankind’s past, present, and future. God also calls Jesus “The Word”. When He walked the earth, Jesus validated the truths of the scriptures by quoting them in His teaching. He wants you to read and study the Bible with others so that you will come to recognize Him as your Savior and know how God means for you to share the “good news”. Pray and ask Him to give you discernment between what is from God and what is human reasoning. When you ask, He certainly will answer!
“God is great, He is the Rock, His word is perfect , and all His ways are just. A God of truth, and without injustice, upright and righteous is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4
Followers of Jesus have so much to be thankful for and a wonderful, joyous future ahead with God and the others who love Him. We receive God’s peace that He always keeps His promises; He remains consistent and true in His direction and inheritance for us! It is only through Jesus that we are allowed to have this everlasting relationship with Him.
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His mercy and love endures forever; His truths endure through all generations .” Psalm 100:4-5
It is certain that each one of us will meet Jesus face-to-face after we die.
Will He commend you for believing His word that He gave you?