Expert: Ernie Laurence, Jr. - 11/2/2008

Question
Hello Brother,
I read your profile and saw your face I am very proud to have a young brother who has set his face toward heaven and kept his journey as you have.
  three of my five sons,Harold is 23,Marquis is 15, Michael is 14 they was baptized at 11, 12,& 13 and happy about it then, but now being indoctrinated by outside influences of the ghetto, Drugs, unbelievers, Muslims and sex. the 23 y/old is married his wife is a babe in Christ he has stopped fellowshipping altogether and is being held by marijuana's addiction. I need help answering questions concerning; King James, how can we trust the bible? (another man made book). they seem angry asking why can't I see or hear him. we need Prayer HELP, Beverly of  PA.

Answer
Hello Beverly,

I feel great sorrow to hear of the problems your sons face.  These things you mention are symptoms of a nation whose God is not Jehovah.  My prayers will be with you and your family.

So let me answer your question concerning the King James translation and how we can trust the Bible.

#1 - the King James Version (KJV) is a decent translation with known errors.  That is important because those errors can easily be researched and shown since a very large number of sound people know what they are.

I would also caution against using one single translation since the translations aren't 100% perfect, only the original language manuscripts are.  I suggest using KJV, NKJV, ASV 1901, and the new ESV altogether to get the best meaning of any passage.  Avoid translations (if such they can even be called) like the NIV, New Living Translation, the Living Bible, and pretty much anything I didn't list above as decent.

#2 - how do we know that the information we have to day is the Bible God intended for us to have?  For one, God states that all scripture is profitable for man...to be complete, thoroughly furnished... (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  We must trust in an all-powerful God to keep those scriptures that make us complete around for use.  God has worked through Divine Providence to get us the information we need.  Part of faith is trust.

For a more in depth answer, I will need a more specific question from your Son.  Ask him if he has any evidence that God has not provided today what man needs today.

If I can answer more, please ask.

In Truth and Love,

Ernie