Got this in one of my XJW mailing lists, have a lookie guys! Flame away!
EXAMINING TRANSLATIONS WITH JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
By Rachel D. Ramer
Would you trust a medical doctor who, in the name of humility, refused
to reveal where he or she went to medical school? Of course not So why do
Jehovah's Witnesses trust the "translators" of the New World Translation
(NWT) who are so "humble" that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society won't
reveal their names or credentials? In technical fields such as medicine,
engineering, and translating, lack of training can cause physical -- or
spiritual -- death. Displaying credentials is not pride, but accountability.
Nevertheless, Jehovah's Witnesses read in the foreword of NWT (1984
edition) these seemingly comforting words: "It is a very responsible thing to
translate the Holy Scriptures from their original languages of Hebrew,
Aramaic and Greek into modern speech ... The translators of this work, who
fear and love the Divine Author of the Holy Scriptures, feel toward Him a
special responsibility to transmit his thoughts and declarations as
accurately as possible."
With such a statement, why should Jehovah's Witnesses question their
translation? Yet, observant Christians can help them do just that: Although
it is essential for translators to know the languages they are translating,
this doesn't mean we have to know Greek or Hebrew to catch the differences in
translations. Simple observation can be powerful.
Observing The Difference
Jehovah's Witnesses will often refer to NWT's John 17:3, "This means
everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of
the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ" (emphasis added). In response, say
to the Jehovah's Witnesses, "That sounds different to me." Then read the
verse in a credible translation such as the King James Version (KJV), the New
International Version (NIV), or the New American Standard Bible (NASB), all
with a close variation of "that they may know You." Read all three if the
Witnesses doubt the consistency. Mere agreement among translations bears
weight.
Discuss the difference between knowing a friend or taking in knowledge
of someone, like studying Abraham Lincoln. Then read Jesus' words in John
5:39 & 40: "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by
them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about
me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life" (NIV).
In NWT's Matthew 10:32 & 33, Jesus says, "Everyone, then, that
confesses union with me before men, I will also confess union with him before
my Father," instead of "confesses me before men." This takes the emphasis off
of Jesus and puts it on something Jesus represents. Witnesses will insist
there is no difference. Ask them what it means to confess Jesus and what is
its purpose? It is primarily to acknowledge who He is -- not what He stands
for -- the very issue the Watchtower wishes to cloud!
Only The Context Knows For Sure
When two visiting Witnesses emphasized the importance of the name
Jehovah, they brought to my attention the verse: "Everyone who calls on the
name of Jehovah will be saved" (Rom. 10:13, NWT). I responded, "I've read
that the Old Testament word for Yahweh or Jehovah is never used in the New
Testament1 Why would your translation say 'Jehovah'?"
"It's only common sense," one answered, "to use the name Jehovah since
this is a quote from the Old Testament referring to Jehovah" (see Joel 2:32).
"Except," I countered, "in Romans, Paul was just referring to the
'Lord Jesus' specifically. When he used the term "Lord" in verse 13, he meant
Jesus. He knew he was quoting the Old Testament He was equating Jesus with
Jehovah."
Most Jehovah's Witnesses are fooled by their organization's use of
Greek lexicons or expository dictionaries. William Vine's Expository
Dictionary of New Testament Words was appealed to 52 times in their
encyclopedia, Insights on the Scriptures, even though Vine strongly disagreed
with their teachings.2 From sources such as these the Watchtower can
sometimes obtain an altered wording for a critical passage and feel justified.
It is advisable to point out to Jehovah's Witnesses the critical
importance of context in Bible translation. The context may show that the
wording the NWT chose, though technically possible, is senseless. Hebrews 1:8
reads, "But about the Son he [the Father] says 'Your throne, 0 God, will last
forever and ever ... '" (NIV). Yet NWT says, "But with reference to the Son:
'God is your throne forever and ever ... '"
Dr. Ron Rhodes explains, "We must acknowledge that the Watchtower
translation 'Go is your throne' is grammatically possible from Greek text.
But -- as scholars unanimously agree -- it is entirely foreign to the
context."3
The word "but" at the beginning of verse indicates a contrast to the
previous verse, where angels are discussed, and implies that the Son is
distinct from angels. If the correct translation is "God is your throne," how
is that distinct from angels?
This repeated conflict between other translations and the New World
Translation should eventually become disturbing for the Witnesses. You can
then ask them about their translators. They will not be able to obtain names
or credentials. (This information has been published through the writings of
former Witnesses who once worked at the Watchtower headquarters. Discussing
former Witnesses - or any source that opposes their theology -- with your
visitors might usher them to the door since they are warned to steer clear of
this information. The longer they stay, the more influence you may have.)
What About Those Scholars?
While they may never learn the names of their translators, they may be
given the names of scholars with quotes favorable toward NWT. Edgar J.
Goodspeed, who contributed to the Revised Standard Version, stated in a
letter to the Watchtower, dated 8 December 1950, "I am ... much pleased with
the free, frank, and vigorous translation (NWT). It exhibits a vast array of
sound, serious learning ... "4
Yet, when Bill Cetnar from the Watchtower headquarters visited Dr.
Goodspeed in 1954 to elicit his full endorsement, Dr. Goodspeed had other
comments. Cetnar writes, "Dr. Goodspeed was asked if he would recommend the
translation for the general public. He answered, 'No, I'm afraid I could not
do that The grammar is regrettable. Be careful on the grammar."5
Nevertheless, the Watchtower still uses Dr. Goodspeed's letter as an
endorsement.
Robert M. McCoy and Dr. S MacLean Gilmour from the Andover Newton
Quarterly are quoted with what sounds like enthusiastic reviews until the
context and entirety of their words are read.6 Similarly, Thomas N. Winter
from the University of Nebraska gave a glowing endorsement in 1974,7 but on 3
October 1980 he wrote, "I am not happy with the use now being made of the
review," and he went on to note a few problems, such as Jesus' words in John
8:58 (which NWT translates as "I have been"). Winter commented, "No way to go
here but 'I am.'"8
A more recent endorser is Dr. Jason 0. BeDuhn, who used the
interlinear version of NWT in his course, "The Development of the Jesus
Tradition," at Indiana University. In a letter to the Watchtower Society,
dated 12 May 1997, he stated that "it is the best interlinear New Testament
available," and "it gets past traditional renderings that harmonize, gloss,
and over-interpret passages in light of later dogma."9 In other words, NWT
appeals to scholars who consider the deity of Christ a later, inserted
doctrine.
Yet Dr. BeDuhn makes note, "I am sure you are aware of historical
objections to the (re)insertion of 'Jehovah' into the translation. Of course,
no Greek Gospel manuscripts support this, but I will not quibble with you
about that"10 (emphasis added).
Dr. Benjamin Kedar also endorses the NWT. He made it clear to the
Watchtower, however, that he no longer wishes to answer questions concerning
his stance.11 His comments are limited to the Old Testament and are not
influential concerning the identity of Jesus. Other names produced by the
Watchtower are not names of scholars.
Perhaps BeDuhn and Kedar are unaware of the lack of credentials that
plague this organization's translators. Bill Cetnar explained that of the
supposed translators, only F. W. Franz, fourth president of the Watchtower,
had any schooling in this area, and his abilities to translate were proven
inadequate in a Scottish Court in November 1954.12
Each Encounter Is Fragile
Recently, when two more Witnesses came to my door, I told them I would
love to study the Bible with them. Yet I had told them I had discovered,
through other visitors, that the New World Translation was very different
from the translations I already had. Could they check on the credentials of
the translators? If not could we have a Bible study without that translation?
They insisted it was not different so I gave examples. This provided a
dilemma for them. Essentially, they had an assignment: find out about the
translators. The burden of proof is with the Watchtower Society.
How we relate to Jehovah's Witnesses can quickly scare them away or
can invite further discussion. Notice, I did not say NWT is inaccurate, but
different Since I am not a scholar, I don't claim to decipher the Greek and
Hebrew, but I can read. I can tell that NWT is unlike the other translations.
This gives them a second assignment read other translations. Jehovah's
Witnesses, most likely, are not going to change their minds in our living
rooms. Yet if they become uneasy about their "translation" -- if they open
the pages of accurate translations out of curiosity -- truth gains a foothold.
Rachel D. Ramer Is A Freelance Writer,
Who Lives In Richmond, Indiana.
1 See Ron Rhodes, Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses
(Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1993), 49.
2 Gary Busselmen, "New Light from Old Books end Dead Opposers," Free Minds
Journal, March-April 1996.
3 Rhodes, 93.
4 Edgar J. Goodspeed, in a letter to a member of the Watchtower Society's
headquarters staff, dated 8 December 1950.
5 Bill Cetnar, Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses Who Love the Truth
(Kunkletown, PA: w. I. Cetnar, 1983), 69.
6 Detailed quotes are included in Ian Croft's article, "The New world
Translation and Its Critics," Bethal Ministries Newsletter, September-October
1988, 2, 8.
7 Thomas N. winter, The Classical Journal (April-May 1974): 376.
8 Thomas N. winter, in a letter to M. Kurt Goedelman of Personal Freedom
Outreach, dated 3 October 1980.
9 Jason 0. BeDuhn, in a letter to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 12
May 1997.
10 Ibid.
11 Benjamin Kedar in a letter dated 16 February 1996; addressee is blacked out
12 Cetner, 68-69.
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