Addressing a friend’s wrong ideas
My friend has told me that the Bible has some mistranslations that make a day seem like an age. He also claims that this mistranslation has made it so that the flood does not mean the whole world but just a specific piece of land. He also claims that people of other races are not direct descendants of God's people and are inferior to white people. So, I am wondering, how do I combat this mistranslation error and that all people are God's people and that there were not people before Adam and Eve? Please let me know if you have any insight on how to combat this.
The burden of proof is on your friend. Ask him to demonstrate the supposed errors in Bible translations. Scripture is clear when it speaks of time periods, the worldwide flood of Noah’s day and the human race.
Have your friend consider Acts 17:24-27 and see the world’s “family tree.” Have your friend re-consider his prejudicial views toward other people in light of Acts 10:34-35; Galatians 3:26-29; Philippians 2:3-4; and, Revelation 7:9-10.
You and I cannot change anyone’s mind. God can change minds. So, encourage your friend to read Scripture for himself. As he does, pray that the Holy Spirit would lead him to understand and embrace the truth in faith.
What you will want to do is grow in your knowledge and understanding of the Bible so you can address your friend’s wrong ideas. Our goal is not to engage in theological arguments. Our goal is simply to testify to the truth of God’s word. After that, the results are out of our hands and beyond our control.