House of Truth Ministries
February 2025
House of Truth Ministries is about sharing the Gospel in various venues.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV)
February 2025
House of Truth Ministries is about sharing the Gospel in various venues.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV)
Please continue to pray for our college outreaches at Rio Hondo, Fullerton Community College, and Cal State Fullerton College. We have a Bible study with four students at Rio Hondo College.
I am switching emails. Please take note of the new email.
We would like to build up our funds. Some of our expenses have doubled. We would like to raise $7,000.00 dollars this year. All donations are tax-deductible. Also, Zelle can be used for donations.
Tools for Biblical Study
Part Two
By Kurt Van Gorden
Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias: Generally, Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias do not follow the same trend of liberal thinking as what is found in modern commentaries. This is due to defining terms rather than giving a theological discourse. There are, though, some biblical dictionaries or encyclopedias that overstep their duty and speculate beyond mere definitions. In brief, the way to discover the bias of a Bible dictionary is to look up certain key areas of contention between liberal and conservative Christians. If one examines the topics of Creation, Inspiration, the writings of Moses, the Gospel authorship, or the like, and finds slants toward the Wellhausen theory (JEPD, the Jehovist, Elohist, Priestly, Deuteronomic authorship of the Pentateuch), or doubt as to the Gospel writers, or advocating “Q document” theories, theistic evolution, or if it refers to creation as a myth, then rest assured that the volume in hand has a liberal taint. A few good conservative Bible dictionaries are Zondervan’s New Compact Bible Dictionary, the Holman Bible Dictionary, The Illustrated Bible Dictionary (J. D. Douglas), The New International Dictionary of the Bible (Zondervan), the New Bible Dictionary (IVP), Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary (Moody), and Smith's Bible Dictionary. Some of the better Bible encyclopedias are the Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, the New International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, and Baker’s Encyclopedia of the Bible. Some of the liberal names to watch for are Hasting’s Bible Dictionary, Hasting’s Bible Encyclopedia, and the Eerdmans Bible Dictionary.
Concordances: There are three favored concordances often used for biblical research, i.e., Strong’s, Young’s, and Cruden’s. Strong’s and Young’s are particularly valuable because they give the root-word meaning for Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek along with a fair English equivalent. One must be warned, though, that simple knowledge of Strong’s or Young’s Hebrew and Greek only supplies root word definitions and has little to do with how these words are properly translated in their grammatical context. One could say, “Strong’s Concordance says this is the meaning of the Hebrew,” but the root meaning alone gives us no insight upon the usage, grammar, or context.
Background books and Bible handbooks: The biblical background gives us insight into the history, archaeology, geography, topography, culture, mannerisms, and customs. Most of books on these subjects make good references for consulting various biblical passages. These help us to understand things like how Joseph was called the “husband” of Mary during their betrothal. The Jewish custom of betrothal was as solid as a marriage and could only be broken by a decree of divorce. Background books help us immensely in this area. Some of the popular, thorough Bible handbooks are Halley’s Bible Handbook, Eerdman’s Bible Handbook, Unger’s Bible Handbook, Boyd’s Bible Handbook, World’s Bible Handbook, and Holman’s Bible Handbook.
Translations and interlinear texts: The various English translations of the Bible are exactly what they say they are—translations of one language into another. No English version is any more holy or ordained than any other is. We do not have a commandment from God telling us which English version has His sanction, therefore we must look at the various translations and understand what, if any, differences exist between them. There are basically three different methods of translation for the Old and New Testaments—literal, dynamic equivalence, and complete equivalence.
The literal translation is not a simplistic word exchange for the languages involved. They take all things into consideration, such as the grammar, context, history, and background. They then produce a literal translation based upon the information within the text and about the text. The King James Version, even with its antiquated English, is a good literal translation of the Bible. Probably one of the best is the New American Standard Bible, even though it is criticized for lacking smooth reading.
Dynamic translations result from modern studies. They are not literal translations, but instead they provide equivalencies in thought content while trying to maintain the writer’s intent. The New International Version and Today's English Version are examples of dynamic equivalence translations. Students who desire an easy-reading text that is trustworthy for the thought-content of the original prefer these.
The complete translation is a combination of these first two methods. It remains faithful to the literal text, but keeps in mind the dynamics of the languages involved. The New King James Version is an example of a complete translation. Preference should be given to these translations for the student who desires to use an English version with the certainty and trustworthiness of a literal translation, yet with smoothness and clarity of a dynamic translation.
Hebrew and Greek interlinear translations are literally word-for-word equivalencies of the languages, but they lack grammatical structures that may clarify the meaning of the sentence. Jay Green, George R. Berry, I. Howard Marshall, and Spirio Zodiates translate the better interlinear volumes. © 2000 – Kurt Van Gorden
I am switching emails. Please take note of the new email.
We would like to build up our funds. Some of our expenses have doubled. We would like to raise $7,000.00 dollars this year. All donations are tax-deductible. Also, Zelle can be used for donations.
Tools for Biblical Study
Part Two
By Kurt Van Gorden
Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias: Generally, Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias do not follow the same trend of liberal thinking as what is found in modern commentaries. This is due to defining terms rather than giving a theological discourse. There are, though, some biblical dictionaries or encyclopedias that overstep their duty and speculate beyond mere definitions. In brief, the way to discover the bias of a Bible dictionary is to look up certain key areas of contention between liberal and conservative Christians. If one examines the topics of Creation, Inspiration, the writings of Moses, the Gospel authorship, or the like, and finds slants toward the Wellhausen theory (JEPD, the Jehovist, Elohist, Priestly, Deuteronomic authorship of the Pentateuch), or doubt as to the Gospel writers, or advocating “Q document” theories, theistic evolution, or if it refers to creation as a myth, then rest assured that the volume in hand has a liberal taint. A few good conservative Bible dictionaries are Zondervan’s New Compact Bible Dictionary, the Holman Bible Dictionary, The Illustrated Bible Dictionary (J. D. Douglas), The New International Dictionary of the Bible (Zondervan), the New Bible Dictionary (IVP), Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary (Moody), and Smith's Bible Dictionary. Some of the better Bible encyclopedias are the Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, the New International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, and Baker’s Encyclopedia of the Bible. Some of the liberal names to watch for are Hasting’s Bible Dictionary, Hasting’s Bible Encyclopedia, and the Eerdmans Bible Dictionary.
Concordances: There are three favored concordances often used for biblical research, i.e., Strong’s, Young’s, and Cruden’s. Strong’s and Young’s are particularly valuable because they give the root-word meaning for Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek along with a fair English equivalent. One must be warned, though, that simple knowledge of Strong’s or Young’s Hebrew and Greek only supplies root word definitions and has little to do with how these words are properly translated in their grammatical context. One could say, “Strong’s Concordance says this is the meaning of the Hebrew,” but the root meaning alone gives us no insight upon the usage, grammar, or context.
Background books and Bible handbooks: The biblical background gives us insight into the history, archaeology, geography, topography, culture, mannerisms, and customs. Most of books on these subjects make good references for consulting various biblical passages. These help us to understand things like how Joseph was called the “husband” of Mary during their betrothal. The Jewish custom of betrothal was as solid as a marriage and could only be broken by a decree of divorce. Background books help us immensely in this area. Some of the popular, thorough Bible handbooks are Halley’s Bible Handbook, Eerdman’s Bible Handbook, Unger’s Bible Handbook, Boyd’s Bible Handbook, World’s Bible Handbook, and Holman’s Bible Handbook.
Translations and interlinear texts: The various English translations of the Bible are exactly what they say they are—translations of one language into another. No English version is any more holy or ordained than any other is. We do not have a commandment from God telling us which English version has His sanction, therefore we must look at the various translations and understand what, if any, differences exist between them. There are basically three different methods of translation for the Old and New Testaments—literal, dynamic equivalence, and complete equivalence.
The literal translation is not a simplistic word exchange for the languages involved. They take all things into consideration, such as the grammar, context, history, and background. They then produce a literal translation based upon the information within the text and about the text. The King James Version, even with its antiquated English, is a good literal translation of the Bible. Probably one of the best is the New American Standard Bible, even though it is criticized for lacking smooth reading.
Dynamic translations result from modern studies. They are not literal translations, but instead they provide equivalencies in thought content while trying to maintain the writer’s intent. The New International Version and Today's English Version are examples of dynamic equivalence translations. Students who desire an easy-reading text that is trustworthy for the thought-content of the original prefer these.
The complete translation is a combination of these first two methods. It remains faithful to the literal text, but keeps in mind the dynamics of the languages involved. The New King James Version is an example of a complete translation. Preference should be given to these translations for the student who desires to use an English version with the certainty and trustworthiness of a literal translation, yet with smoothness and clarity of a dynamic translation.
Hebrew and Greek interlinear translations are literally word-for-word equivalencies of the languages, but they lack grammatical structures that may clarify the meaning of the sentence. Jay Green, George R. Berry, I. Howard Marshall, and Spirio Zodiates translate the better interlinear volumes. © 2000 – Kurt Van Gorden
PRAYER AND SUPPORT
Thank you for your prayers and financial support. All donations are tax-deductible. Checks can be written to House of Truth Ministries, and they can be sent to the address below. Online donations are accepted as well.
House of Truth Ministries
Box 729
La Habra, CA 90633
My E-mail
houseoftruthministries.org@gmail.com
Our website
http://www.HouseOfTruthMinistries.org
Online Donation
http://HouseOfTruthMinistries.org/Donate.html
For donations by Zelle
562-694-1428
House of Truth Ministries YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQtvAk11yMYsOfFhy3W81jw
Christian Witnesses' YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpIQy8YGTBX181POz72yxuA
Thank you for your prayers and financial support. All donations are tax-deductible. Checks can be written to House of Truth Ministries, and they can be sent to the address below. Online donations are accepted as well.
House of Truth Ministries
Box 729
La Habra, CA 90633
My E-mail
houseoftruthministries.org@gmail.com
Our website
http://www.HouseOfTruthMinistries.org
Online Donation
http://HouseOfTruthMinistries.org/Donate.html
For donations by Zelle
562-694-1428
House of Truth Ministries YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQtvAk11yMYsOfFhy3W81jw
Christian Witnesses' YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpIQy8YGTBX181POz72yxuA