tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.comments2023-09-01T04:42:16.881-05:00In Spirit and In TruthHannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11788930568128035386noreply@blogger.comBlogger430125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-43881714594900889212018-07-28T07:41:57.586-05:002018-07-28T07:41:57.586-05:00thanksthanksLester S. Bosworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06527384674166404170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-12988664832489992092015-01-26T15:57:07.016-06:002015-01-26T15:57:07.016-06:00It’s nice to see that your faith has been strength... It’s nice to see that your faith has been strengthened by the experience, sad to say many former members are just bitter, and justifiably so. <br />I too was a member and have strong feelings about a lot that went on in the church, a large amount of negative, but mostly positive. <br />I enjoyed the fellowship, spokesmen's' club and the family togetherness, but I disliked the thought police as I use to call it and the disparity between H/Q, and the local congregations. This was all very confusing. Plus the confusion I had when I read the scriptures that contradicted the tenants of the WWCG. I felt lost most of the time. Unfortunately they were and still are blind guides, and they caused many people to fall into the ditch. But this was a long time ago, HWA is long gone 28 years or so now. Please forgive me I am not minimizing anyone's pain. The apparent abuse from a lot by of these ministers is the plain truth, but with faith and love everyone can overcome it. Please do not allow the abuse from them to continue to harm you. To see people say they are still suffering, have become non-believers or atheist's is heart breaking. It shows the almost utter failure of WWCG. But it doesn't have to be so, I picked up where I left off, I started by reading my bible again, and added to it by listening to it on CD. This self-study has completely erased that part of my life. Reading the bible without a minister or an organization to explain things to me has completely freed me from the pain, suffering and guilt that semi cults like this can cause. I call it semi only because they didn't get us to drink the Kool-Aid, but it appears it was close to it for a lot of the members. Anyway there is a benefit to blogging it all out like this, it gets it off your chest, and again it is nice to see some of the members stilling having faith in God through Jesus and that is all that really matters. <br />drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12933155539478914697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-42369472623118424312014-07-16T14:19:54.234-05:002014-07-16T14:19:54.234-05:00I understand your distaste. I have that same dista...I understand your distaste. I have that same distaste towards many misrepresentations. I encourage you to learn God, not by the presentation of who God is by man, and his desire to appease their own self-worth, but through the simple existence nature. The beauty of the flowers. The quiet power of water to nourish them and yourself. Man did not create this beauty, God did. Just as Christ said....Render unto Caesar's what is Caesar's and unto God, what is God's. Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788930568128035386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-90359032583654574732014-06-11T06:24:46.251-05:002014-06-11T06:24:46.251-05:00It's been amazing reading your blog. I also l...It's been amazing reading your blog. I also left WWCG around about the same time as you. I think I was about 18. I didn't move on to because I had questions of faith, I moved on out of rebellion. I couldn't believe how hippocritical, legalistic, judgemental this church was. I didn't want a bar of it. I never hated God, I always kept a feeling of Him inside me but I wasn't interested. I went off the rails a little but managed to find a loving husband and a good job. I did always thank God when good things happened in my life but did not have a relationship with Him. Nearly 20 years has past since WWCG days and I've found the Lord again, and man am I in LOVE! One thing I never learnt at WWCG was that God loved me. I always thought he was angry with because I couldn't live up to his standards. I felt condemned. I didn't know that Jesus was the only man alive who lived up to these standards. I never heard the church really preach Jesus and grace. (Well how could they, they were still preaching the law!). Anyway, I've come back to God and have got such a thirst for Him. We are all part of the body of Christ. There is no such thing as the one true church of God. (And if there are any WWCG people reading this, NO, I have not fallen victim to false teaching and demonic influence).Returned to Faithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00579990490856536143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-62657869426328100272014-05-19T22:37:33.487-05:002014-05-19T22:37:33.487-05:00The father in heaven never told you to call yourse...The father in heaven never told you to call yourself a Christian,Man gave their self that name,I consider myself someone who is a true believer of the father in Heaven and that I have his blood of his son which is my brother who I praise and hope I find truth and that I one day walk the true path towards the Gate's of heaven..Many say they are Christian's and they only bring you truth and that they follow what the bible says But they follow all the traditions of man when it says not too,..I am learning more and more each day of what I find in my own mistakes,I try my hardest to change my ways and than try to preach it to others of why it is wrong But many Christians will ignore the warning because it makes them feel good not because it is right.Which I see that as Pride.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789440988362447495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-54212808394977868662014-05-19T22:37:02.533-05:002014-05-19T22:37:02.533-05:00The father in heaven never told you to call yourse...The father in heaven never told you to call yourself a Christian,Man gave their self that name,I consider myself someone who is a true believer of the father in Heaven and that I have his blood of his son which is my brother who I praise and hope I find truth and that I one day walk the true path towards the Gate's of heaven..Many say they are Christian's and they only bring you truth and that they follow what the bible says But they follow all the traditions of man when it says not too,..I am learning more and more each day of what I find in my own mistakes,I try my hardest to change my ways and than try to preach it to others of why it is wrong But many Christians will ignore the warning because it makes them feel good not because it is right.Which I see that as Pride.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789440988362447495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-74156160743149796952014-04-14T17:11:48.542-05:002014-04-14T17:11:48.542-05:00i was raised in this cult screwed up my whole ch...i was raised in this cult screwed up my whole childhood.. proud to say i am now an atheist Rot in hell HWA!!!!Tired of being Ripped Offhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11799650258126923166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-68653234966015361342014-03-20T23:23:51.911-05:002014-03-20T23:23:51.911-05:00NLT's "God blesses those who are poor,&qu...NLT's "God blesses those who are poor," does not equate to the NIV's "Blessed are the poor in spirit."<br /><br />We don't need any more versions. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-88317233643333716102014-03-20T23:18:16.707-05:002014-03-20T23:18:16.707-05:00"Paraphrases don't belong in the Bibles s..."Paraphrases don't belong in the Bibles section of the bookstore; they belong with the commentaries."<br /><br />I agreeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-15488127204954995052014-03-20T23:15:26.269-05:002014-03-20T23:15:26.269-05:00Good article. Word for word translations are alwa...Good article. Word for word translations are always the best. Preachers should know better, but many still choose to use Bibles such as the NLT and the Mess Bible, I mean the Message Bible. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-12261176187757433212013-05-16T13:09:22.192-05:002013-05-16T13:09:22.192-05:00Thank you!
My point about translations often gets...Thank you!<br /><br />My point about translations often gets lost in debate.... Be led of the Spirit... that alone should be the end of all debates, but alas, human nature doesn't allow for the suffiency of the Spirit. We seek, look to more physical means of accountability.<br /><br />May the Spirit continue to keep you and bless you with WISDOM.<br /><br /><br />Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788930568128035386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-10169415362576502752013-05-15T18:07:04.752-05:002013-05-15T18:07:04.752-05:00Dear Hannah,
Thank you so much for your blog. It ...Dear Hannah,<br /><br />Thank you so much for your blog. It is great to hear rational reasons that relate to my spiritual experience of the many different bibles that I've read or attempted to read. The KJV keeps me living in Respect and Awe of the gift I've been given. As a very subjective and intuitive person I need to have a concrete resolution to the ongoing "which bible" debate I have with myself. It makes sense and I feel led by the spirit to use the KJV as my primary bible (as I have been), and relegate the others (as good as some are) to commentary section status along with the many other bible study books I have. Freedom at last. God Bless and Hang on to Jesus!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01013213875232859395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-13565871102523480492012-12-09T13:19:30.489-06:002012-12-09T13:19:30.489-06:00Hi Ryan!
Thanks for stopping past and sharing. As...Hi Ryan!<br /><br />Thanks for stopping past and sharing. As you can tell, it's been a while since I've last updated this blog.<br /><br />I thank you for sharing your thoughts on the matter.<br /><br />Quite honestly, I tire of the petty debate of translations. When one group defends a particular translation that they are loyal to, against another group. Where's the loyalty to God's unimaginable and unlimited power?<br /><br />The bottom line is clear to me. The LORD God, of Abraham Isaac and Jacob remains the TRUE authority of TRUTH, WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING. <br /><br />I've shared my testimony of why I switched to the NLT to the KJV. It was nothing short of the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Suffice it to say, it was this authority that lead me to the KJV which presented more edification than the NLT...not the credentials of a translator, or motives of a overzealous well-doer. <br /><br />I speak personally. <br /><br />My overall message, which has gotten lost by the defenses translations, was simply this...<br /><br />One must look ALWAYS to the Author of Wisdom for guidance and understanding. If your mind and heart is willingly open to Him, He can lead in amazing ways. Ways that often confound the understanding of men who repeatedly try to put God in a box. God cannot be limited by a translation, therefore defending one translation over another, is to miss the mark by a mile.<br /><br />His ways, are higher than ours, His thoughts than our thoughts.<br /><br />I bid you peace. May you grow in truth and spread the TRUTH of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as a seminary student and Pastor under the knowledge the true Church is spiritual and it's members only known to Him who has them written the Lamb's book.Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788930568128035386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-15970238546970880362012-11-29T15:02:45.319-06:002012-11-29T15:02:45.319-06:00I never had problems with God or the Church. I alw...I never had problems with God or the Church. I always thought I was a free person and as a free person I could enter any establishment and pray to my God or ask any prophet to speak to him for me if I wanted to send a special message. Deep inside I knew I carried him always as he is a part of my soul and he couldn't be touched by any one there. If they crucified, me he would still be saved as would my soul be saved with him in it.<br />People all have their reasons for speaking but there is only one truth and it lies inside all of us.<br />This is why when we die, we stand only before God to judge us because in as much as we expect his judgement, we will judge ourselves first.A Lady's Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11973102350411443282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-78393171479909059552012-11-28T03:17:03.338-06:002012-11-28T03:17:03.338-06:00KudosKudosAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07490631873521203318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-11682946872562421812012-11-28T03:10:55.963-06:002012-11-28T03:10:55.963-06:00Because Peterson was out to create something compl...Because Peterson was out to create something completely fresh, he did not have to worry about things like that, and we as readers in the English can get a perspective entirely knew (not just cosmetically new as many translations can be). This talk of entirely new may cause you to take caution, and that is a good thing - we, or Peterson for that matter, are not out to change the truth of Christ - that would be what we don't want. But I see writers out there attacking the Message or other translations by saying "see, this translation says 'this', and the new one says 'that'!" It's changing the word of God! But what they don't seem to remember is that someone somewhere made a choice to use the word 'this' in the first place. There is a Greek word behind these English words and if you are the type of person that wants a very literal interpretation, my best advice to that person I'm afraid would be to learn Greek/Hebrew, or at least the skills to use the various word study tools out there. If you're the type of person that is ok with leaving it to the professionals, then research a good variety of formal and dynamic equivalents, and yes maybe even some paraphrases, and study all of them while humbly asking the Holy Spirit to be your guide, as I know that God is surely speaking to us via the reading of Scripture. <br /><br />In case you care about credentials or that I'm not just making this up as I go along, I am a seminary student and pastor. Hope it helps in some way, and God bless! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07490631873521203318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-52522754046712138982012-11-28T03:10:16.622-06:002012-11-28T03:10:16.622-06:00Hi Hannah,
I think you might be confusing defini...Hi Hannah, <br /><br />I think you might be confusing definitions here <br /><br />A translation is a work that is transferred from one language to another while a paraphrase is a re-working from within one language. For example the English 'I love you' cane be translated 'Je t'aime' in French, or paraphrased as 'it's you I love' in English. <br /><br />There is a spectrum in translation ranging from formal equivalence to dynamic equivalence. Otherwise stated a word-for-word or thought for thought translation. What most people don't realize though (because they haven't studied translation) is that there is no such thing as a literal word-for-word translation, or very seldom in any case - that's not how language works. <br /><br />For example the Greek phrase beginning Matthew chapter 4 "Τότε ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀνήχθη εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ὑπὸ τοῦ πνεύματος πειρασθῆναι ὑπὸ τοῦ διαβόλου..." if forced into a word for word translation would read roughly "Then the Jesus lead into the wilderness of the spirit tempter of the Devil" <br /><br />In this verse you can still sort of make out what is going on, but as you came to more difficult verses, you would see how the meaning would be totally obscured. Sometimes 5 English words are needed to convey what one Greek means, and sometimes 1 English word is needed to say what takes 5 Greek. <br /><br />But you hit it right when you say that multiple translations are needed for study. Finding where they differ and then looking into the Greek as to why they differ (because they differ for a reason - one of them is NOT trying to change or obscure the Bible, they are translating what seems to their understanding to be the wording that best represents authorial intent - and they do a much better job than you or I would, so thank God for them for providing us with a written gospel we can understand!) <br /><br />The Message for example is often criticized for being a paraphrase while technically being a translation (because Peterson worked from the original languages) albeit a very idiomatic translation. It has its strengths and weaknesses as many translations do. One strength is that it really does offer a fresh perspective on verses we think we've heard a thousand times. One weakness may be that it was translated primarily by one person instead of a team. <br /><br />Traditional translations have weaknesses too though. Unfortunately these people that work very hard on providing God's word for the everyday person has to make a living, as they well deserve, which means they need a publisher or finance-er, which means you need to sell bibles. This often means that translating teams will often get pigeon-holed into a translation they may not necessarily think is best or most clear. But because they may need the Bible translation they produce to be marketable to a conservative and highly traditional Christian community, they must use more familiar language, especially in well known passages. Imagine changing the wording of ten commandments, beatitudes, or John 3.16? traditionalist watchdogs have field days with verses like these. Next thing you know your translation is blacklisted (even though it may be very true to the original language) and you as a business is out the cost of production. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07490631873521203318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-68703160673448908532012-09-01T03:59:09.544-05:002012-09-01T03:59:09.544-05:00Yes this is so true. I remember we did a full stud...Yes this is so true. I remember we did a full study on the translations at one point. I think translations like NLT the The Message are great as complimentary tools not as primary reading and study tools. I'll be bold to even say they are commentaries. Sometimes when I am reading through the prophets or if instructions are being given about dimensions etc I switch to NLT/MSG to get a bit more sense out of the text and understand what might have been meant. KJV is a bit too hard for me so I use NKJV instead. Thank you for this article, I am sure it'll help people.Takwirirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09619441657467154531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-7908240176207381562012-01-11T12:48:33.960-06:002012-01-11T12:48:33.960-06:00Hello Joe!
I have to tell you I haven't touch...Hello Joe!<br /><br />I have to tell you I haven't touched the NLT since my discovery about it's background, that would translate into years. I'm afraid I won't be much help in that area. The KJV is what I've been using since. <br /><br />Suffice it to say, the NLT would be consider a spin off of the Living Bible, paraphrased by K. Taylor. If memory serves correctly, either the LB or NLT was created by K. Taylor for his children, so in that regard the NLT should work well. If your concern is pronunciation, the NLT should do well with children under your guidance. Although I have to say some Biblical terms are hard for ANYONE to pronounce, despite their background. :) Maybe for lessons, you can spell out the word in a pronunciation key as an aid?<br /><br />Personally speaking as a mom, I would use the NLT just for the Old Testament reading. <br /><br />I would caution any one of any age using it for the New Testament reading. There should be another translation, preferably, KJV for comparison. <br /><br />Thanks for stopping by! Hope this helps :)<br /><br />HannahHannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788930568128035386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-54457165786423545282012-01-03T13:00:27.591-06:002012-01-03T13:00:27.591-06:00I have no desire to debate versions of the bible, ...I have no desire to debate versions of the bible, but I will say I have always been a KJB only person, as has my wife. But we have started working with 4th - 6th grade students this year, who are really, and I hate to say this but, are not very bright. They come from broken homes and in a school district that is very far behind. Many of them can barely read. And for us, the biggest concern was with pronunciation, not comprehension. As the teacher, it is my job through the power of the Holy Spirit to teach the scriptures for their comprehension. <br /><br />Anyway, I started looking at other translations to assist with help the children be able to pronounce words. A friend had recommended the NLT, as it is rated at a 6th grade reading level. I do find concern related to the fact that you miss a large amount of the meaning with the NLT, but I sure like how much easier the children can read it.<br /><br />Having just started using the NLT personally, I was hoping to get your input with your 10+ years experience dealing with the NLT.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00583878135090834510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-35921617724645219902011-11-01T22:41:56.449-05:002011-11-01T22:41:56.449-05:00Left WCG over 20 years ago, and had to re-start my...Left WCG over 20 years ago, and had to re-start my Christianity with personal bible study--what a surprise to find teachings of Christ I never heard in WCG!<br /><br />As a hobby, I write articles about what I have studied. Not saying I have all the answers (who does?), but the writing helps me to learn. Feel free to read and share what is at http://christianity101.infoShareTimehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891544248882708558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-86708744555930284782011-10-14T12:25:31.652-05:002011-10-14T12:25:31.652-05:00Amen, it is all about our relationship with Jesus ...Amen, it is all about our relationship with Jesus and having the right heart with Christ. In fact, most churches or seminaries are filled with pharisees and Sadducee:)Toyin O.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08429675861306256504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-20884684865666362272011-09-14T14:24:00.486-05:002011-09-14T14:24:00.486-05:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788930568128035386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-85316840703863928312011-09-13T23:40:48.448-05:002011-09-13T23:40:48.448-05:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Sweet Lilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04613556729394471187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8401890206819909506.post-29110331683716256322011-05-23T10:30:46.267-05:002011-05-23T10:30:46.267-05:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Rebecca Dunninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13120426481871222254noreply@blogger.com