As far as rules for Bible Study itself, there are two simple rules:
1) All assertions are upheld or overthrown by study of the King James Bible or its supporting texts.
- We assume that the KJV is the preserved Inspired Word of God in English (axiomatic for the purposes of this set of rules)
- Anything can be discussed, other versions, church doctrines, etc., but the final authority for discussion in these boards is the KJV
- We have a translations forum which is primarily focused on KVJ issues, please participate!
- We are not telling you which translation you must use for your study, nor that you are going to hell if you have read / been saved through the reading of / received a word from the Holy Spirt through another version, or versions of the Hebrew or Greek texts be they majority, minority, or other. However, if you wish to participate in these forums, and discuss doctrine, preach, teach, or otherwise comment, you must use the King James. I believe that most Bible students use the King James at least as a reference, so this should not be too much of a hardship.
- We are not specific proponents of the teachings or methods of any particular person. Ones you may have heard of are: Benjamin G. Wilkinson, J. J. Ray, Peter S. Ruckman, Gail Riplinger, or David Cloud. Surely these people will be discusses in the forums.
2) Every post must be informational. If you can only take time to say "prove that," or, "You should read this book on the subject," please don't post. Rather, include your point of view and belief, how you derived it, and why others should consider it.
Example: "I think that what you have said is not completely founded. I am, however, interested in this doctrine [whatever] because it differs from the common modern belief that [whatever] which I believe results in a lazy attitude toward [...]. [include exerpts, links, etc] I am not sure the doctrine is completely correct: I think that [this passage] is Jesus making a differing statement... " In other words, if you disagree, tell us that with which you do in fact agree.
This and any rules or policies I/we make are open to debate and discussion. These might seem excessive... they do even to me, but as a number of us can attest: the most brutal, awful, and downright nasty forums are religious or political. We aim to nip that aspect in the bud.
--gabe
PS: I guess I knew this, but there is a general animosity toward the KJO crowd. Probably because in the KJO crowd there is a general animosity toward everyone else. I think that it is really a means for Satan to finally obliterate the use of the King James... to once again take the Word of God from the common man. It is really amazing to me, and it is obvious (to me anyway) that it is not a doctrine, or an opinion that people fight in the King James issue, but a spirit. I never thought that before, but as of the start of 7xSunday, it seems evident to me.
I really do not mean to take up the sword of the KJO crowd. I am not like that. I am much more open-minded than... well, probably than I should be. My insistence on the King James is based on two things:
1) the evidence that I have seen regarding the Bible versions issue.
2) the amazingly effective tool that the KJV has been for me.
We need a standard for the site, and I set it as King James... perhaps too forcefully, or without explanation. That said, I will assert that we humans must come to conclusions based on evidence. There is internal evidence of the quality of any translation (eg: is it readable?), and there is external evidence (eg: is it faithful to the original?) Both types are important. I'll try not to throw out the baby with the bathwater...
This is a site dedicated to Bible Study. I have chosen the King James. If you like a certain version's wording better, present it. Your perspective will be considered, and it will either stand or fall apart from the King James. The King James is, I believe, the quickest route to figuring out what will stand and what will fall.
If for no other purpose, for expediancy...to abstract all the study and investment that has gone on before us, use the King Jimmy. That way we can spend more time searching out the scripture. Ultimately I hope that the Bible Study forum is more active than the translation issues forum
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