Translational Issues vs. Textual Criticism (Mod Statement)

[jabcat]

I believe most regulars on TM understand and agree that there are many translational issues - things that have OBVIOUSLY been added or taken away from the *CONSENSUS of the oldest manuscripts available.  They are quite well documented.  IMO, Gary's, and the TM forum's guidelines, those are necessary things to know and be aware of.   (*they agree in the 95-99% range, as I understand - with much - not all of the discrepancy being minor copying errors)

That is much different than dismissing things in the scriptures because they may not fit with what we personally believe, we see them as contradictions to our own doctrines, or they go against our "grain"/don't "feel right", we're currently unable to reconcile them, etc. - so we discount them and say "well, the scribes must have lied about that".  This can be presented so subtly that it can be missed.  However, some who take this latter stance form doctrines and opinions based on those assumptions, then they can postulate any belief system they choose from select verses. 

Differences of opinion, differences of understanding, perspective, varying levels of knowledge and maturity - that's all to be expected within the body.  We're individuals, with our own experiences, backgrounds, levels of growth.  That's why discussion and fellowship is good.  We can learn and grow from each other.  However, as a body of believers on Yeshua as the Savior - and Savior of the world - I believe it's important that we hold to accurately translated, rightly divided, and Spirit-revealed scriptures as one of our main standards to go by.  When we start chipping away at the trust-worthiness of that, randomly picking and choosing what WE believe is true based on our own feelings or whether it "makes sense to us", then IMO, we're on both a personal slippery slope that leads to destruction (wood, hay, stubble burned) and also in danger of leading others astray with our own imaginations.

This is not a KJV-only, a "my translation's the only one that's true", or even a "that Bible TRANSLATION you hold in your hand is perfectly inerrant" site.  It is taken into consideration that there are MANY translational issues, and we as yet don't have a "perfect" translation.  In fact it's encouraged to go back to the oldest manuscripts anyone can possibly set their eyes on and see what was more originally written that may have gotten lost or distorted over the years, and then share that with the rest of us.  However, along with that, there is an effort given toward respect for the scriptures as to their reliability in faith and practice, when, accurately translated and Spirit-revealed. 

Nevertheless, God help me live the following;

But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.