The use of many different translations to determine a more exacting meaning for a given piece of text is an intriguing proposition but I can't imagine it does anything more that give the biased reader the particular biased translation that he likes the most. After all, it is natural to mentally subordinate a bias we don't like and not agree with it. Further the scriptures are not for us to bring to our own personal meaning should that differ from the inspired truth.

So what I am saying is the reading of multiple translations is likely to strengthen our own bias while polarizing us from other points of view - one of which might be the truth.

That is a problem with finding meaning in a Bible with so many translations. On the other hand The Book of Mormon was not Translated as the Bible has been. (Bet you didn't know that)

On another point, The notion that many voices will take you to the ultimate truth where you yourself don't have it (you are looking to them for it) will not necessary take you to it.....especially where you are only able to drink milk or the translators did not understand certain spiritual truth.. Real spiritual truth is not something that is found through reasoning, logical argument, evidences in our world. If the truth you are looking for requires multiple translations of the Bible to find it. It is likely not there. When you discover the spirual truth you need is not found in the Bible, it has been revealed elsewhere - most likely in the scriptures (the other latter day scriptures), These are inspired through the same authentic Priesthood authority as the Bible. It then is for you to confirm their truth through that still small voice of the Spirit that confirms it- if you have it - if you recognize it.

If you lament not having that, The Lord can provide a Gift to you.

Orthodox clergy frequently assert the "solidarity" of the "Church Fathers" (by the way, not the Apostles or Christ) around a doctrine actually formed and approved by a current Emperor. This Topic confirms not only their falacious circular argument "circulus in probando" but also the lack of integrity of their argument.

To remain in leadership within this Catholic order of Bishops (Church Fathers), one had to agree down to the left cufflink in order to remain as a Father. Doctrine was not formed by the Bishops; doctrine was all too frequently dictated to them.

Emperors approved destruction and murder dependent upon their particular belief. This is the way it all worked for centuries back then. If you evaluate the lives of the Bishops, especially when they found themselves in trouble, the pattern becomes clear.

Under the Catholic Church synod the Pope serves as its president but danced to the tune of the current Emperor. The given synod rulings on doctrine never defied the wavering views of the many different, some wacko, Emperors.

This is not the picture the Orthodox Christians of today wish to reveal because they propogandize solidarity as virtuous behavior.

Their proposition is:

1. The Fathers speak nothing but truth when they speak together in agreement in Synod.

2. The Fathers speak in this manner.

3. Therefore, what they speak is nothing but the truth.

It is established that to the extent that the Emperors were corrupt, church doctrines became corrupt as a consequence of their dictatorship. And those Fathers who disagreed were no longer at all or no longer Fathers or (most often) changed men - compliant puppets. Remember, We are talking Catholic leadership here....This is GODFATHER stuff.

Now that you know the source of your doctrines, it helps in your decisions about your church. All of orthodoxy hold to doctrines established as I have described. If that is the standard you wish to carry, do not plead ignorance later.

In light of the tyranny of pagan and marginally Christian Emperors (as I have already described), how do you suppose the gospel principles arrived at were inspired of God?

The Holy Trinity of the Christian Doctrine: The distinct character of three individual personages (united into one Godhead or Divine Council) was made obvious at the baptism of Jesus Christ. At the hands of John the Baptist, God the Son came up out of the water from His baptism, a sign of the presence of the Holy Ghost was given in the form of the dove which rested upon Jesus, while out of the grandeur of heaven the voice of God the Father was heard saying, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'

The clarity of the personality of each member of the Godhead is also shown by the commandment to baptize those who believe in the Gospel equally in the name of each person of the Holy Trinity. That is, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. (Matt. 28: 19-20.) And again, also in the Apostolic benediction, viz., 'The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.' (II Cor. 8: 14.)

These three Personages constitute the Christian Godhead, the Holy Trinity. In early Christian theology they were regarded as the Supreme Governing and Creating Power in heaven and in earth. The Father was worshipped in the name of the Son; the Holy Ghost bore record of the Father and the Son. And though the Holy Trinity was made up of three distinct persons, yet did they constitute but one Godhead, or Supreme Governing Power.

This doctrine of God, taught to the Christians in Apostolic times, awakened their devout reverence without stirring their curiosity. They dealt with no metaphysical abstractions. They were satisfied to believe the teachings of the Apostles in humble faith, and believed that Jesus Christ was the full manifestation of Deity, and the express image of God His Father. Together, they constituted a revelation to them of God; while the Holy Ghost they acknowledged as God's witness and messenger to them.

Today the orthodox Trinity has morphed into metaphysical wanderings by virtue of lost authority.

Blogstreamer Captures Metaphysical God

By Fluffy and Flutter, Blogstream International

Somewherein, Colorado -- Reports are pouring out of this small mountain village that Blogstreamer, Stealtharachnid has been holding the Trinity within his 52 ounce Bubba Keg (pictured below) since New Years Eve. One of many Christologies, this God is said to be metaphysical in nature. Excepting for Stealth there are no witnesses to the capture. Reports from Stealth as his plans for God, the Spider said, "It is determined to remain in the mug. I did not capture It! It decided to go in and now, It will not under any circumstance reverse Its course. I hope It likes Diet Mtn Dew and only drinks a fair share." The expert on the metaphysical God, Thom confirmed "If God went in there, He is not coming out any time soon. What God decides cannot be changed or reversed."

 

OUR PRESENT BIBLE HAS SUFFERED EXTENSIVE LOSS

Book of Mormon prophet, Nephi received a vision recounted by an angel and was shown Bible History after the New Testament was written. Recorded in 1 Nephi in chapters 13 and 14, we have the clearest, most accurate, and most reliable statement concerning biblically historic manuscripts that we have any knowledge of at this time. Without the viewpoint of the Book of Mormon, nobody would sense the real magnitude of the depletion of the Bible.

Nephi saw in panoramic vision the colonists from Europe who settled in the Western Hemisphere, and he learned that they brought the Bible with them:
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that they did prosper in the land; and I beheld a book, and it was carried forth among them.
"And the angel said unto me: Knowest thou the meaning of the book?
"And I said unto him: I know not.
"And he said: Behold it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto me: The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles.
"And the angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God.
"Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.
"And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.
"And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men" (1 Ne. 13:20-27).
This passage identifies both the Old Testament ("the prophecies of the holy prophets") and the New Testament ("the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record").