Truth Magazine

By Ronny Milliner

What is the relationship that the Christian is to have with the world? Paul answers, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2).

The Work — Negative

Paul approaches this responsibility first from a negative standpoint. We are not to be conformed to the world. The word “conform” means “to fashion or shape one thing like another. . . . This verb has more especial reference to that which is transitory, changeable, unstable” (Vine, p.227). The ways of the world are unstable compared to God’s ways. We must not allow ourselves to be poured into its mold.

There are a number of areas in which it can be easy for us to become like the world. We can conform to the world in our dialogue. As surely as Peter’s Galilean accent gave him away (Mk. 14:70), our speech will identify us with either the world or God. The speech of the world is characterized by “corrupt communication,” “filthiness,” “foolish talking, ” and “coarse jesting” (Eph. 4:29; 5:4). Our speech should be edifying and contain giving of thanks.

We can also conform to the world in our dress. Some become so fashion-minded that they set aside principles of decency and modesty in order to be like the world. The godly person will dress in “modest apparel, with propriety and moderation” (1 Tim. 2:9-10). A Christian will realize the importance of inward adornment over outward adornment (1 Pet. 3:3-4).

We can conform to the world in our deeds. The works of the flesh are in clear contrast to the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:19-23). Yet these deeds will sometimes be found in the lives of Christians. When they are found, it is because we have conformed to the world

The Work — Positive

Not being conformed to the world means we win be “transformed.” The Greek word metamorphoo (from which we get metamorphosis) is a compound word. The first part of the word implies change, and the latter half means “form.” So the Christian is “to change into another form” (Vine, p. 148).

The Christian is one who has changed. He is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). He is a new man (Eph. 4:22-24). He wears a new name (Isa. 62:2; Acts 11:26). He walks “in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). Why would one want to go back to the old fife of sin (2 Pet. 2:20-22)?

The Way

How can one make this important change? How can we avoid falling into the trap of conforming to the world? Paul says we must have a renewing of the mind. We must have an “adjustment of the moral and spiritual vision and thinking to the mind of God, which is designed to have a transforming effect upon the life” (Vine, p. 279).

Renewing the mind will involve us in a change of awareness. There are some things of which the world is aware. But there are some things of which the Christian is aware that the world is not aware (cf. 1 Cor. 8:4,7). Part of our responsibility is to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Renewing the mind-will involve us in a change of affection. The world loves itself and the things of the world (1 Jn. 2:15-16). The Christian loves God with all of his heart, soul, strength, and mind (Lk. 10:27).

Renewing the mind will also involve us in a change of aspiration. Those in the world aspire to many things. Paul describes the Christian’s aspiration in Colossians 3:1-2. He admonishes, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

The Wish

The one who makes these changes in his life will d6prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Notice the traits of God’s will. It is good or beneficial. It is acceptable, or literally, well-pleasing. And it is perfect, complete, or f1mished. How does this compare with the ways of the world? There is no comparison.

When a Christian does not conform to the world, but is transformed, he is putting the will of God to a test. Such a life shows the character of God’s will, that it is best.

Conclusion

Paul did not admonish the Roman Christians, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” He urged them to a better way. “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 Jn. 2:17).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 296, 303
May 16, 1985

By Luther W. Martin

Some versions of the New Testament were produced in order to promote a specific religious teaching. Others were published to hopefully cam profits for the publisher. Still others were written for the honorable and sincere purpose of spreading the Gospel of Christ and making it possible for a greater number of readers to enjoy and actually benefit from the study of the Scripture.

The Living Bible – Paraphrased

Definition: “paraphrase – To reproduce the sense of, in other terms. A restatement or free translation of a passage or work.” Note that a paraphrase is a “free” translation, the opposite of a “strict” translation. We copy, below, a paragraph from the preface of the Living Bible, which in turn was adapted from the preface to the first edition of Living Letters:

There are dangers in paraphrases, as well as values. For whenever the author’s exact words are not translated from the original languages, there is a possibility that the translator, however honest, may be giving the English reader something that the original writer did not mean to say. This is because a paraphrase is guided not only by the translator’s skill in simplifying but also by the clarity of his understanding of what the author meant and by his theology. For when the Greek and Hebrew is not clear, then the theology of the translator is his guide, along with his sense of logic, unless perchance the translation is allowed to stand without any clear meaning at all. The theological lodestar in this book has been a rigid evangelical position.

This paraphrased version is the work of a premillennial Baptist, Mr. Kenneth Taylor. I suggest that it is practically

impossible for a “one-man-translation” to be free from the influence and bias of the translator’s own belief and convictions. I further suggest that this is demonstrated in the Living Bible.

For example, even though at the completion of creation, God saw that everything he had made was “good” or “very good,” Mr. Taylor has David saying: “But I was born a sinner, yes, from the very moment my mother conceived me” (Psa. 51:5).

In Ephesians 2:3, Mr. Taylor has Paul writing: “We started out bad, being born with evil natures.” In Mr. Taylor’s “free” paraphrase, he inserts “born” when there is no word in the text for it, whatsoeverl So, his “theology” is showing!

Mr. Taylor’s premillennialism is demonstrated in Isaiah 2:24 – “the world will be ruled from Jerusalem . . . . the Lord will settle international disputes Further, in 2 Timothy 4:1 – “who will some day judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his kingdom . . . . ” So, Mr. Taylor’s beliefs have colored his paraphrase.

Faith “alone” is inserted by Mr. Taylor, in, Romans 4:12 . . for Abraham found favor with God by faith alone I’d sure like for Mr. Taylor to tell me from what Greek text he found the equivalent of the word “alone.” Then, in Galatians 5:6 – “For all we need is faith working through love I hope Mr. Taylor can find a Greek text having the word “all” (its equivalent) in it!

Another poor feature in Mr. Taylor’s version, is his use of footnotes, wherein he teaches his doctrine, just like Catholicism teaches her doctrine in footnotes in Catholic versions.

The New World Translation

This version is the product of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, originally known as “Russellites.” One of their cardinal beliefs is that at death, man simply ceases to ‘ be. According to them, both the soul and body go to the grave and the result is total annihilation or disintegration.

Notice the following excerpts from ‘Judge’ Rutherford: “No man has or possesses a soul” (Riches, p. 180). “A man dies like other animals, and all go to the same place” (Where Are The Dead?, p. 36). “Death means a change in condition. For an individual it means a change of condition from entity to non-entity” (Ibid, p. 33).

Now, with the followers of Russell and Rutherford denying that nay part of man exists after death, there are actually a number of Bible passage that oppose their false teaching. However, in their New World Translation, they render Luke 23:43 as follows: “And he said to him: ‘Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in paradise.'” Note the comma after the word “today.” Other translations show it: “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'” So, in a false effort to counter the promise of Christ to the dying, but penitent thief, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have Jesus saying, “I tell you today” instead of “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” To the Russellites, “paradise” merely means a burial garden, thus, a place of graves . . . . not the intermediate state of the righteous dead!

Now, for some other passages of Scripture that show the lie of Russell:

“In your patience possess ye your soul” (Luke 21:19).

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:19-20).

“He shall come in like manner as ye have seen him go” (Acts 1:11).

“Behold He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also that pierced Him. . .”(Rev. 1:7).

Obviously, one should beware of any religious sect that dares to tamper with Bible translation, in order to further their own false doctrines.

Even the Emphatic Diaglott, which in their book, entitled Creation (p. 129), they assured the Diaglott to be “one of the purest translations of the New Testament,” renders Luke 23:43 as Indeed I say unto thee, ‘This day thou shalt be with me in paradise.”‘

The New English Bible

The Introduction of the New English Bible, reveals the thinking and procedure of its translators. Speaking of the 1881 English Revisers, “The Revisers no longer followed (like their predecessors) the text of the majority of manuscripts . . . . During the eighty years which have passed since their time, textual criticism has not stood still. Manuscripts have been discovered of substantially earlier date than any which the Revisers knew . . . . Meanwhile the methods of textual criticism have themselves been refined and estimates of the value of manuscripts have sometimes been reconsidered . . . . There is not at the present time any critical text which would command the same degree of general acceptance as the Revisers’ text (Westcott and Hort -LWM) did in its day . . . . In particular, our knowledge of the kind of Greek used by most of the New Testament writers has been greatly enriched since 1881 by the discovery of many thousands of papyrus documents in popular or nonliterary Greek of about the same period as the New Testament.”

“It should be said that our intention has been to offer a translation in the strict sense, and not a paraphrase. . . But if paraphrase means taking the liberty of introducing into a passage something which is not there, to elucidate the meaning which is there, it can be said that we have this liberty only with extreme caution, and in a very few passages . . . . Taken as a whole, our version claims to be a translation, free, it may be, rather than literal, but a faithful translation nevertheless, so far as we could compass it. “

Although the “Introduction” mentioned the reduction in acceptance of the text used by the 1881 Revisers, this version generally leans heavily on the Sinaiticus and the Vaticanus, texts which were the basis of the Westcott and Hort Text.

The thing that I cannot understand about the New English Bible is the “big words” that the translators selected, rather than using simple and more easily understood words. Here are a few examples: admixture, ambiguous, apprehensive, arbiter, astutely, beclouded, bedizened, beneficent, benighted, bombast, conflagration, deigned, effulgence, extirpate, exuberantly, fabrications, fomenter, pompous ignoramus, imputation, indefatigable, interloper, machinations, magnanimity, parricides and matridices, obdurate, rapacity, recalcitrant, servitor (for servant), specious, thwarted, and Whitsuntide.

Whitsuntide was inserted in lieu of Pentecost (which is in the Greek text), just like the King James translators inserted Easter in lieu of the Passover. In each case, the customs or traditions of the established church dictated the word selected by the translators.

The point that I wish to stress about the New English Bible, is that it could have been far more easily understood in modem speech, if they had kept it simplel Another sad thing, is similar to the errors of the New International Version translators, that is the insertion of the word “nature” in so many passages where it is not in the Greek text. Such as Rom. 7:5, 7:18, 7:25, 8:3, 8:4, 8:5, 8:7 8:12; Gal. 4:23, 5:13, 5:16, 5:17, 5:19, 5:24 and 6:8. The Greek word is sarx or sarkos, meaning flesh, but there is no word for “nature.” Therefore, again, we have translators who handle God’s Word loosely and freely. This shows a basic lack of respect for or reverence toward the Word of God.

Conclusion

As two scholars, John Beekman and John Callow, have written in their book entitled Translating The Word of God, there are basically four types of translations: (1) The highly literal like inter-linears. (2) The modified literal, like the King James Version, the American Standard, the New American Standard, and the New King James Versions. (3) The idiomatic, like the Cotton Patch version. And (4) The unduly free versions, and among these I would list the New International Version,the New English Bible, the Living Bible, Good News Bible, Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, and Revised Standard Version.

As far as I am concerned, (2), the modified literal versions are the only ones I have respect for. It is helpful to study all of them, but only place your confidence in the modified literal versions.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 299-301
May 16, 1985

By Shelby C. Smith

In John 8:32, Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

There is power in truth. The word of God is truth. There is not enough power in all the doctrines of men to save one person from hell. It is were possible to know all the human doctrine of men, and we should obey them, this would not save us.

If we look at the denominations around us, and look at what they teach, what is the difference between them and us? It is the doctrine they teach. If we teach the same doctrine they do we will be lost also. It takes the truth of the gospel to save. The truth is what Christ wants preached. He commanded His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mk. 16:15). Within 40 years the early church had done this (Col. 1:23). The truth must be preached to every generation. Most people are confused by the doctrines and commandments of men. The truth is simple. Error is complicated. In the 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul, being directed by the Holy Spirit, gives the basic facts of the gospel: (1) Christ died for our sins; (2) He was buried, and (3) He arose from the dead. In this day and age, these facts desperately need to be taught.

Brother, when you go back and walk no longer with the Lord, you are lost. Peter said, “To whom shall we go?” Peter was sure that Christ was the Son of God. We believe and are sure of the same thing. Jesus said if we do put our hand to the plow, and look back, we are not fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). It is an awful thing not to be fit for the kingdom of God.

To get on the straight road that leads to heaven, we must have faith, confess His name, repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), and the Lord will add us to His church (Acts 2:47). This is truth and it takes this to free man from sin. The people that are in Christ now need to be taught to add to their faith (2 Pet. 1:3-11).

In our day, there are so many people, and even preachers in the Lord’s church, turning away from the truth. Modernism, Crossroadism, and fellowship everybody are on the rampage and spreading like wildfire. And those that teach and change the Word a little see no wrong in it. It is a command of God, and we had better obey to the letter.

There are examples in the Bible of what happened to people who did not obey the word of the Lord. One example is Lot’s wife. When the Lord rained fire and brimstone upon Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord told Lot’s wife along with the others, “Don’t look back” – only three word, but she looked back, and became a pillar of salt. There was death in that look, and there is death for us if we turn back to the world and the devil.

Jesus warns us in one of the shortest verses in the Bible, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). We can’t please the Lord and warm by the devil’s fire. We do not hear sound preaching like it was a few years ago. Preachers today try to take the sting out of sin, the blood out of the atonement, the inspiration out of the Bible, and the fire out of hell for the jingle of a few dollars. They preach what people want to hear. They preach a “social gospel.” What are we going to do about this kind of preaching?

Paul told Timothy: “Them that sin reprove in the sight of all” (1 Tim. 5:20). The Bible tells us plainly how to treat ungodliness in the church. Paul said, “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves” (1 Cor. 5:13). The church of Christ today is honey-combed with false doctrine, there is little or nothing done about it, and still we expect to go to heaven.

Elders, it is your responsibility to see that the wicked person be put away; withdraw from him, and if there is an ungodly preacher preaching for you, don’t ship him off to some other church with a good letter of recommendation – but withdraw from him, save the church, and save yourselves. If ungodliness is condoned, Paul said: “A little leaven will leaven the whole lump” (1 Cor. 5:6). Don’t forget Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, p. 298
May 16, 1985

By Irven Lee

Death is taking one older preacher after another. Some of these men where brave soldiers when promoters of digression worked with much zeal and bitterness to persuade all of the churches to pool their resources into the hands of boards and brotherhood elderships, and to get ample equipment and personnel to turn the churches into social clubs. A prayer of thanksgiving is in order for these men who prepared themselves and then fought valiantly for truth and in opposition to pride and worldliness. Satan turned every man back toward denominationalism in spite f the worthy efforts of these good men, but a remnant was saved. I am sorry to see such able men pass off the scene, but that is the way of all the earth. It is appointed unto man once to die. All the apostles and great inspired prophets died after they served their own generation.

Where Are The Great Preachers?

I went to a funeral of a truly great preacher several years ago. Many good people were lamenting his passing. Preachers who had gained much from his great store of knowledge came from several states for that funeral service. Among other things he had been a preacher’s preacher, and had encouraged many young men tho came to him for help when they faced difficult situations and fearful responsibilities. Men of this caliber die, and men of lesser influence die also.

I heard some say at that funeral that, in a few years, we would no longer have any of that man’s stature left. Several may have felt that way. This statement was not, however, in harmony with truth in every way. Military heroes of the past have died, and able generals appear in each war. Paul and Timothy died, but great men have preached in America and elsewhere in recent years, and there will be more. I am confident that there are a few young men who work with the unselfishness and faithfulness that were in the life of the young man Timothy (Phil. 2:19-23). These men will soon be older and still, hopefully, serving their generation.

It is not necessary that every one be exactly like that special preacher whom you admire so much. It was necessary for Andrew to be like Peter in order to be an apostle. Every loyal servant of Christ can do a good work in his own way in the kingdom. It would be very fortunate if Christians everywhere could accept and honor all worthy preachers. Some will accomplish more than others, but there is work and room for all. There is no required personality pattern any more than there is a certain height, weight, and hair coloring required. Let each man be himself under the guidance of the Holy Scriptures.

A Time For Preparation

Age is related to the ability to preach effectively. We sometimes hear of some “boy wonder.” In such cases these boys may make mistakes, become egotistical, lose faith, and give up the work of preaching. It takes time as well as desire to become a great servant of God. Before one is desired as an able gospel preacher, he will need to know more about he Scriptures than the typical man or woman in the pews. If about any man in the audience can present a more useful lesson in a better way than the boy, the young man may not be supported financially to preach full-time to these people. This is understandable. People would not want the boy to be the surgeon when they must go into the operating room. There is some parallel in this regard between the doctor and the preacher. The child who would be an able preacher or an able surgeon must study long hours before the people are ready to count him an able man in either endeavor.

The young man who desires to preach may study much in his own room at home, listen to many sermons, make short talks in classes or special service at the home church, listen to wise people, and pray as he gradually grows into that useful preacher. It will not be a blessing to himself or to others if he jumps into the work over his head before he is well prepared to speak as the oracles of God. Sometimes we bury the people on whom the surgeon makes his mistakes. His work has fearful responsibilities. What happens when the unprepared man makes serious mistakes in the pulpit and in other aspects of church work? One should do all to stand before he takes his stand in battle with the skilled servant of the devil (Eph. 6:10-20).

Was John the Baptist nearly thirty years old when he began his public ministry? Did the Master begin His public work when he was about that age? I am not saying that all young men should wait until they are thirty to go into the work, but some might have accomplished more in a lifetime if they had waited longer and had been better prepared when they began. Some of the great workers today are in their twenties, and we say, “More power to them.” Giving an age when one should go into full-time preaching is a little like giving the exact age when one should be baptized or the exact age when a couple is ready to marry. The preacher should not go into full-time preaching until those who know him see that hie prepared to do a good work. The sons of Kohath, under the law of Moses, waited until they had reached the age of thirty to serve with the holy things in the tabernacle (Num. 4:1-4). Please understand that we all realize that there are some remarkable preachers that are younger than this. WE are only trying to suggest the need of patience to wait until the whole armor is in place. David did not run out to meet Goliath until he was very skilled with his sling. He could face a lion or bear in combat. He was young, but he was prepared to stand his ground (1 Sam. 17).

The young man who would preach should first learn to be an example. (Read 1 Tim.3:15; 4:12, 16; 2 Tim. 2:15; 2:21-26; Titus 2:7.) If he mows his lawn with only one very short garment on, many will think he is not ready to preach. If his beautiful young wife parades in public in such a way as to invite lust from those who pass by, many will think there should be some changes (Tit.2:3-5). Social drinking, foolish jesting, and any other things that come by way of atheistic entertainers need to be discarded. An able gospel preacher avoids the very appearance of evil.

There was and is such a need of laborers in the vineyard that we are encouraged to pray for more, but no soldier is needed in the army of the Lord without his sword and complete armor. The enemy is cunning (Matt. 9:36-38; Eph. 6:10-20). We may well pray for the young Davids who have gone out to meet their Goliaths. Spiritual strength includes zeal, humility, courage, purity, patience and other good traits. The word of encouragement or instruction given in good spirit may be worth very much to the worthy young man who would like to preach.

Physical strength fades away as age comes on bringing one into this last phase of life. With strength diminished, one becomes less effective in local work. Senility may cut one down before death. It is possible that the church may be weakened by the less effective preacher trying to cling to the work he has loved. May God help us to know when to sit down in the audience. The span of life in which one can be most active and useful is not long. It is as a vapor that appeareth for a little while and then vanishes away.

Guardian of Truth XXIX: 10, pp. 302-303
May 16, 1985