Verses versus Verses
Growing up I was taught to memorize Bibles verses. Today I still think it is not only a great idea, but it is Scriptural. How can we be effective disciples of our Lord if we don’t know His word?
Here is the problem – what translation does one memorize? Why so many translations? Does Satan use all these different translations as a divisive tool?
Since I’m an older guy and raised in a Pentecostal church, “Thou shalt readeth only the King James Version.” When I sit in church today and here someone reading from the New International Version (NIV) or the Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB) it just sounds kind of weird to me. There are all kinds of translations floating around out there. The Bibles mentioned in the previouis link and this post olny address those used in the protestant world. There is the Catholic Bible, also.
The important thing to remember is to take God’s word into your heart. The Holy Spirit will help you recall it when doing God’s work.
[For the record, my transalation of choice is the New American Standard Bible (NASB).]
October 4th, 2005 at 11:27 pm
I remember the Bibles my mom had when I was growing up….There was “The Good News for Modern Man” then there was “The Living Bible”. After our family got “right with God” and began attending an Independent Baptist Church we all began using the King James Version. I have to hand it to the Independent, Fundamental, Soul-Winning, KJV ONLY toting, pulpit pounding Baptist churches and schools that I attended as a teenager, particularly in the area of scripture memorization! We were required to memorize huge portions of scripture…like Romans 12 and Hebrews 11 and
1 Corinthians 13. If I concentrate really hard (don’t even say it) I can still remember most of those, however the places where I get foggy now are because I am confusing other translations with the KJV that I learned. If I’m gonna be absolutely honest then I’d have to admit that there is the age factor thing goin on too that has erased some of those.
I’ve found myself in the last year or so digging out the KJV more often, however I generally use the NIV..
Btw – I’ve got permission to help with updating the church website ………………mmmwwwwahahahahahahahaha
I learnt how to do all of that stuff tonight…………..then lost the password I need within about 5 minutes of her leaving my house….sigh
D
October 5th, 2005 at 10:47 am
Deanna – step away from the website. Just back away slowly and no one gets hurt.
October 5th, 2005 at 11:13 am
Well, we were talking about something to this affect at Bible study last night. I went to a Presbyterian church as a teenager and really fell led to join the church but had to participate in a class that prepared teens for accepting Christ. Commiting scripture to memory and the like. One of the requirements was that baptism (sprinkling) was a mandatory thing and that I could not receive my salvation if I didn’t do that part of it.
It wasn’t about not doing the baptism, it was about the fact that I was told I couldn’t receive my salvation if I didn’t. I don’t know what version he was getting this stuff out of but I totally didn’t agree and that helped set in motion the move totally away from church for me. It wasn’t until someone pointed out to me as an adult in the KJV that my salvation lies within my heart and my acceptance of Christ and that the baptism is the continued display of my public profession of that faith and acceptance. It was all in how the interpretation is taken.
I remember John 3:16 in the KJV so well from church as a kid. The first time it was recited outloud in church as an adult my words didn’t match what they were repeating. Today I find myself using the NIV for ease of reading. As I participate in more Bible studies I find that cross referencing the KJV can draw spectacular mental pictures because of the beautiful imagery words used from long ago.
I would agree it is all about the heart and the Holy Spirit at work in what you hear and keeping it close to verbalize when necessary in doing God’s work.
Deanna – the computer needs to go outside, it is just safer for all of us that way. I can’t wait to see what you do to the DBC website, cuz I know it ain’t EBC. We know better!
October 5th, 2005 at 3:59 pm
When I first started reading/studying the Bible,I just couldn’t understand the KJV.I got an NIV and the Scriptures just came to life for me.During one of our “moves” I lost my NIV,and had to go back and use the KJV. (after about 2 years with the NIV),and I could understand the KJV.Now,after a “few” years of study under my belt,and cross-reading,KJV,NIV,NASB,NKJV, and NAB,all have their strengths,and I’ll be content to keep comparing.I’ve mostly been a NASB man myself,but am becoming partial to the NAB.
As far as memorizing,mostly KJV….yes I’m that old!!!