Reformed. Christianity. Evangelism. Modern Culture.
Biblical literacy in America is at an all time low. (But this could be a world wide problem as well). Apparently…
“We often suffer, but we are never crushed”?
A survey conducted on behalf of the American Bible Society found that 63 percent incorrectly believed that a verse found in 2 Corinthians was actually a quote from either Martin Luther King Jr., former President George W. Bush, or the patriotic superhero, Captain America.
The verse in question was 2 Corinthians 4:8, which in the Contemporary English Version reads:
“We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up.”
The majority of those who judged incorrectly attributed the quote to Martin Luther King Jr.
The survey of 2,572 adults was conducted by Harris Interactive earlier this month, as they looked ahead to the fast approaching 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
At this rate some parishioners will soon be torn between attributing a quote from the book of Lamentations to either Nelson Mandela or Osama Bin Laden. 😉
A Twisted Crown of Thorns ® 
I consider myself something of a Bible scholar, or at least I have a better than passing acquaintance with the Word of God, and I wouldn’t have recognized that quote from the CEV.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. — 2 Cor. 4:8 (KJV).
By no means am I KJV-only, but I grew up with KJV and NKJV, so I recognize them more readily. I would have recognized the quote as a Biblical PRINCIPLE, but wouldn’t have known what verse they were quoting.
With the message bible would you recognise the verse? Listen to this: “We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do….” With another version of bible (than your usual version) I do admit it has a strange tone to it.
Exactly my point. I read multiple translations (I even enjoy reading from the Message, although I wouldn’t want to base a doctrine on it), but I wouldn’t necessarily recognize a quote, particularly one line, from a translation that I’m not overly familiar with.
I chucked the CEV over its rendering of the Triumphal Entry…”Hooray” is by no means an acceptable substitute for “Hosanna!”
As the marines say, “hoorah” to that!
That is a very compelling reason to memorize passages from the Bible. Captain America – really? That’s just sad.
A relative of mine (who shall remain unnamed) thought that the saying, “A man’s home is his castle,” was in the Bible because her devoutly Christian father always said it.
One I often heard and used to think was in the bible was “God helps those who help themselves”. Lol!
This reminds me of the Living Bible’s version of Hosea 4:11, “Wine, women and song have robbed my people of their brains” 😉
I always thought that was hysterical but after reading this post, maybe best translation!!!!
Indeed hysterical translation there!