Constant study and research is necessary for restoration. When you
visit the home of George Washington in Mount Vernon, Virginia, you will
notice that an effort has been made to restore every item to its original
state. As you travel through it, it appears to conform to the historical
pattern you read in history years ago. It seems as if the restoration of
this estate is complete, yet there are a number of people constantly
studying and researching, trying to restore it, if need be, closer to the
actual time of George Washington.
Many brethren with kindred minds have endeavored to restore the church
of our Lord Jesus Christ to be just as it was when it was established. A
constant study and research reveals that the part most often left undone is
that of the private personal presentation of the gospel. We know and
practice well public preaching. Why? Because the Bible gives an example. The
same Bible gives examples of private presentations, and we should know and
practice well that phase also. This plea is to add and restore to the pulpit
and class presentation of the gospel the private presentation with an open
Bible. In our mind¹s eye, we might think Mount Vernon is as near perfect as
can be to the original pattern. The same may appear to many regarding the
present methods of evangelism, yet we need to have a restoration movement
begin with personal work.

What¹s Wrong With Using the NIV?
Scott Perry

Brother Robert R. Taylor wrote Challenging Dangers of Modern Versions
³with the hope that it may be of some practical help to those who still
prize having a reliable Bible and not PLAUGED with a mutilated, perverted
one² (1991, Foreword, emp. in orig.). He set forth for consideration a
³lengthy study of some of the challenging dangers that we face from the
mounting multiplication, persistent proliferation of the versions.² He
writes, ³. . . according to the American Bible Society we now have some 340
English translations, either in part or the whole, of the Scriptures. . . We
are seeking to take note of a few of the more prominent ones in this volume
of study.² One modern translation he explored was the New International
Version (NIV) which surfaced during the decade of the 1970s. He noted, ³Like
all its modern predecessors, it left out some of the Bible either by a
regulation to footnotes of what belongs in the text or by an outright
omission of certain verses.² The following is an abridgement of some of the
things he discovered about the NIV amid his, then (1991), twenty-five years
of being ³a writing and speaking critic of the new Bibles in their multitude
of perversions.²

THE NIV: A BRIEF BACKGROUND
³This one [NIV, sp] is not a one man translation but has been done by a
number of Bible scholars, or at least reputed Bible scholars. At times they
seemingly know more about Calvinism than they do about Christianity.² He
explains:

Scholars from five different countries have produced it and they come from
some ten or more religious groups. Its producers claim this gives their
product an INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR and hence its accepted appellation--the
New International Version or known by many simply as the NIV. By employing
scholars from a number of different religious groups they claim their
product is safeguarded from sectarian bias. This would have been a
wonderfully fine aim if only they had attained it. In this they failed quite
badly. In fact the major problem with the NIV is its denominationalism in
the actual text of the Bible. Were I a Calvinist in religion, it would be
MY Bible (p. 92, emp. in orig.).

While brother Taylor does grant that the NIV is not as bad as some of
the other modern speech versions available, he still insists, ³it is still a
far cry from being a safe and reliable Bible. In my judgment it surely does
not belong to the class with the KJV and the ASV 1901.²
(to be continued in two weeks)

VOLUME 39 NUMBER 38 SEPTEMBER 23,
2002

SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy to Colette Wilson and Colleen Parker on the death of
their grandmother. The funeral will be on Wednesday, September 25, in
Vicksburg, Mississippi.
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NEW ADDRESSES

Doug & Colleen Parker
12510 Goldleaf Drive
Little Rock, AR 72210
phone 455-9753

Wayne & Susan Brewer
1363 Hwy 270 E
Sheridan, AR 72150-6711
phone 870-942-9805
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FIFTH SUNDAY POTLUCK

There will be a Fifth Sunday Potluck following the morning service on
September 29th.
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HISPANIC WORK UPDATE

The Spanish work at Mabelvale is three weeks old and off to a tremendous
start as three people have attended the classes. Your help in distributing
the invitation cards has been a great help and encouragement in the work.
Remember, you may attend the classes and worship, Sunday (3 & 4 p.m.), and
Thursday (7 & 7:45 p.m.). ~ Wayne Brewer
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SERMONS FOR SEPTEMBER 29

Morning
Our God Is One God (Mark 12:29-31)
Evening
Christ Or Muhammed? (Matthew 16:13-16)
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NEW STUDY

On October 9th my Wednesday night class will begin a study of the book, ³The
Christian and His Finances,² by Edd Sterchi. Gene Sullivan will assist me in
teaching this class. Dennis
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SEARCH

THE CHRISTIAN¹S USE OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
It has been said that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and
the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. The New Testament is the
book for Christianity. There is no other. True religion is not man-made.

EVENTS OF INTEREST

September 29...Fifth Sunday Potluck
October 1........All Comers Class
October 8........All Comers Class
October15.......All Comers Class
October 20......Teen Sing

OUR RECORD SEPTEMBER 22, 2002

A.M. WORSHIP 219
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 147
P.M. WORSHIP 157
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 139

CONTRIBUTION 5328
BUDGET 5570
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MEN TO SERVE
September 22, 2002

Nicolas Lowe Richard Lowe
Waymon Minor Brad Horton
Roger Horton Jim Henson
Jim Mauldin Devin Long

Evening Tim King
Greg King
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WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR

October 2 Brad Horton
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USHERS FOR SEPTEMBER

Morning John Griffin
Evening Wally Davis
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GREETERS FOR SEPTEMBER

Richard & Beth Butler
Olive Dove & Marvie Smith
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ELDER CHAIRMAN

September Johnny Boyd
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