[paraclete]

All excellent questions. I'm interested in what is the authoritative text. You mentioned it, too. I'm sure for paraclete it's the Bible, but I'm interested in which edition/version/language etc., etc. etc.

Athos, There are some paraphrases, but I use the NIV and the ESV and because there is only one language I understand, an english text. I don't use the KJV although many verses that come to mind can be found there, but the language is archaic and therefore not clear to me. I once ran a Christian bookshop so I am well aware of the differences in the various texts but if you use a parallel Bible you will find the differences are few

[talaniman]

I wonder if the same applies for India, Asia, Africa, and other non English countries around the world, given both ancient and modern dialects and language additions and advances over time.

The imperfection of man would seem to allow for imperfect translation and close is good enough?

[jlisenbe]

The imperfection of man would seem to allow for imperfect translation and close is good enough?

The accurate transmission of the NT over the centuries was amazingly good. Estimates of the correct wording of the text ranges from 95% up to 98%, and even at that the relatively small portion in question is generally not doctrinally critical. There is, for instance, the latter half of the 16th chapter of Mark. Lose that, and it effects our understanding of the truth of the Gospel message scarcely at all. Same thing is true of the story of the woman caught in adultery. Might add that there has been no effort to conceal any of this. The NASB, for instance, highlights any of those areas of concern for all to see.

[jlisenbe]

Back to the economy, job growth in May was the best ever. Even CNBC had to praise this recovery. "Employment stunningly rose by 2.5 million in May and the jobless rate declined to 13.3%, according to data Friday from the Labor Department that was far better than economists had been expecting and indicated that an economic turnaround could be close at hand.Economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been expecting payrolls to drop by 8.33 million and the unemployment rate to rise to 19.5% from April’s 14.7%. If Wall Street expectations had been accurate, it would have been the worst figure since the Great Depression.


As it turned out, May’s numbers showed the U.S. may well be on the road to recovery after its fastest plunge in history."

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/05/jobs...-may-2020.html

[Athos]

Athos, There are some paraphrases, but I use the NIV and the ESV and because there is only one language I understand, an english text.

Thanks for reply. By "authoritative text" I thought you meant a particular version. But, if I understand you, you are saying there are two "authoritative texts"? Did you initially mean to say two?

In any case, your answer creates further questions. (This is NOT a challenge to your belief - just trying to figure out your meaning). Would the English text of NIV or ESV be more authoritative than other English versions? You mentioned you only read English, so does that mean Bibles in other languages that you can't read are therefore less authoritative - or are you simply saying authoritative for you, not everybody?

Would your preferred versions be more authoritative than Bibles closer in time and language to the original versions?

I don't use the KJV although many verses that come to mind can be found there, but the language is archaic and therefore not clear to me. I once ran a Christian bookshop so I am well aware of the differences in the various texts but if you use a parallel Bible you will find the differences are few

Actually, the differences from the originals and ancient copies due to so many copyists over the centuries are many, but I agree they they are mostly insignificant for purposes of faith. But that's not the issue here. I'm trying to find out if there is a single authoritative text accepted by the majority of Christians regardless of language.

PS - Please see #211 on Manifestation thread as reply to you on different but related subject. I assume you missed it.

[jlisenbe]

Do you mean an English text, or NT Greek?

[talaniman]

As it turned out, May’s numbers showed the U.S. may well be on the road to recovery after its fastest plunge in history."

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/05/jobs...-may-2020.html

When it comes to the money, good news is good news, but on our way may take a few more of these good news announcements before we really can celebrate. LOL, we should have something good going after pumping trillions into peoples pockets!

[jlisenbe]

but on our way may take a few more of these good news announcements before we really can celebrate.

That is certainly true. Still, it was a stunning and unexpected development.

LOL, we should have something good going after pumping trillions into peoples pockets!

For most people, it was a total waste of borrowed money that will burden our grandchildren til the day they die. We should all, dems and repubs, hang our heads in shame. It was little more than an attempt to get votes.

[talaniman]

That is certainly true. Still, it was a stunning and unexpected development.

For most people, it was a total waste of borrowed money that will burden our grandchildren til the day they die. We should all, dems and repubs, hang our heads in shame. It was little more than an attempt to get votes.

A bi partisan attempt for sure, but that amount of money had to help the numbers somehow, at least in the short term.

[jlisenbe]

Could be. We'll see, but check with your grandkids in thirty or forty years and see how they view it.

[talaniman]

Glad you think I'll be around for that. 8D

[jlisenbe]

Could be! I don't know, though. My dear father lived to 101, but the final couple of years were kind of tough, and the final few months were really difficult. I miss him a lot, but I don't regret his passing. It was time. I know where he is.

[talaniman]

How much of the debt is being paid by us now?

[jlisenbe]

None. We are only paying the interest. We are borrowing more and more, not repaying.

[talaniman]

Then logically the generation holding the ball this generation has made will be the one cussing our incompetence. Print more money, and save the future people from doing it, and they can make their own debts if they didn't learn from our mistakes!

[jlisenbe]

Print more money = jack up inflation.

[talaniman]

So what, something or somebody has to eventually get jacked.

[jlisenbe]

Or we could learn to do the responsible thing and pay for what we want.

[talaniman]

HOW? CUT WHAT? Pay with what money? How much? How LONG? What are you willing to give up?

[jlisenbe]

HOW? CUT WHAT? Pay with what money? How much? How LONG? What are you willing to give up?

You do realize it's coming sooner or later. When the economy falls apart due to an excessive debt load, then the choices we face now will seem tame.

What to cut? Everything. Start with 15% across the board.