LAND MUELLER

In recent months Land Mueller has done a considerable amount of study concerning Bible translations. For years there has been much study and question about which Bible we should use. Many years ago a cousin of mine came to church at Elijah and he was telling about a church that had gotten a new Bible. I think they had gotten a box of the American Standard translation. He was greatly concerned.

CLEM THURMAN

In a paper, Gospel Minutes, that is published and mailed from Fort Worth, Texas, Clem Thurman received the following correspondence and question from a reader: “Dear brother Clem: We appreciate Gospel Minutes very much. But we find that, with new converts especially, the use of different versions is confusing. Why not settle on one good version?” The following is Thurman’s answer: “Good question. But then comes the question, ’Which one?’ In my preaching and writing, I have always used the American Standard. David usually uses the New American Standard. Sometimes we will deviate from those two and use the New International (which is now the most widely used version in the United States). So why the different versions? Because by comparing versions, we are better able to understand what the original meaning was. But new versions have always created controversy. Knowing human nature, I can imagine there was much disagreement among the Jews when the Septuagint version was produced in the Greek language.”

TRUTH

“The truth is that most of us cannot understand the original languages of Hebrew and Greek, in which the Bible was written. So there must be translations, which means different versions. The real problem is, ‘Which one?’ And the Lord doesn’t tell us the answer. Various versions are produced by men, and it is left to the judgment of men to determine which version to use. If that is confusing, I am sorry, but the Lord never gave me the right to decide for the whole church which version to use.”

READ

As we have come to the New Year and among other things we need to be Bible readers. For years as I prepare a lesson, I read from three or four major translations. We will be better Bible students if we avail ourselves of all the good helps in knowing the Scriptures. Read these verses:

• 1 Corinthians 9:22 - “To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all thing to all men, that I might by all means save some.“
• 2 Corinthians 9:6 - “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
• Hebrews 10:25 - “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…”
• Hebrews 13:1- “Let brotherly love continue.”

Plan to be in your place every Sunday. I believe the Lord misses you when you are not here. Come with a Bible in your hand and a smile on your face and a spring in your step. I’ll look for you in your place.

-Pat Casey