Here is the next lesson in a historical and faithful study
beginning at 7:00 pm on Wednesday evenings.
at the church of Christ in Carthage, Missouri, south of the Ford dealership.
PLEASE JOIN US!
beginning at 7:00 pm on Wednesday evenings.
at the church of Christ in Carthage, Missouri, south of the Ford dealership.
PLEASE JOIN US!
The Big Questions
Our focus for this study hinges on answering these two big questions. The goal is to get closer to the answers each week in our class.
Our focus for this study hinges on answering these two big questions. The goal is to get closer to the answers each week in our class.
How did we we get the Bible?
Is the Bible accurate and dependable?
Is the Bible accurate and dependable?
Introductory, Guiding Questions
|
|
So how important is it to you that the Bible can be proven true? Do you believe there is irrefutable evidence to its validity? Is proof something that strengthens your personal faith in the existence of God?
Should faith alone be enough to drive you to drive you to your knees? Is "blind" faith a stronger kind of faith? If so, then why did God provide so much evidence?
Should faith alone be enough to drive you to drive you to your knees? Is "blind" faith a stronger kind of faith? If so, then why did God provide so much evidence?
In the early 1700s, a different culture was brought to South Carolina shores. The Gullah culture still exists in pockets, but their unique experiences with slavery and survival are present in much of today's African American culture. It has been said that the Gullah people are the nearest link to Africa we have in the United States.
This culture was well established and still developing in the cotton and rice fields of South Carolina while Francis Marion was mounting his surprise attacks on the British during the latter half of the 18th century. Brought to the U.S. for their expertise in the rice fields, these people continued to survive in the islands for many years, but slowly the culture is dying out.
This culture was well established and still developing in the cotton and rice fields of South Carolina while Francis Marion was mounting his surprise attacks on the British during the latter half of the 18th century. Brought to the U.S. for their expertise in the rice fields, these people continued to survive in the islands for many years, but slowly the culture is dying out.
In 2005, the first full translation of the New Testament into the Gullah (also called Geechee or Sea Island Creole) language was produced. I received my copy two years later. It can be purchased online, but it also available in your browser at the Gullah Bible website.
| | | You are probably familiar with at least one Gullah song: Kumbaya: Kumbaya, my Lord, kumbaya |
| The preface includes this information: This translation should not be seen as a Gullah version of any specific English translation, but rather is based on the original Greek manuscripts. Several English Bible translations were used for reference in the translation process, but the foundation of this translation is the Greek text, according to our best understanding today as to its original form. The goal has been to make a translation from the original language into Gullah that is clear in meaning, accurate, and natural in its expression. | |
It can be understood by English speakers. In fact, someone unfamiliar with the language is forced to slow down and consider each word and its meaning. It is not often that one can read an unfamiliar language and understand it. Try for yourself with this passage from Matthew 14:
25 So late een de night, sometime atta shree o'clock, Jedus gone out ta e ciple dem. E beena waak pontop de wata.
26 Wen de ciple dem see Jedus da waak pontop de wata, dey been scaid ta det. Dey say, “Dat a haant!” An dey holla loud cause dey been so scaid.
27 Jedus speak op fast. E tell um say, “Study yasef! Dis me! Mus dohn be scaid!”
28 Den Peter tell um say, “Lawd, ef dat ya fa true, mus chaage me fa come out pontop de wata fa meet ya.”
29 Jedus say, “Come!” So den Peter git out de boat an waak pontop de wata ta Jedus.
30 Bot wen Peter feel de scrong wind, e been scaid. An e staat fa sink down eenta de wata. E holla say, “Lawd, sabe me!”
31 Jes den Jedus scretch out e han an grab hole ta Peter. E tell Peter say, “Ya ain bleebe pon me no mo den jes a leetle bit! Wa mek ya doubt?”
32 Den de two ob dem git eenta de boat an de wind stop. 33De ciple dem een de boat woshup Jedus an say, “Fa true, ya God Son!
Interested in learning more about this incredible culture? Check out the Ultimate Gullah website.
 | Chapter 10 of Neil Lightfoot's book, How We Got the Bible, is titled Restoring the New Testament Text. The introduction to the chapter explains that by consulting "a number of manuscripts and authorities and by comparison reconstruct a text which we feel is like the original": ...[W]e will be assured of getting much closer to the original New Testament autographs. For this reason [this] course has always been followed in the printing of the Greek New Testament. This means that our modern text is an edition of the New Testament text restored through all the aids of textual criticism. What are the sources used in restoring the primitive text?
|
Application Question
How important is it?
Is it important to you that the Bible comes from reliable sources, or is it just a collection of wise sayings and advice for living? Many atheists agree that there is wisdom in the teachings of Jesus Christ, but they do not believe that Jesus is a Messiah, that He performed miracles, that He walked out of His own grave, or that He prepares a place where His faithful disciples will be rewarded for eternity.
We contend that the Bible and everything it contains is supported by:
We contend that the Bible and everything it contains is supported by:
|
|
|
Go forward with us - or in this case, back to the beginning - as we continue our study next time.
