Hi John & All:
I just wanted to expand
upon a couple of things, in relation to Ellen's post of October 6th:
When Ellen states that numbers are
used for confirming the truth, I believe (hope), she means that they are
further intricate evidence of the glory of God, and of the magnificence
of His ways. I am certain she does not mean that gematria or numerology
defines the Word of God. In fact, the Word of God uniquely stands on
its own merits, defines and supports itself, and existed before all else:
"In the beginning God .... "
- Genesis 1: 1
"In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
- John 1: 1
One other thing I wanted to make
mention of, was her quote of Mark McLeod:
"The AKJV is the only Bible in
Britain approved by the Crown. If I go out on the Street (as I often do)
to preach, I CANNOT be stopped by the Police if I'm reading from the AKJV,
but CAN if I read from the NIV!! Also, the AKJV is the only translation
which isn't copyrighted. All the modern versions are. And every time a Copyright
for a Bible is granted, it is on the condition that the Translation is 25%
different from any before it!! So we lose at least quarter of God's Word!!"
Mark McLeod, a Bible student and itinerant preacher in Scotland.
The information given by Mr. McLeod
is incorrect, as it relates to copyright.
Both the King James Version (KJV), as
well as the Authorized King James Version (AKJV), are held
in copyright by the British government (the "Crown"), in perpetuity. This
is because of a letters patent law which exists within the United Kingdom.
Knowing this, and assuming Mr. McLeod's testimony is true, it seems obvious
the government of Great Britain would have somewhat of a vested interest
in having only its version read aloud.
This letters patent law is not applicable
outside of the United Kingdom, and so for the rest of the world the Bible
is viewed to be as public domain material.
Being someone who holds several registered
copyrights, I have never heard of this alleged twenty-five percent rule,
as put forth by Mr. McLeod. If you think it is true, then just try rewriting
every 4th chapter in a Stephen King novel, publish it, and see how far you
get.
Now as it relates to public domain
material (previously copyrighted material whose life has extended over and
beyond its original renewable copyright limitations), I believe that you
might be allowed to spin off a new writing based on that material and have
it copyrighted, but I am not aware of a specific percentage change that
is required. An example of this type of situation would be any Hollywood
movie based on the writings of William Shakespeare.
See ya in the air,
Eric