Thank you Ellie. It's nice to meet someone from a neighboring state.
As for me being experienced, I have to laugh, because that reminds me I'm experienced in making lots of mistakes. I also grew up with older siblings, so I have always felt young. I'm slowly realizing that when I meet with people, I'm often the older or oldest. It's good for my humility! My son and daughter are in their 20's. I don't know if they have been on this site yet, but I plan to mention it to them. I think I've shared at least one of Chris' article links recently.
Regarding Geneva, I'm glad you asked why I like it, because it’s important for any group to decide what version(s) it uses and to share that up front. Since you mentioned Chris’ book on KJV, yes, I have read and appreciate it. And I’ve previously spent hours reading and studying the history of both translations.
First, I prefer to only use Geneva and KJV. Let me say there are various reasons I prefer Geneva. But I also use the KJV, partly because Geneva has some spellings and vernacular that can be hard to understand. In fact, so far in a couple posts I have only quoted the KJV, out of respect, because that seems to be the primary version this group uses. And there is something to be said for people being on the same page.
Similarly, I also like Chris’ title of “Why I use the KJV,” because he speaks for himself. There is a big difference between Chris or me or anyone giving reasons why they use one version, versus telling others not to use any other version. If it happens this group has agreed to that position for the KJV, then I would respectfully not participate. I hope that’s not the case. And I don’t think that’s the case, because I’ve seen at least one other post referring to reading Geneva.
Since you mention you know very little about Geneva, I would encourage you to learn about it for at least an hour, so my preview doesn’t sway you in any direction. It’s a fascinating topic, given it involves many of our republic’s great founders. I also prefer not to say all other versions than the KJV are ‘corrupt,’ because that would include the Geneva, for which you mention knowing very little. I hope you will agree as you read it and read about it. In fact, the Geneva came before KJV, and KJV used much of Geneva’s translation. They are very similar versions, and much more similar to each other than the ‘new age’ versions. I do agree the ‘new age’ versions are corrupt, because of the motives behind them and the sheer number and seriousness of deception.
Since you left a link to Chris’ book, I just did a quick search of Geneva. It looks like Chris has only one paragraph with one concern about Geneva regarding one word. I do think it’s concerning in reading that paragraph that apparently there have been people who wrote to him claiming CLE should only use the Geneva. Similarly, I think it would be concerning to hold the opposite position. I also think it’s important for us to be equally critical of the KJV and Geneva.
As one preview of a reason for preferring Geneva, you may discover that it appears King James set at least one improper rule for his KJV translators. It required them to translate the Greek word ‘ecclesia’ as ‘church’ and not its meaning of community. It appears the king’s motives were wrong, which is not surprising given his abuse of the evil divine right of king concept. I also question why the translators agreed to that. There were other men of outstanding character, including founders of this republic, who were willing to go to great lengths not to bow to a man, or be a respecter of man. That practice reminds me of the new age translations, where the publishers are constantly paying translators to revise versions, to sell more books.
As one other preview of a reason for preferring Geneva, and on a more positive note, I greatly admire a lot of this nation's forefathers. Many of them preferred the Geneva over the KJV. So that is one interesting thing to read about. I admire people who obeyed God in seeking justice and trying to escape a politician, sometimes risking their lives. For example, I wonder how many believers would feel about a Joe Biden bible, or a bible named after any other politician, even if the translation seemed more accurate than others. I've found online that many people who adamantly support the KJV seem to discount a lot of the major flaws of the King. But everyone can agree he had believed in the absurdly evil concept of the divine right of kings, and that idea had enormous negative implications. It seems to me that while the KJV translators came up with a very accurate version, like the Geneva, there should have been much concern about a politician putting his name on it. It certainly seems that pride led to the king naming the book after himself, or calling it authorized (by himself), as if Geneva and other version were unauthorized by God. Ironically, one of my first discussions here has been about how important the source of Truth is. So as we put ourselves in others’ shoes, it's not hard to see the struggle some people may have today, especially nonbelievers, in considering reading a book that comes across as endorsing or being influenced by a politician, especially someone who believed in something as absurd as divine right of kings.
I will always wish the KVJ had been named better and not been associated with that king, since God says we are not to associate with evil or with people of certain character. I understand some people try to excuse that by saying it’s the Authorized Version, but that name sounds just as snooty and suspect. So I read the KJV with respect, but I hold my nose thinking about the title. To try to use a funny analogy with Chris’ Telegram, naming a bible after the corrupt king seems like a Deep State move, whereas the Geneva maybe could be compared more to the grassroots decentralized version of bitcoin.
Oh, I see you had one more question about what I've learned. One thing is it's great simply to get other believers' perspectives. The other thing that comes to mind are Chris' 2 books on Devil's Church and Music. They are really detailed and get to the heart of two critical deceptions, which helps all of us.
By the way, since I notice you're a moderator, I wonder if you can please show me how to mark someone's post as encouraging. I saw some mention of it, but now I can't find it.
Hope I answered your questions. I look forward to learning more about people in this group. So are you originally from Alabama? How long have you been in the group? What is your favorite part of the group calls?
Godspeed.
Show Posts