Adding to God's word

[Lady Bug]

OK I sort of need help on this.

I know we are not supposed to "add to God's word" but what is the difference between "adding to God's word" and the fact that God's revelation was spread out over hundreds/thousands of years? God's revelation kept adding onto one another for all that time until the Book of Revelation itself, the final book of the Bible, so what is the difference between that and "adding to God's word"? This is important to me....

 

[Nathan Ethan]

With a few exceptions, the "canonical" 66 books of the Bible are recognized by most bible believers as "The Holy Scriptures", containing God's complete message to mankind. It is generally an accepted belief among these believers that no one should attempt to add another "book" to these established 66 books. Attempts have been made to add other writings to these 66 books over the centuries, but they have been almost universally rejected. Although it is not very common in this present day for this to be attempted, this is one very overt way that men can attempt to "add to God's Word".

The second way men "add to God's Word" is more subtle, sometimes more difficult to detect, and is a very common occurrence among professed believers today, which is known as "eisegesis". According to the Wikipedia definition of the word:
"Eisegesis (from Greek εἰς "into" as opposed to exegesis from ἐξηγεῖσθαι "to lead out") is the process of interpreting a text or portion of text in such a way that it introduces one's own presuppositions, agendas, and/or biases into and onto the text." When "eisegesis" occurs with any Scripture, one is "adding to God's word" by interpreting it through the lens of their own "presuppositions, agendas, and/or biases'". And, whether one does it knowingly or unwittingly, it always leads to misconceptions, and frequently, false beliefs and incorrect individual practices, which are forbidden by Our Father and His Messiah.

A third and very blatant way one can "add to God's word" is for one to speak or write things that are in addition to what God has revealed in the Bible. This can be discerned by a diligent Bible student who knows what the Bible says.

Here are some pertinent Scriptures that forbid adding to God's word:
"Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you." (Dt. iv. 2)

“Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words,
or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar." (Prov. xxx. 5-6)

"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll." (Rev. xxii. 18-19)

Example of "Adding to God's Word":
"Because it (food) doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then into the sewer, thereby expelling all foods." (Mk. vii. 19, ISV, 2012)

now compare this translation of the same verse:

"For it doesn't go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body." (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)" (Mk. vii. 19, NIV, 2011)

The NIV translators added several words of their own to the end of this verse, according to their own bias and agenda (eisegesis), changing the meaning of the text and blatantly "adding to God's Words".
(You can research the original Greek text and verify this for yourself.)



I hope this note helps. YHWH bless you.

Nathan Ethan

 

[Lady Bug]

I have an issue though; all 66 books were not written when the first time this type of verse showed up though

 

[HannibalFlavius]

OK I sort of need help on this.

I know we are not supposed to "add to God's word" but what is the difference between "adding to God's word" and the fact that God's revelation was spread out over hundreds/thousands of years? God's revelation kept adding onto one another for all that time until the Book of Revelation itself, the final book of the Bible, so what is the difference between that and "adding to God's word"? This is important to me....

Don't understand the question

 

[Lulav]

OK I sort of need help on this.

I know we are not supposed to "add to God's word" but what is the difference between "adding to God's word" and the fact that God's revelation was spread out over hundreds/thousands of years? God's revelation kept adding onto one another for all that time until the Book of Revelation itself, the final book of the Bible, so what is the difference between that and "adding to God's word"? This is important to me....

The commandment to not add is found in the Torah. Where these rules for living are, they are not to be added to or taken away from. Yeshua spoke of this when he said he did not come to destroy the Torah, that every little letter would remain until the end of time. However others disagreed and have taught that it has either been done away with or it's just for the Jews.

This is G-d's word that is being spoken of. The other books like the prophets when you look at them as a whole it is history and the prophets are sent to turn the people back to the Torah, G-ds word. There are no additions or subtractions. That goes for the book of Revelation also. It specifically speaks about those who will enter heaven are those who keep the faith of Yeshua and the commandments of G-d.

 

[pilgrim42]

OK I sort of need help on this.

I know we are not supposed to "add to God's word" but what is the difference between "adding to God's word" and the fact that God's revelation was spread out over hundreds/thousands of years? God's revelation kept adding onto one another for all that time until the Book of Revelation itself, the final book of the Bible, so what is the difference between that and "adding to God's word"? This is important to me....

I suppose this is the verse you are referring to:

Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
(Deuteronomy 4:1-2)

Well, after the Torah several other books were added. This prohibition is once more given in the Book of Revelation:

Revelation 22:18-19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.




Books of the Bible have been added after the Torah. They were canonized by Jewish leaders before Jesus came along. The Septuagint version of the old testament was verified by Jewish Leaders and also by Jesus and the Early Church. I am not aware of any accusations that these books added or took away from God's word. We have to keep in mind that the books of the Bible were not given all at one time. God has communicated to mankind by way of revelations over time.

When the New Testament was written it was also given to us over time (from approximately 50 AD to 100 AD). The Holy Ghost has led Christian leaders to have descerment as to which books are inspired and which ones were not. The first Church counsels finally canonized the New Testament as we know it.



The prohibition to add or subtract refers both to books of the Bible and to making changes to the books themselves that would altar the meaning of what God is saying to us.



Look at it this way. It is wrong to add the Book of Mormon as inspired. It would be wrong to remove the Book of Revelation or James from our Bible (although Luther wanted to do that). It would be wrong to add or subtract, or change the meaning of the Sermon on the Mount.



I feel like I'm rambling. Hope this helps.



Ken

 

[Lady Bug]

I suppose this is the verse you are referring to:

Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
(Deuteronomy 4:1-2)

Well, after the Torah several other books were added. This prohibition is once more given in the Book of Revelation:

Revelation 22:18-19
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.




Books of the Bible have been added after the Torah. They were canonized by Jewish leaders before Jesus came along. The Septuagint version of the old testament was verified by Jewish Leaders and also by Jesus and the Early Church. I am not aware of any accusations that these books added or took away from God's word. We have to keep in mind that the books of the Bible were not given all at one time. God has communicated to mankind by way of revelations over time.

When the New Testament was written it was also given to us over time (from approximately 50 AD to 100 AD). The Holy Ghost has led Christian leaders to have descerment as to which books are inspired and which ones were not. The first Church counsels finally canonized the New Testament as we know it.



The prohibition to add or subtract refers both to books of the Bible and to making changes to the books themselves that would altar the meaning of what God is saying to us.



Look at it this way. It is wrong to add the Book of Mormon as inspired. It would be wrong to remove the Book of Revelation or James from our Bible (although Luther wanted to do that). It would be wrong to add or subtract, or change the meaning of the Sermon on the Mount.



I feel like I'm rambling. Hope this helps.



Ken

mostly you helped LOL; it's just that I'm trying to distinguish between legitimately adding books to the Bible over time via revelation, and adding things to the Bible that should not be in there. but maybe your explanation makes sense:

The prohibition to add or subtract refers both to books of the Bible and to making changes to the books themselves that would altar the meaning of what God is saying to us.

 

[Yahudim]

Hi Ken (pilgrim42) and welcome to the forum.

Don't think I'm coming down on you, because I am not. But there are a number of things that you should be aware of before you post in this forum. The site-wide rules state:

Do not teach or debate in any Congregational Forum unless you are truly a member and share its core beliefs and teachings. Questions and fellowship are allowed, proselytizing is not. Emphasis mine.

You should also peruse the Statement of Purpose for this forum. Doing so can help keep you out of trouble. Feel free to ask any questions you like.

That said, I basically agree with your assessment.

Blessings,
Phillip

 

[pilgrim42]

OK. I'm here to learn, so I will try to keep a low profile I guess it is OK to send private messages as long as they are in the spirit of love. Hope there are no hard feelings.

Ken