Translated Correctly

September 14, 2004 — Steve Evans

There’s an excellent article over at McSweeney’s, addressing errors in one person’s Bible. I have similar errors in my own Bible.

Hey, while I’m thinking of errors, what does it mean to say that a book is the “word of God”? Do mormons have a consistent approach to defining that catchphrase? Just curious, because it seems to mean a lot more to some religions (i.e., Islam, So. Baptists) than to ours…

Posted in Uncategorized. 5 Comments »

5 Responses to “Translated Correctly”

  1. Steve Evans Says:
    September 14, 2004 at 5:33 pm

    I always thought it was weird that we would describe things as the “word of God” when they’re just historical narratives. I mean, commandments, doctrines, exhortations and their ilk, sure, I can see how that’s word of God material, but do we extend it to accounts of events? If so, then we have God’s seal on how things really happened — so all you Bible historians out there can take a breather.

    It’s interesting, John, that you point out the BoM admits it may have mistakes. So then “word of God” has got to be a loose way of approaching texts, otherwise the notion would be inapplicable to the BoM.

  2. Karen Says:
    September 14, 2004 at 5:26 pm

    I imagine that a working definition of the word of God goes beyond even cannonized scripture, and includes all counsel from someone in a place of stewardship (including the stewardship you have over your own life) as long as the counsel is inspired. A problematic definition? Certainly. Leads to confusion and contradiction at times? Certainly. But really, that’s the way that most members live their lives, and I’m not sure it isn’t the best way. It means that we are always on the lookout for counsel from God, and are constantly trying to hone our spiritual receptors to receive it.

  3. Kim Siever Says:
    September 15, 2004 at 6:19 pm

    I think you’ve been eating too many chicken fingers, rob.

  4. John H Says:
    September 14, 2004 at 5:19 pm

    Steve,

    I don’t think we have a consistent definition of the “Word of God.” I suspect most members would interpret the word of God to mean inerrant, hence the caveat that the bible is the word of God “as far as it is translated correctly.”

    But the Book of Mormon warns us that there may be mistakes in the book, and they are the mistakes of men. We’re cautioned not to fault God for these mistakes of men. So can the entire work be considered the word of God?

  5. rob Says:
    September 15, 2004 at 5:14 pm

    Was Joseph Smith murdered by fellow masons?…I heard that somewhere.


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