I was wondering this after speaking with my brother on his new found faith; he has joined an almost cult like belief called black Hebrew Israelites. I don't know if anyone here has experienced them but they're interesting to say the least.
They focus a lot on "additional" books of the bible that there seem to be claims were originally in the KJV before being removed by the Catholic Church & that Jesus' name was originally Yahweh & so in a modern day translation of the name & in a new language we shouldn't use Jesus or we're worshiping a false messiah & so on. Some border the lines of very racist, most seem to be hateful/exhibit strong dislike towards "whites" & Africans.
It's a bit scary to me because he's my brother & it seems he's caught up in this & I know we are all subjected to confusion until God shows is the bits he wants too,
But I realized in speaking to my brother he doesn't really understand love. He harbors a lot of anger & disdain towards people, even towards his girlfriend & one family at times. Also he has almost no regard or care for others. And it just came to my mind that maybe if one can't grasp & show a basis of imperfect human love can u even begin to grasp bits of Gods truths or essence?
I'm also asking for prayer for him because he's so very lost & seeking answers for the wrong reasons in the wrong places & is too focused on human knowledge instead of seeking God to give him spiritual knowledge.
Some people seem to have the idea that God can love a person at the same time He is eternally torturing them. I could never figure that one out.
If the group spreads hatred, they obviously don't know God.
They can't even figure it out. That's why when they try to explain it, their explanations need explanations. What a mess.
Quote from: Seth on July 17, 2014, 10:41:56 PM
They can't even figure it out. That's why when they try to explain it, their explanations need explanations. What a mess.
So I'm assuming you've encountered them Seth?
I was responding to Tony N's general comment. No I haven't specifically encountered them yet. I'll have to look into it more.
But your brother's experiences reminds me of how importantly it is to examine ourselves that we are In the faith. If the situation is causing us to be hateful, then whether the doctrine were right or not, something has gone seriously wrong, whether it's doctrine, fellowship or just self. God will not lead anyone into hate and nor will he condone it. Everyone tends to think God is backing their horse no matter what, though.
Quote from: Seth on July 17, 2014, 11:12:57 PM
But your brother's experiences reminds me of how importantly it is to examine ourselves that we are In the faith. If the situation is causing us to be hateful, then whether the doctrine were right or not, something has gone seriously wrong, whether it's doctrine, fellowship or just self. God will not lead anyone into hate and nor will he condone it. Everyone tends to think God is backing their horse no matter what, though.
Well said & I agree
Quote from: rrich7 on July 17, 2014, 08:13:32 PM
I was wondering this after speaking with my brother on his new found faith; he has joined an almost cult like belief called black Hebrew Israelites. I don't know if anyone here has experienced them but they're interesting to say the least.
They focus a lot on "additional" books of the bible that there seem to be claims were originally in the KJV before being removed by the Catholic Church & that Jesus' name was originally Yahweh & so in a modern day translation of the name & in a new language we shouldn't use Jesus or we're worshiping a false messiah & so on. Some border the lines of very racist, most seem to be hateful/exhibit strong dislike towards "whites" & Africans.
It's a bit scary to me because he's my brother & it seems he's caught up in this & I know we are all subjected to confusion until God shows is the bits he wants too,
But I realized in speaking to my brother he doesn't really understand love. He harbors a lot of anger & disdain towards people, even towards his girlfriend & one family at times. Also he has almost no regard or care for others. And it just came to my mind that maybe if one can't grasp & show a basis of imperfect human love can u even begin to grasp bits of Gods truths or essence?
I'm also asking for prayer for him because he's so very lost & seeking answers for the wrong reasons in the wrong places & is too focused on human knowledge instead of seeking God to give him spiritual knowledge.
Yes the original 1611 King James Bibles contained fourteen additional books that are no longer found in the modern King James Bible? These are:Apocrypha title in the Authorised VersionThe First Book of Esdras
The Second Book of Esdras
Tobit
Judith
The Rest of the Chapters of the Book of Esther, which are found neither in the Hebrew nor the Chaldee
The Wisdom of Solomon
The Wisdom of Jesus the son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus
Baruch
The Song of the Three Holy Children
The History of Susanna
The History of the Destruction of Bel and the Dragon
The Prayer of Manasses King of Juda when he was holden captive in Babylon
The First Book of the Maccabees
The Second Book of the Maccabees
Others which have been claimed to be gospels but are false are the Gospels of Judas, Thomas, The Truths, etc.
There were Bible translations in the early centuries after Christ, English translations in the 8th and 9th centuries, the 12th and 13th and 14th and 15th, before there was a King James, and there have been about 100 translations after the King James. The King James is just another one of many translations.
Many feel that the King James Bible is inerrant. It is, in fact, a doctrine of some denominations. There are some organizations that believe it is the only truly inspired bible. Those who claim that the KJV is inerrant are not aware of the fact that one edition of the King James left out the word "not" in the seventh commandment. There were, in fact, three different corrections and revisions of the KJV in its very first year of publication. Many revisions followed.
A perfect translation is impossible. However, that does not mean that we can't understand the meaning of most of these originally inspired words, we can. But even understanding their meaning, it is still impossible to translate perfectly. There are such things as idioms, parables, metaphors, symbols, types, personifications, associations, allegories, and so on. There is no such thing as a direct word for word translation from any language into any other language. The best that often can be done is to translate thought for thought, and not always word for word.
In my opinion the "better" translations include:
Concordant Literal Version
Emphatic Diaglott
Rotherham's Emphatic Translation
Young's Literal translation
It is impossible to understand God if you do not have love. God is love. That is why many on that day will say "Lord , Lord didnt we do many mighty works in your name" and He will reply, "Depart from me you lawless ones, I never knew you".
The law of God is love. Love does no ill to its neighbor. All the law and the prophets are fulfilled in two commandments about love, "You shall love the Lord your God....and love your neighbor as yourself."
1 john 1:7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
:goodpost: Well said John !
1Peter 4 7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9Be hospitable to one another without complaint....
I Agree. :iagree:
God is Love. That is profound and wonderful.
The Law = Law of Moses = works of the law = 10 commandments and all statutes and judgements. They are just a shadow.
The real thing is Love.
:thumbsup:
Great post eaglesway! :thumbsup:
Some people think that "love" only works when fear of eternal punishment is involved. In my humble opinion, that can't be right.
Quote from: Eduard on July 23, 2014, 08:36:29 PM
Great post eaglesway! :thumbsup:
Some people think that "love" only works when fear of eternal punishment is involved. In my humble opinion, that can't be right.
I feel the same way. A vast majority of believers believe that the threat of eternal punishment is necessary to keep people from backsliding and from being disobedient. There are times when the threat of eternal torment can scare people into dropping their bad habits and developing good habits. From my experience, the ET threat did help me overcome some addictions however it also gave me intense anxiety as well and made it difficult for me to love the Lord. Whenever I think of the possibility of eternal punishment, I feel like I shouldn't have been born in the first place. If I think about it too much, it drives me insane. In other words, the threat of eternal punishment has been a double-edged sword for me.
Thank You Jesus for being the "radiance of the Father's glory and the exact representation of His nature. Your love always shining through to give "the light of the knowledgfe of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
"His face was like the sun shining in its strength"
That light is LOVE! :o)
Oh my!! yes, we can know them by their fruit!
Yes there are other Hebrew writings.. which if one reads them it's not hard to see they were not inspired by God's Holy Spirit.. not that they are 100% error.. but not, it seems to me, the Word of God.. which of course the KJ is not the best or closest translation of.. the errors being one or two (in translation!)
Quote from: eaglesway on July 24, 2014, 05:57:16 AM
Thank You Jesus for being the "radiance of the Father's glory and the exact representation of His nature. Your love always shining through to give "the light of the knowledgfe of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
"His face was like the sun shining in its strength"
That light is LOVE! :o)
Amen! :dsunny: :iagree: :banana:
Quote from: joeteekay on July 23, 2014, 07:49:45 PM
I Agree. :iagree:
God is Love. That is profound and wonderful.
The Law = Law of Moses = works of the law = 10 commandments and all statutes and judgements. They are just a shadow.
The real thing is Love.
:thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :dsunny:
Quote from: Searching_For_The_Truth on July 23, 2014, 10:34:47 PM
Quote from: Eduard on July 23, 2014, 08:36:29 PM
Great post eaglesway! :thumbsup:
Some people think that "love" only works when fear of eternal punishment is involved. In my humble opinion, that can't be right.
I feel the same way. A vast majority of believers believe that the threat of eternal punishment is necessary to keep people from backsliding and from being disobedient. There are times when the threat of eternal torment can scare people into dropping their bad habits and developing good habits. From my experience, the ET threat did help me overcome some addictions however it also gave me intense anxiety as well and made it difficult for me to love the Lord. Whenever I think of the possibility of eternal punishment, I feel like I shouldn't have been born in the first place. If I think about it too much, it drives me insane. In other words, the threat of eternal punishment has been a double-edged sword for me.
I know what you mean. I think knowing that God's punishments are for our correction and that everyone will be saved is a much, much better way to make us feel that God truly loves us and that we are to keep his commands.
It is the kindness of God that leads us to repentence. In the final outworking, it is the demonstration of the love of God in the cross of Christ that will win every soul, gathering every adversary, as we have been gathered, by grace through faith, into the love of God, which is the greatest of the three things that abide- faith, hope and love.
:dsunny:
I remember when I walked among Christians who were ashamed of the word LOVE. Any time I woud talk about love they would try to "balance" me by telling me how stern a judge God is, and how few find the narrow gate. When the Holy Spirit showed me that love is the narrow way I was set free :o)