Is God a Liar?
I was driving my kids to school the other day and when I turned onto the highway I noticed that the police had closed the road. This part of the highway floods once or twice a year and the road has to be closed. Well we had a tremendous storm with a lot of rain on top of a snow storm we just had, so the road was definitely flooded. So I turned off the highway and I told the kids “We are going the mountain way this morning.” Now the kids sometimes like to go the mountain way, they like to look for a train as we cross the tracks and they look for deer in the fields. But this morning was a little different.
As we were driving my daughter, who is in kindergarten, all of a sudden spoke up and said, “Daddy, God is a liar.” Well, as you can imagine, I was a little taken back. So I asked her why she thought God lied. She told me that “God said that we would never gain be cut off by the water of the flood. Well Daddy, the road to school was cut off so God lied.”
Well at first as was pretty happy that my little girl recalled Genesis chapter 9 verse 11. So, I had to explain to her that yes God did say that but he also continued in that verse and said that “…neither shall there be a flood to destroy the earth” I then explained to my daughter that the Bible is a whole bunch of books that was written for different people in different situations. That is why it is such a wonderful book to help us in all areas of our lives. I continued to explain that the Bible was also written in 3 different languages and had to be translated into English. She was able to understand that because she can count to 20 or so in Spanish.
Any way I told her the the Hebrew word actually meant to cut, destroy and consume. And that when we read the Bible we have to be careful not to read just one or two verses and make a statement based on that. We need to understand whom that book was written for and why.
So why am I writing this to you? Well we Christians often take the Bible out of context and I have seen it all the time. I know people who have Priests, Ministers and Pastors who tell them things and to read out of a certain Bible. We can read in the Bible where it says in Exodus 31:14 that he who works on a Sunday shall be put to death. Well does that pertain to us? Of course not, that was written to the people of Israel when they were building God’s temple here on earth. God said of the workers who were building this not wot work on His temple on the Sabbath.
So my point here is that when you read a Bible verse and it doesn’t quite make sense, then make sure to read the whole chapter and maybe a chapter before. Or consult a good commentary to try to understand the circumstances of when and why this book was written. Also remember that whatever translation you use remember that it was translated from another language. Get a good concordance. I remember getting an email from a member of Christian Living Ministry asking me what Bible I use. I explained to her that I study the original languages Greek Hebrew and Aramaic but I also you the KJV, KJVR, NASB and NIV. She told me she had to quit because I was not using an “Authorized” version. I didn’t know what authorized version I was supposed to be reading. I thought that my years of studying Greek and Hebrew would help me read the actual words written! To think I could have skipped all that studying if I just picked up the authorized version! Now I don’t blame this person but I do pray for her as apparently someone told her that there was only one correct version of the Bible. Unfortunately they are mistaken.
Please tell me what you think.
Pastor Bob
March 9th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I totally agree with you. The word tells us in Revelations and Proverbs about adding and subtracting from his word. I think we do need to read above and below and the entire book to be able to relate/understand what Thus Sayaith The Lord.There are always times even when we think we did our best something is left out and can be the reason why someone is confused about the Lord,that someone could be us. Proverbs tells us lean not to our own understanding.
Dawn Sievers
March 10th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I wholeheartily agree with you…..to much it taken out of context to suit a persons reason. And often times you find they haven’t read the entire book, chapter or even Bible before coming to their conclusion. As for the “authorized” version….well, my GOD has used a donkey! And a wall! to write his Word! I believe He could use a blank piece of paper with no markings on it at all and still get His message across if He so chooses! And if there is only one “authorized” version then all the missionary’s in the world that have translated THAT verison into the tongue of some obscure tribe has wasted their time….My GOD is an awesome GOD and will get the message thru no matter what is used…
March 11th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Ameeen to what Billi Fabie commented !!
March 12th, 2008 at 3:40 am
I use the kjv parallel nkjv because the nkjv gives me a better understanding sometimes of the kjv! No, I know that God never lies, when we doubt him, we are taking His word out of contence instead of getting the true message!
March 17th, 2008 at 11:28 am
First of all I believe that the bible is all truth no matter what version you are reading and I agree that you need to read pre and post to get the context of what you are reading. I feel that many people pick and choose there way around the bible to fit the lifestyle or what suits them best. I also believe God uses his word to reach people in different ways so the same verse may have a different meaning at its time for different readers. The more time you spend in the word the more understanding God will give you. I don’t and will never understand everything in the bible but I do know when its time God will give me the answers I need. Thats the awesome thing about the bible is that i’ve read the same scriptures many times and God has different answers. Every morning before I read my bible I ask him for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of his word. I don’t always get answers right away. Sometimes it a week or two later. I believe if you sit and be still and listen he will give you the more understanding. So if you want wisdom ask him for it he gives it freely. Seek, knock, and the door will be opened.
Dennis Hegewald
March 18th, 2008 at 7:13 am
I have been amused by people through the years and their stand on this issue of which translation is correct. Example: One time I heard to men having a passionate discussion over John 14:2 In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.(King James) Another version states “many rooms.” This was the basis of the debate. One old man listening to this sparring match, finally intervened. He told these two younger men that he did not care if it was a “camper” on the back side of Glory, that wasn’t the point. The point was that Jesus was coming back! The discussion promptly ended. I personally own most every version printed in english; I rely heavily on the strong’s concordance and take nothing at face value. I was ministering to two young men the other day and we were discussing scripture in general. I used the passage in Matthew 5:21 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. I asked them if they knew what this verse was talking about. I got the deer in the headlight look from them. So I went on to explain the political situation in which the Israelites were living under, whereby a roman soldier could compel them to carry his gear; as was the custom. I explained that to fully understand what scripture is revealing, you need to know the political climate, cultural issues, and religious tempermate of the time that it was written. We have tried to mold scripture to fit into the “box” of western society. It was not not written to us! However it does apply to us; we just need to understand how to apply it. 1st, the Holy Spirit is the spirit of TRUTH, He reveals all things to us. Jesus spent an awful lot of time telling people to have “ears to hear.” Ignorance is not an excuse and far to many times we want to be spoon fed; rather than prepare the meal ourselves. I was saw a markee outside a small country church that stated: The King James was good enough for Paul, then its good enough for us! I laughed at first, then it troubled my heart. I pray we will be led by God and not by men! God Bless.
March 18th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Context is everything. I appreciated Richard Parker’s comment in that we really do rely too much on our own societal experiences instead of brushing up on religious and cultural history. It troubles my heart as well when someone quotes scripture and applies it to a situation, it makes me want to learn even more and dig deeper into the scriptures.
I loved your story with your little girl’s comment, it shows me how even I can’t fathom some of the remarkable events from the bible with my narrow points of reference.
March 18th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
This posting struck a chord with me. I was raised in a denomination that was very legalistic and rule-oriented. I was taught that the KJV was the ONLY REAL version of the Bible and that all other translations were tools of the enemy. Those same pastors that preached this dogma also took so many scriptures out of context that, even as a child, I saw the error and would question my parents about the teaching and they would always defend the teaching because it’s the way “their” church believes. (hmmmm, thought it was God’s church!) Now I study the Word for myself (with the help of an array of Spirit filled, Spirit led teachers, writers and preachers). I’ve learned to not take any one statement as gospel just because it comes from a pulpit or someone who “should know” what they are talking about. I hold that statement up to the Light of the Word and see what He says about it. I am so glad there are different translations and versions to read — I understand and can apply so much more of the scripture to my life and situations now than I ever could with my hands tied to one translation. Don’t misunderstand me, the KJV is still very dear to my heart - most of my memorization is from the KJV, and the beauty and poetry of the old english should not be ignored or discarded. But reading the same chapter out of more than one translation has opened up the Word for me like never before.
March 21st, 2008 at 2:12 pm
What a bright little thing you have there Pastor Bob. It’s good to know she takes her “father” at his word! Well, we’re upon the season where a whole lot is taken “out of context” Jesus death, burial and resurrection. I pray we have open hearts and minds to undestanding the reason, believing it and doing all our best to give back in appreciation for Christ’s awesome act of love. God bless Josephine
March 21st, 2008 at 3:00 pm
There’s lot of people that use the bible for what’s it worth to them,just using part that will work for them , but i know that if you take jesus all the way he’ll be there for you in the beginning and in the end .We as a people of god need to get closer to jesus knowing that if we keep his word and apply his word on a daily basic my lord will see use through , And with that said let us keep jesus first in our lives and only he can and will add on to you what is due to you
Respectfully,Yours
NICHOLASR543@AOL.COM
March 21st, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Every one has there own opinion on this matter but the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and after many years of ministry, the strongest Christian people I know use KJV Bibles only. After many times praying about what the Holy Spirit spoke to me and many confermations on this matter,God spoke to me in a voice that set me free telling me that (the scollars hace striped my word.) I hope this gets put in the way I wrote it and not changed in any way.
Phil Tepely
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:49 am
I have always read the kjv, but lately I have been studying the bible and have been reading other books to help me to study and understand the bible better. I was taught to always go back to the bible to check to find out if what I have read or been told is what God really said. Just reading the bible does not always give yiu a clear understanding of what God was trying to teach us. People can interpret what the bible has said to mean what they want it to say. To truly understand you need a good bible dictionary and encyclopedia and concordance to help you to understand fully what God has said and how it pertains to us in our lives. To read a verse and say you understand it without further study is a mistake. God does not lie but you have to fully understand what he is saying to know the truth. Thank you for your insight.
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Pastor Bob,
I feel the only way to get a true understanding of the bible is to read from as many sources as you can find, and I really enjoy spending hours using a concordance to find comments in other books by other authors who help me understand what God is saying to me. And like one comment stated above, the answers don’t always come today. They come in God’s time, and I have to make sure I am always in tune with HIM so that HE can speak to me when HE is ready, and when HE does speak I can hear and understand what HE needs me to hear. In my small group bible study we may read from many different translations on a certain scripture just to get its full meaning, and like has been said, you have to read several verses before and after to help you understand fully.
I am sorry, but I would think it would be so boring to be limited to just one version and to think that you can discuss scriptures with others and feel that you have the only right answer.
Roger Starbird
March 24th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Pastor Bob,
I think so many people many limit the power in which the word of God has. I, too, agree that God’s word should be rightfully divided, but I feel that His word is anointed by the Holy Spirit and that it should not matter what version you read. God’s word is powerful and He is very capable to perform that which it has been written to do and what it truely means. What’s important is that we read, study and most of all believe what it says and in whom has truely authored it. Praise the Lord for His Holy Word!
April 17th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Pastor Bob, really what I think doesn’t matter:) The truth is as you laid it out so nicely … keep scripture in context. Enough said!:)
Barry
May 17th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I agree wholeheartedly that as many different versions there are, they all are available for our edification. The Bible is God’s unfailing truth. I have just enrolled in the classes here at Chirstian Living Ministry, I have found the Theophilos program to be very useful. It makes it extremely easy to compare scripture. I know that I can read very little Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic, so that really makes all versions of the Bible other than the original texts, unauthorized.
I would like to think that God, wants us to know the truth, no matter how it is written.
I am currently looking for one written in crayon. I am not the smartest bulb in the box.