Jeremiah Ames
Well-Known Member
What bible would that be? The Christian bible refers to Hell dozens of times.
Interesting statement. You make such lengthy arguments to support “your” hell. I find it difficult and did not want to respond, but felt led to do so.
“The Christian bible” is a pretty vague statement, IMO.
THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE would no doubt refer to the original autographs, which do not exist.
Lacking the originals, one would then have to put together the earliest manuscripts. I am aware of Greek, Hebrew, Latin, and Aramaic manuscripts. I suppose there could be some early ones in other languages. The problem is I cannot read those languages. Unfortunately I must rely on translated copies of translations and copies. Wikipedia lists 107 different translations of the COMPLETE bible, and more partial translations.
Every translation has errors and every translation has mistranslations. And it is evident to bible scholars that many of the mistranslations were intentional. So, there is no such thing as “the Christian Bible”. But there are many many books that have words written by many many different people over centuries of time, that are called bibles.
As a baby Christian years ago, I assumed a bible was a bible, and they all were the word of God. As time progressed, I discovered inconsistencies, errors, and other problems. As a result, I now have access to many many bible translations. And I constantly shift between them when studying. In doing this, I would discover quite significant differences at times, some so significant they actually are opposing each other. In these cases, I must do more research and study, to attempt to arrive at the author’s intended meaning. In conclusion, my version would agree with your version, whichever it may be, probably in excess of 95%.
It’s the remaining percentage that would cause us to disagree sometimes. Not always even then. And in the long run, none of it would matter. Not to me anyway. But to you it might.
It wouldn’t matter to me, because I am quite comfortable in my understanding. And my understanding gives me the peace to know I will see you in heaven. Unfortunately, it appears that you would be just as much at peace to see me somewhere else.
I spend many hours each day studying the Bible. It almost doesn’t make sense to think about it. I remember years ago when I first believed in Jesus, I thought one reading of the bible would be the end of it. Wow, was I wrong. The more you read, the more you realize you don’t know anywhere near what you thought you knew, and then you need to read and study more. And the cycle continues. But I will say one thing, it is exciting. Very exciting. That’s the word I like to use, because it describes the feeling perfectly of reading the Bible and discovering something new in a verse that you read many times before. That spark of new knowledge is exciting to me.
After quite a bit of research and study, I find no evidence of hell.
I stick to my earlier statement regarding truth. The evidence I speak of is the bible and the Word of God. Those are two different things, you know?
I read something from one of the sources I use which I found interesting:
“It is a vengeful, angry, hypocritical, and selfish person who desires "eternal punishment" for those whom THEY deem worthy of such cruelties, not God.”
Those aren’t my words and I am not applying them to you.
A final thought from me to you:
I meant no disrespect and did not intend to upset anyone with my OP. I sincerely wish you all the best, and hope that my words can be used to stimulate you into more study of the Bible and the Word of God. I have found that when people agree with what I say, I cannot learn and grow. When people hit me with something new or something I don’t believe, then I am forced to learn and grow.
God bless.
BTW, I’m not a JW or any other denomination for that matter.
However, I spent some of my best church experiences in Baptist churches. Great people. I love them all.