Matthew 27:46

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is to say, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”

SOURCE

https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Matthew%2027%3A4

I don’t read the Bible. However, it interests me that many people do. It is held in great esteem by many of its fans and this fact piques my curiosity.

The link provided offer a page which lists about 60 versions of the Bible. Yesterday, a woman on Facebook tried to shame me for not knowing my Bible. Naturally, I asked “which one?”.

The Mathew quote is just one biblical passage that resonates with me. My mother, a devout Catholic, expressed the same disappointment on her death bed hours before she died. Her words struck me because they were that last thing I expected to hear from her given her unshakable faith. Days before, she stated her disappointment that none of her five children are Catholics or practicing any Christian religion.

When I was a teen and student at a private Jesuit boys school, Religion was a required subject and the Bible was central to that course. The teen Gene likely had good familiarity which its stories and lessons but the senior Gene retains a paper thin version. This is because the Bible has not made it to my reading list since the early 1960s. Instead, A Course In Miracles has not left my bedside table in many years.

Why so many versions?

For questions like this, I turn to GROK.

The Bible’s origin spans centuries, cultures, and languages, rooted in the religious, historical, and literary traditions of ancient Israel, early Judaism, and early Christianity. It’s a collection of texts, not a single book, written by numerous authors over roughly 1,500 years, from around 1200 BCE to 100 CE. The Bible is divided into two main parts: the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament for Christians) and the New Testament.

Origin of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)

• Composition: The Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh, comprises the Torah (Law), Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings). These texts were written primarily in Hebrew, with some Aramaic sections, by various authors including priests, prophets, scribes, and poets. They include creation narratives, laws, historical accounts, poetry, and prophecies.

  • Torah: Traditionally attributed to Moses (c. 13th–12th century BCE), though modern scholarship suggests it was compiled later, possibly during or after the Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE).

  • Prophets and Writings: These emerged over centuries, reflecting Israel’s history, theology, and wisdom literature, finalized around the 2nd century BCE.

• Canonization: The Hebrew Bible’s canon was gradually established by Jewish scholars, likely by the 1st century CE, with texts selected based on religious authority, usage in worship, and theological consistency.

• Cultural Context: The texts reflect Israel’s covenant with God, shaped by interactions with surrounding cultures (Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Canaanite) and historical events like the Exodus, monarchy, exile, and return.

Origin of the New Testament

• Composition: Written in Greek between c. 50–100 CE, the New Testament includes the Gospels (accounts of Jesus’ life), Acts (early church history), Epistles (letters by Paul and others), and Revelation (apocalyptic prophecy). Authors were early Christian leaders, many anonymous or pseudonymous, writing for specific communities.

• Canonization: By the 4th century CE, church councils (e.g., Nicaea, Carthage) formalized the 27-book canon, selecting texts based on apostolic authorship, orthodoxy, and widespread use. Some texts, like the Gnostic Gospels, were excluded.

• Cultural Context: The New Testament emerged in the Greco-Roman world, blending Jewish theology with Hellenistic philosophy, centered on Jesus as the Messiah.

Why So Many Versions Today?

The Bible exists in numerous versions due to translation, textual variations, and interpretive choices over centuries. Here’s why:

1. Source Text Variations:

   • Hebrew Bible: Ancient manuscripts like the Dead Sea Scrolls (c. 3rd century BCE–1st century CE) and the Masoretic Text (c. 7th–10th century CE) show minor differences due to copying errors or scribal edits.

   • New Testament: Thousands of Greek manuscripts (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus) exist, with slight variations from manual copying. No single “original” exists, so scholars reconstruct texts using textual criticism.

   • Septuagint: A Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible (3rd–2nd century BCE) used by early Christians, it sometimes differs from the Masoretic Text, affecting translations.

2. Translation Challenges:

   • The Bible has been translated into over 3,500 languages (per Wycliffe Global Alliance, 2023). Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek idioms don’t always map neatly to other languages, leading to interpretive choices.

   • Translators balance literal accuracy (word-for-word, e.g., NASB) vs. dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought, e.g., NIV), resulting in different phrasings.

   • Example: The Hebrew word nephesh can mean “soul,” “life,” or “person,” depending on context, prompting varied translations.

3. Denominational and Cultural Needs:

   • Different Christian denominations prioritize certain texts or interpretations. For example:

     • Catholic Bibles include the Deuterocanonical books (e.g., Tobit, Maccabees), accepted in the Septuagint but excluded from Protestant canons based on the Masoretic Text.

     • Orthodox Bibles may include additional texts like 3 Maccabees.

   • Modern versions (e.g., The Message) aim for accessibility, using contemporary language for broader audiences, while others (e.g., ESV) cater to traditionalist or scholarly readers.

4. Historical Developments:

   • Early translations like the Latin Vulgate (4th century CE) dominated for centuries but were later supplemented by vernacular versions (e.g., Wycliffe’s Bible, 14th century; Luther’s German Bible, 16th century).

   • The Reformation and printing press spurred widespread translation, with figures like Tyndale emphasizing direct access to scripture.

   • Discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls (1947) and advances in linguistics refined modern translations, correcting earlier errors.

5. Specialized Versions:

   • Some versions target specific audiences: study Bibles (with notes, e.g., NIV Study Bible), children’s Bibles, or paraphrases (e.g., The Living Bible).

   • Inclusive language versions (e.g., NRSV) adjust gender-specific terms to reflect modern sensibilities, sparking debate among traditionalists.

Key Examples of Modern Versions

• King James Version (KJV, 1611): Formal, based on limited manuscripts; revered for literary style but less accurate by modern standards.

• New International Version (NIV, 1978): Balances readability and accuracy, widely used by evangelicals.

• English Standard Version (ESV, 2001): Literal, popular in conservative circles.

• New Revised Standard Version (NRSV, 1989): Scholarly, inclusive, used in academia and mainline churches.

• The Message (2002): Paraphrase, conversational, for casual readers.

Summary

The Bible originated as sacred texts of Judaism and Christianity, compiled over centuries in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Its many versions today stem from textual variations, translation challenges, denominational differences, and evolving linguistic and cultural needs. Each version reflects choices about fidelity to ancient manuscripts, readability, and theological priorities, ensuring the Bible remains a living text for diverse global audiences.

The Word of God?

Devotees of the Bible claim it is the “Word of God” because they believe it is divinely inspired or authored, serving as God’s authoritative revelation to humanity. This belief is rooted in theological convictions, scriptural passages, and religious traditions within Judaism and Christianity. Below, I’ll explain the reasons for this claim and what devotees mean by it, keeping the response concise yet comprehensive.

Why Devotees Claim the Bible Is the Word of God

1. Scriptural Assertions:

   • The Bible itself claims divine origin in several passages, which devotees take as evidence:

     • 2 Timothy 3:16 (New Testament): “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (NIV). This suggests God inspired the texts.

     • 2 Peter 1:21: “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (NIV).

     • Hebrew Bible: Prophets often prefaced messages with “Thus says the Lord” (e.g., Isaiah 1:2), implying God’s direct communication.

   • Devotees view these verses as self-authenticating, reinforcing the Bible’s divine authority.

2. Theological Tradition:

   • Judaism: The Torah is seen as God’s covenant with Israel, given directly to Moses at Sinai (Exodus 19–20). Rabbinic tradition holds that the Hebrew Bible reflects God’s will, even if mediated through human authors.

   • Christianity: Early church fathers (e.g., Augustine, Origen) and later theologians (e.g., Calvin, Luther) affirmed the Bible’s divine inspiration. The doctrine of inspiration holds that God guided human authors to convey His message, preserving its truth.

   • Infallibility/Inerrancy: Many Christians, especially evangelicals, believe the Bible is infallible (trustworthy in matters of faith and practice) or inerrant (free from error in its original manuscripts), supporting its divine origin.

3. Spiritual Experience:

   • Devotees often report personal encounters with God through reading the Bible, feeling it speaks directly to their lives. This transformative power is seen as evidence of its divine nature.

   • For example, the Bible’s ability to convict, comfort, or guide (e.g., Psalms 23, Romans 8) is attributed to God’s voice within the text.

4. Historical and Cultural Impact:

   • The Bible’s enduring influence across centuries, cultures, and languages (translated into over 3,500 languages, per Wycliffe Global Alliance, 2023) is seen as a sign of divine providence.

   • Its role in shaping moral frameworks, laws, and civilizations reinforces devotees’ belief in its supernatural origin.

5. Prophetic Fulfillment:

   • Devotees point to fulfilled prophecies (e.g., Isaiah 53’s depiction of a suffering servant, seen by Christians as predicting Jesus) as evidence of divine authorship, arguing human authors couldn’t foresee such events without God’s guidance.

What Devotees Mean by “Word of God”

The phrase “Word of God” carries nuanced meanings depending on the devotee’s tradition, but generally, it implies:

1. Divine Inspiration:

   • The Bible is not merely human writing but is inspired by God. This doesn’t mean God dictated every word (except in cases like the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20) but that the Holy Spirit guided authors to convey God’s truth.

   • The process is often described as theopneustos (God-breathed, from 2 Timothy 3:16), meaning God worked through human language, culture, and personality to produce the text.

2. Authoritative Revelation:

   • The Bible is God’s primary means of revealing His nature, will, and plan for humanity. It contains:

     • Theological truths: God’s character (e.g., loving, just) and humanity’s relationship to Him.

     • Moral guidance: Laws and teachings (e.g., the Ten Commandments, Sermon on the Mount).

     • Salvation history: For Christians, the narrative of redemption through Jesus; for Jews, the covenant with Israel.

   • Devotees see it as the ultimate standard for faith and practice, superseding human reason or tradition.

3. Living and Active:

   • Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as “living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword.” Devotees believe the Bible is not just historical but dynamically relevant, with God speaking through it today.

   • This can mean spiritual conviction, guidance, or insight when reading, often tied to prayer or worship.

4. Christological Meaning (Christianity):

   • In Christianity, “Word of God” also refers to Jesus (John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word”). The Bible is the written Word, pointing to Jesus as the living Word. Thus, the Bible’s authority derives from its testimony to Christ.

   • This distinguishes Christian views from Jewish ones, where the Torah itself is the central divine expression.

5. Variations in Interpretation:

   • Literalists (e.g., some evangelicals): The Bible is God’s exact words, inerrant in every detail, including science and history.

   • Mainline Protestants/Catholics: Inspiration allows for human context, with the Bible conveying spiritual truths rather than literal accuracy in all matters.

   • Orthodox: The Bible is inspired but interpreted through church tradition and liturgy.

   • Jewish Views: The Torah is God’s direct word, but other texts (Prophets, Writings) may be seen as divinely inspired to lesser degrees, with ongoing interpretation via the Oral Torah (Talmud).

Challenges and Context

• Skeptics’ View: Critics argue the Bible’s human authorship, textual variations (e.g., differences in ancient manuscripts), and historical context undermine claims of divine origin. Devotees counter that God worked through imperfect human processes to convey eternal truths.

• Diversity of Belief: Not all devotees agree on the extent of inspiration. For example, some accept minor errors in historical details while upholding spiritual authority, while others insist on total inerrancy.

• Cultural Lens: The claim reflects faith commitments, often shaped by community and upbringing, rather than empirical proof, which can make it less persuasive to nonbelievers.

Summary

Devotees call the Bible the “Word of God” because they believe it is divinely inspired, authoritative, and uniquely capable of revealing God’s will and transforming lives. This claim rests on scriptural self-attestation, theological tradition, personal experience, and the Bible’s historical impact. By “Word of God,” they mean it is God’s revelation, inspired by Him, authoritative for faith, and, for Christians, a witness to Jesus as the ultimate Word. The exact meaning varies by tradition, ranging from literal inerrancy to contextual inspiration.

A Tiny Mad Idea.

I recently completed a philosophy paper and submitted it to the Journal of Consciousness Studies (UK). I hope it will be published soon. It introduces ideas that were inspired by my reading and study of A Course In Miracles during the 1990s.

The title is The MINDVERSE Hypothesis, An Unexplored Investigation of Creation, Reality & Mind.

To the lady who criticized my lack of Bible knowledge, I wish I could encourage her to read my paper so that she may become a little more tolerant of people who do not think like her.

I will let you know if it becomes published. Meanwhile, I will send a pdf copy (25 pages) to anyone who requests it.