[B-Greek] NWT: Is it an accurate translation of the Greek?
Awohili at aol.com
Awohili at aol.com
Fri Feb 24 19:13:14 EST 2006
Monk James,
"Thanks" for injecting religion again into a discussion of grammar. I will
point out only a few other things wrong about your post:
1- Indefinite articles do not figure in Psalm 117:27 LXX because it is
typical of the LXX translators to omit an article when KURIOS represents the
Hebrew YHWH. QEOS here represents the Hebrew EL. The Hebrew Psalmist is saying
simply that YHWH is God (or God is YHWH) and this verse is telling us nothing
about John 1:1c in either Greek or Hebrew. It is another case of LXX
"translation Greek."
2- I may know a little more about Jehovah's Witnesses than you do, having
been one for over 40 years. Your post reflects mere hearsay and innuendo.
Jehovah's Witnesses are not now and have never been Arians, nor have we ever
claimed to be Arians or to follow Arius. In believing that the Son is
subordinate to the Father, we follow the Bible. If Arius did too in this particular
matter, so be it, but there is much that Arius taught that we do not believe
in or follow.
3- And as I have said before, the NWT is not the first, nor the last, to see
either indefiniteness or qualitativeness in John 1:1c, on the basis of Greek
grammar and syntax. The other translators can hardly be accused of Witness
bias.
As for your theological opinions, I am not sure this is the right place for
them, but that's not my call.
Sincerely,
Solomon Landers
In a message dated 02/24/2006 3:26:54 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
frjsilver at optonline.net writes:
Compare the completely anarthrous QEOS KURIOS KAI EPEFANEN hMIN (PS 117:27
Greek, 118:27 Hebrew), which can mean nothing but 'The Lord is God....' the
lack of articles here implies less than nothing about indefiniteness in
translation.
A little syllogistic aside: Areios is regarded as a heretic since he
denied the divinity of the Logos, Whom even he considered to be incarnate as Jesus
Christ. This verse is extremely important to the Areian position, and the
Witnesses of Jehovah happily admit to being Areians, and the NWT is the work
of the Witnesses, who skewed the translation. Therefore, at least from the
perspective of the orthodox, 'a god' is not an accurate translation of the
Greek.
It's worth noting that the JWs aren't the only group who do this sort of
thing, and more's the pity.
In any event, I hope this helps to advance the question a little.
Peace and blessings to all.
Father James Silver
Monk James
Orthodox Church in America
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