Q, my tagline says something about my mindset (phronema in Greek). I became acutely aware of it when a Catholic woman wanted to "cross over" and become Eastern Orthodox. Her new godparents were ecstatic. But they became "concerned" when the bishop said she can be received by anointing her with holy oil (chrism); no Bpatism would be necessary.
I received a frantic call from them, since I knew her, and talked my ear off because they were "worried" she would not be fully received and her soul would be lost because "she was probably baptized by sprinkling" (which is a BIG no-no) they thought.
They even called Mt. Athos (Holy Mopuntain) in Greece, and spoke with Athonite monks they know about this, as they wanted to make sure they were not going to be witness to spiritual demise.
At first, I was annoyed with them! Their complaints seemed rather trivial. Who cares if she was only "sprinkled!" It seemed even ridiculous!
But to them, it was real. They were terrified for her soul. They were terrified that we ordinary humans, in a desire to "cut corners," would do less than necessary to ensure her salvation. In other words, they were worried that our dismissive carelessness would constitute deliberate negligence of someone who seeks Christ amongs them.
When I realized that their concern was genuine and unselfish, I felt terrible for having judged them, for disrespecting their concern and their faith.
As I grew in thats same faith I began to recongize many of their characteristics in me as well. I see others wave off things as trivial, and I can think of nothing else but their salvation.
Yes, of course, God is transcendent, and of course his Word reaches us through any translation, but no one ever said translations can be full of deliberate additions and deletions, alterations, doctoring, eor sloppy copying.
As an Orthodox Christian, I do care about the Word of God being unadulterated. There is no "guaratee" attached to the Bible. People have gone astray with or without it, but knowingly and intentionally, ignoring the corruption of God's word is not something I, as an Orthodox Christian, can dismiss and say "Daddy" doesn't care what we read.
Thanks for your thoughtful and fitting reply.
I believe that those who earnestly seek GOD in spirit and in truth
will be/are
led by Holy Spirit SUFFICIENTLY in the way that they should grow—including the better available-to-them texts—to arrive Heavenward with The Author and finisher of their Faith having done a wonderously more than adequate job with each of them.
. . . regardless . . . of a LOT of other details.