Use of [Brackets] in the NWT......

by AK - Jeff 5 Replies latest jw friends

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  AK - Jeff

  In the Introduction to the NWT with references edition it is stated on page 7 - under the subheading "The Translation Into English" - "BRACKETS: Single brackets [ ] enclose words inserted to complete the sense in English text."

  Many of these 'insertions' change the entire doctrinal view, as we have seen discussed before. Since the NWT is not an accuarate translation, and has been used to indoctrinate members with biased views that harmonize with the WTS doctrine anyway, I was thinking it might be good for them to make a few momentous changes that would eliminate the need to even bother publishing articles in the Watchtower that bends and twists these scriptures to fit. Why not use the [brackets] to do the same thing. For instance:

  Perhaps the WTS should consider this change to John 14:6

  Current reading:

  "Jesus said to him: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"

  Reading after brackets are inserted:

  Jesus said to him: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through [the Faithful and discreet slave class, after studying the required materials for 6 months or more, reviewing a few dozen questions in the back of a book they published, convincing the elders that they are in good position both knowledge wise and morally, then wearing 'proper Christian attire', has been baptized in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy spirit, while agreeing to dedicate oneself to a Brooklyn based book publishing firm that masquarades as a religion, forfiets his future in education, pleasure and other pursuits, then is willing to pretend that he actually is honoring] me.

  Makes the scripture a little longer, but it would reduce from 7 to just one scripture required to memorize before they could get right out there and make disciples of the people. This one would say it all and the publishers could point to it right in the Bible, thus reducing the actual need to prove anything at all to the householder.

  Just a Thought Brooklyn

  Jeff
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  Kristofer

  Hey wait a minute....is that something they call sarcasm?
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  onesong

  Giving that there's NO evidence in the original manuscripts of the New Testament of the name YAHWEH I think they should have used brackets to indicate their assumption as well.

  Bottom line : every time Jehovah appears it should be like this [Jehovah]

  This would let the reader know of their assumption.
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  Mary

  Excellent point. Another example of how the brackets or heck, even a comma, can change a meaning is when Jesus is dying along side the other two criminals:

  NWT: Jesus, remember me when you get into your [Kingdom]. Jesus replied: Truly I tell you today you will be with me in Paradise.

  With brackets: Jesus, remember me when you get into your Kingdom. Jesus replied: Truly I tell you [if you can reach my pocket, like TODAY, and pull my lightsaber out, I can get us both out of this mess.]
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  moggy lover

  Coming to think of it, AKJ, you have actually hit upon something here. That insertion into Jo 14:6 is not without its significance.

  This is because the entire objective of the induction program for the prospective recruit into WTS ranks, somewhat amusingly called a home "Bible study" is to teach the validity of that insert. During the course of his/her 6 month Bible Study, the recruit will be reminded that the information he/she is receiving, is provided by the FDS, who, while on the way to bringing him/her to the Father, have other baggage to carry. In fact, the recruit is not recognized as a suitable candidate for baptism till he gives evidence of accepting, not what Jo 14:6 says, but what the FDS says it says [which includes the insert]

  Incidently, the JW recruit is not baptized in the name of the Father, Son , and Holy spirit. Its the name of the Father, Son, and the SPIRIT-DIRECTED ORGANISATION. Shame on you for having missed that point. I'm sorry, but you simply are not ready for baptism yet. My recommendation is another 6 month intense indoctrination till you get it right.Meanwhile, repeat after me "Our mother, the FDS, who art in Brooklyn may your authority be supreme, may your will in my life take place. I promise never to contact those horrible, horrible apostate fellahs again, especially the ones on JWD " Now write that down five thousand times and submit it to the body of elders by the next WT study.

  Good post.

  Cheers
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  RevFrank

  The watchtower thinks they are doing God a favor. With all of the traslations through out history they are think their translations are accurate..The Bible itself is known to be the best seller year after year, after year, yet they still refuse to put it on the top seller list.

  From the ancient manuscripts to the most modern translations,,,, to discoveries of one word,,,must be this then that, then they revise that revised edition. From arabic, hebrew,(origional languages), including koien greek, too so many languages, you kind of figure one or two maybe accurate.

  And at the same time many translation commettees want the Bible to say what their religious order says..so the new world translation of the holy scriptures were born. Plus Bethel took a 15th century catholic monk's word for it when he added Jehovah as the name of God. The watchtower took the name, yet won't admit it, because they are very anti-catholic anyway.

  Plus every bible that was translated and written within the last 100 years, it would include it's scholars that translated. But the watchtower. Why? That'd because the watchtower doesn't want it to be challenged. And as long as it can't be challenged the watchtower will say that their bible will stand on it's own... Then why is so many scholars challenge it? After so many years many of us has managed to get a few names....of course it's unofficial...there is Franz who was suppose to be a part of the translation commette. And we find out that Franz wasn't even a scholar in koien greek.

  Then again,one of the NIV's recent translation commette, which I discovered, is gay. So you tell me......which translation is accurate? At the same time each one who is involved in translating brings their own biased thoughts along. A few scholars who are atheists would testify that the bible would say that, according to scriptures, Jesus is God.

  So who knows for sure? You may think......"I'll go back to the origional manuscripts." Problem is you can't. All of the old origional ancient manuscripts are lost forever. The manuscripts we have are copies or copies of copies of the ancient origional manuscripts. And many scholars say a codex of the manuscripts, which maybe more accurate are gone. Then how did we translate to the Kings James version? I heard that the Greek Orthodox has that ancient manuscripts that was translated into the King James version of 1611.

  What we wind up doing is relying our trust is our faith alone. Isn't that what Jesus told us any way? To have faith? With all of our translations....and with all of our revised editions....even if it's 100% accurate or have mixed up...or almost completely distorted, don't you think we have some what of an idea what our God is all about? Belief is nothing when it comes to faith......having faith in a creator that promises us evrything, if we have faith.

  Faith alone is sufficient.........."And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness...."( 2 Corinthians 12:9)

  "Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him;But the just shall live by faith.(Habakkuk 2:4)

  "For what the scripture say, 'Abraham believe God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."(Romans 4:3)

  "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."(Romans 5:1)

  PEACE