General

How recently have we heard a sermon on the dangers of strong drink? How often do we study a Sunday school lesson on temperance? How many of us are even tempted to drink alcoholic beverages?

We can hardly imagine an era like the 1890’s when it was deemed necessary to include a temperance lesson in every Sunday school quarter. Since that time, several generations of American Mennonites have taught and practiced total abstinence. For most of us, that is all we know. We could say that our Mennonite churches have generally succeeded in winning the battle with drunkenness.

It is usually difficult for those coming behind us to relate to the issues that we have gone through with the same passion and zeal that we have for those issues. A few years ago our family visited one of the civil rights museums in Selma, Alabama. It was tremendously interesting to me, and I’m sure I wandered through the museum much longer than what the children thought was needed. It stirred a lot of memories, and as we traveled on, I told the children how it was in the sixties when I was a young boy in public school.

Revelation 3:8, “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:36-37).

Part 1 of 2

Modern Versions - The Textual Theory
In our last section we mentioned the huge success and strengths of the King James Version of the Bible. We also pointed out the linguistic weakness it carries because of its age. We will now turn our attention to the modern versions of the Bible by addressing three fundamental aspects that set all modern versions apart from the King James era translations: textual theory, translation methods, and post-publication revisions.1 The first aspect we wish to address is the aspect of textual theory.

The education of our children can not be stopped; it takes place every moment in every situation. This continual flow of education influences and shapes their character. Much of this education takes place in the home under the supervision of the parents. Formal education, planned and purposeful, should support the efforts of the parents to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” The Bible gives us the overarching structure under which to formulate worthy goals for the educating of our children.

Editor’s Note: In this article, the first in a series of three, we focus on the King James Version of the Bible. In the next article we will examine modern Bible versions.

The King James Version of the Bible
In 2011 the King James Version of the Bible celebrated its 400th birthday! It is the all-time best seller in the English language and after four centuries is still loved and embraced by thousands of people. No other book in English history can lay claim to such longevity and popularity. It is completely unprecedented!

Another popular sedan rolls off the assembly line. Its shiny paint and gleaming chrome invite you to take a closer look at its many details and qualities. The sedan not only looks sharp but is equipped with every feature you need to navigate the highways.

Another precious baby arrives in our home. She is tiny and helpless, and yet she comes fully equipped with the abilities she needs to go through life.

In Daniel 1 we find the story of an exceptional young man. He had been chosen by the king’s own delegate because there was no blemish found in him; he was well favored, skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge. He was chosen out of the very best that Babylon had to offer, and Babylon ruled the world. He was chosen to stand in the palace of the most powerful ruler of the world. Power and prestige were within his grasp. Certainly, to those looking on, Daniel was in an enviable position. What more could his heart wish for?