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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (81)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     I was investigating questions and found a site with an article entitled:  “Funny Unanswerable Questions.”  Here are four that were asked.

1.       Why are round pizzas put in square boxes?

2.       Why is an alarm clock said to be going off when it is really coming on?

3.       Why are both of Sponge Bob’s parents round like sea sponges while he is square like a kitchen sponge?

4.       If the Wicked Witch of the West melts in water, how did she ever take a bath?

 

B.      When we are dealing with Bible questions, there are some that are unanswerable because the Bible does not provide an answer.

1.       Who is the Pharaoh of the Exodus?

2.       Is the Nahum in Jesus’ genealogy, the Nahum who wrote the book of prophecy named for him?

3.       What were the names of Peter’s wife and children?

 

C.     Most Bible questions, however, can be answered from the Scriptures.  This is why we have our Q&A lessons each first Sunday of the month.  Today, let’s look at 3 questions that you have asked.

 

I.                    QUESTION #1:  Not given to much wine

 

A.     What does the phrase:  “not given to much wine” mean?

 

B.      Answer:

1.       This phrase is used two times in the KJV.

a.       The first time, it is used in the list of qualifications of deacons (1 Tim. 3:8).

 

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre.

 

b.      The second time it is found in the behaviors that older women are to exhibit (Tit. 2:3).

 

The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things.

 

2.       The reason this phrase is under discussion most of the time is because it is one of the verses that individuals use to justify social drinking.  The argument is that these individuals could drink a little wine as long as they were not given to much wine.

3.       In the context, Paul is listing qualifications and behavioral responsibilities of these individuals. They are not to be given to much wine.

a.       He is not discussing the subject of social drinking. 

b.      Paul is not talking about the amount of alcohol being consumed.  He is referring to the mindset of the individuals toward the wine.

1)      They were not to have their minds turned toward and preoccupied with wine.

2)      The minds of God’s children should not be focused on a beverage that is associated with the world, sin, disease, heartache, and death.

3)      These individuals should understand the dangers of alcoholic beverages (Prov. 20:1).

 

Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:  and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

 

a)      It reduces one’s interest in spiritual things.  Those who partake in beer, wine, and liquor are not the strong members in the body of Christ. 

b)      It reduces one’s reasoning abilities.  A person is not able to make wise decisions when his mind is tainted by an alcoholic beverage.

c)       It reduces one’s inhibitions.  Things one would not say or do while sober are often done when a person drinks alcohol.

d)     It reduces one’s reaction time.  Thus, it is a leading cause of accidents on the road.

e)      It harms one’s health:  heart disease, liver disease, problems with the pancreas, and cancer.

f)       It weakens the immune system.  “Drinking too much can weaken your immune system, making your body a much easier target for disease.  Chronic drinkers are more liable to contract diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis than people who do not drink too much.  Drinking a lot on a single occasion slows your body’s ability to ward off infections – even up to 24 hours after getting drunk” (Alcohol's Effects on the Body | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (nih.gov)). 

4)      As leaders and teachers of others, their examples would be ruined by being given to much wine.

 

II.                 QUESTION #2:  Differences between the Translations

 

A.     Stated:  Why are there different readings between the various translations?

 

B.      As you read the translations of God’s Word, one will quickly see that there are differences in the readings. 

1.       The words can be different (Phil 2:6).

 

KJV:  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

ESV:  Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped.

 

2.       The words can be in a different order (1 Pet. 1:10)

 

KJV:  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

 

ESV:  Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,

 

3.       There may be words in one verse that are not in another verse.

 

KJV:  Acts 8:37 is found in the text

ESV:  Acts 8:37 is not found in the text.  There is a footnote given to explain why it as omitted.

 

C.     The questioner is asking why this is the case.

1.       The texts from which the versions are translated are different.

a.       There are over 5,700 manuscripts in existence from which the New Testament has been translated.

1)      “The main Greek New Testament texts used in New Testament studies are eclectic. That is, their 'finalized' forms are compositions of various readings from a variety of manuscripts as opposed to being equivalent to one complete New Testament manuscript. Because the texts of various manuscripts differ at points (these differences are known as 'variants'), methods are used to conclude which reading is most likely the original one. (This process of determining the most likely reading is known as 'text criticism')”  (Greek New Testament Texts - Bible and Theological Reference Tools - LibGuides at Trinity International University (tiu.edu).

2)      These MSSs have been categorized into three main traditions:

a)      Alexandrian               oldest MSSs                brevity

b)      Byzantine                   majority of MMS        replace difficult phrasing

c)       Western                      Greek & Latin             paraphrasing

b.      There are several highly regarded texts of the New Testament

1)      Novum Testmentum Graece:  Nestle-Aland

2)      The Greek New Testament by United Bible Society (UBS)

3)      The Society of Biblical Literature Greek New Testament (SBLGNT)

4)      The Textus Receptus

c.       NOTE:  When the translators are translating from a text, they can only translate what is there.  If something is not there, it will often be omitted or sometimes it is separated from the rest of the text with a note about the passage (See Mark 16:9-20).

2.       The translators can use different words when translating words and phrases that mean the same thing

a.       Eph. 1:7)

 

KJV:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace

ESV:  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

 

b.      NOTE:  This sometimes will hinder a speaker when he is trying to make a point in his lesson.  He will quote the verse, but it will not read the same in the version that members might be using.   Thus, the point is not made very effectively (Ex., Hab. 1:4)

 

KJV:  Therefore the law is slacked…

ESV:  So the law is paralyzed…

NKJV:  Therefore the law is powerless…

NASV:  Therefore the law is ignored…

CSB:  This is why the law is ineffective…

GNB:  The law is weak and useless…

LSV:  Therefore law ceases…

 

3.       The translators take liberties with the text and inject their own thoughts and teachings into the text.

a.       When Martin Luther made his translation of the Scriptures, he inserted the word “only” into Romans 3:28.  He rejected the works only teachings of the Catholic Church and believed in faith only so strongly that he injected something into the text that was not there.

 

KJV:  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Luther:  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith only without the deeds of the law.

 

b.      When the NIV hit the market, this was one of the main criticisms of the translation.  It was filled with Calvinism, including being born in sin (See Ps. 51:5).

 

KJV:  Behold, I was happen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

NIV:  Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

 

D.     Because of the number of translations that exist and the numerous differences that can arise among them, it is wise for an eldership to limit the versions that are used in public worship and in Bible classes.  Even two or three can create quite a bit of discussion in a  Bible class.

 

III.              QUESTION #3:  Support of Mt. Dora Children’s Home and Raintree Village Children’s Home

 

A.     Stated:  Can you give us a little background information on the mission works we will be supporting during the month of December.

 

B.      Answer:

1.       This month we will be supporting two works with which we are all familiar:  Mt. Dora Children’s Home in Mt. Dora, FL and Raintree Village Children’s Home in Valdosta, GA.

 

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2.       Help for works like these are rooted in Scriptures like James 1:27.

 

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the father and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

 

3.       Background

 

Mt. Dora Children’s Home                            Raintree Village Children’s Home

 

Date Founded:            1945                                                                1967

Campus:                     40 acres                                                           20 acres

Cottages:                     Two Houses, Single-parent houses                4 houses for children

President:                    Dr. Brian Mast                                                Kenny Holton

 

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Description automatically generated with medium confidence                                 A person and a child posing for a picture

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4.       Types of children being served:

a.       Children without parents

b.      Children with behavior problems

c.       Children with mental health issues springing from multiple causes

d.      Children who have been in the court system

e.       Children who are not doing well in school

 

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5.       Services that are offered (Mt. Dora Webpage)

a.       Housing in a licensed home

b.      Loving, Christian house parents

c.       Meeting basic needs such as clean clothes, a warm bed, and home-cooked meals

d.      Enrollment at Mount Dora Christian Academy when eligible

e.       Tutoring for classes

f.        Professional counseling as needed

g.      Assistance in accessing health-related needs (medical, dental and vision)

h.      Transportation to church, doctor visits, and other errands

i.        Career and vocational exploration

j.         Participation in recreational, cultural, and spiritual enrichment activities

6.       Other programs offered:

a.       Single-parent programs

 

Wesleyana Presy and Mount Dora Children's Home

 

b.      Foster parent programs

7.       List of people involved in Children’s Homes

a.       Board of Administration

b.      Administration

c.       Counseling

d.      Houseparents

e.       School staff

f.        Laborers

g.      Volunteers

h.      Contributors

8.       It is difficult for us to comprehend the costs involved in programs designed to take care of children:  food, clothing, medical, dental, school, counseling, staff, buildings, maintenance and repairs, transportation, staff, administrative expenses.  It runs into millions of dollars every year. 

1.       150 per month = $1,800.00

2.       The home has a million dollar budget

3.       It would take 555 congregations giving 150 per month for the year to support the work

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     We have looked at three questions:

1.       One dealt with the holiness of our Christian lives.

2.       One had to do with God’s standard that governs our lives.

3.       One involved a portion of the good works that we are called do to.

 

B.      The Christian life is a life of many fronts.  The Christian must be vigilant and constant at all times to make sure all bases are covered.