I have been reading Ray's material since March or April. I noticed he quoted the KJV, so I went out and bought one. Many times I have looked up some of the quotes to see what came before and after it so that I could get a better idea of what the subject matter was. Often times Ray would paraphrase or explain a given quote or define a word that KJV didn't use correctly (said Ray), then I would look in my bible which is The New American Bible. It is a Catholic bible. Now I know there are books in there that only Catholics use but I just don't read those. Anyway, almost every time I look up a quote there, it agrees with Ray more often than not. For instance, they use the word ages instead of eternity a lot more than KJV. I was just reading lake/10:
BILLY GRAHAM DEFENDS GOD AGAINST EVIL
I don’t mean to continually pick on Billy Graham, as he is, after all, a fine and respected man. Nonetheless, he does personify fundamental religion, and he does teach heresy. I heard Billy Graham deliver a message televised to the entire world, from the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. shortly after September 11th, wherein he stated that, God is not the Creator of evil. I also have an old newspaper clipping from a Billy Graham question and answer column in which he again denied that God is the Creator of evil. He quoted Habakkuk 1:13 as proof of his statement. I think is will be helpful to check this Scripture to see if it indeed backs up Billy Graham’s assertion:
"Thou [God] art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?" (KJV—I left in all the archaic English and italics to show added words not found in the manuscripts).
Ray goes on to say this:
I apologize for the fact that the translation nearest to the implied meaning of this verse that I could find is The Living Bible, which is not necessarily among the most precise or accurate translations in many areas. However, sometimes they really do nail the obvious intention of the verse. And yes, I realize that is a value judgment on my part. But anyway, take a look at their rendition of this verse:
"We are wicked, but they far more! Will you [God], Who cannot allow sin in any form, stand idly by while they swallow us up? Should You be silent while the wicked destroy those who are better than they?" (Habakkuk 1:13, The Living Bible).
Here is what my bible says:
Habbakkuk 1:13
Too pure are your eyes to look upon evil, and the sight of misery you cannot endure. Why, then, do you gaze on the faithless in silence while the wicked man devours one more just than himself?
This looks to me more like the Living Bible that Ray liked better for this quote than KJV.
And one more thing, my bible clearly labels all the parables as parables.
I think that I will continue to use my bible as my reference but will also compare it to Ray's teaching and that of the KJV.
I guess I am just posting because I was actually surprised by it.
Eileen