I was encourage to read the Bible, but the correct Bible

by John Aquila 8 Replies latest jw experiences

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  John Aquila

  I got a brief email of encouragement today. I was told I need to read the Bible, but the correct Bible before it's to late. The sign that the end is close is very obvious-(gay marriage is legal)

  I was told to look at all the intelligent people that back up the NWT.

  The link I was given is about 3 years old. LOL!
  

  Unfortunately everyone in my old hall has my email address. But sometimes the messages I get make me laugh. So I don't want to get rid of my email address.
  

  https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20121014211451AAUSEa7
  
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  punkofnice

  The NWT is so good they didn't need to change it..........laughs up sleeve
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  jhine

  Talking to a couple on a Trolley in my town centre a while back I was given a list of "learned " people who support the NWT . I promised to investigate this more if they would read , properly some of the Early Church Fathers who are misquoted in the " Should You Believe ..." booklet .

  I kept my end of the bargain ( don't suppose they did and you never see the same people twice on these trolleys )as expected the people mentioned were not qualified to be listened to on this subject . One was a member of a cult as wacky as the WT ,some were experts - but in areas that were nothing to do with the Bible etc.

  
  It's sad that most JWs just don't do the checking for themselves

  Jan
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  Heaven

  There is no such thing as a correct Bible.

  What we have today are copies of copies of copies, etc, etc. The originals are long gone. From the copies of copies of copies, etc, mistakes were made during those copying processes due to the fact that they were manually copied time and again. The Bible cannot be viewed as 100% accurate.
  
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  CalebInFloroda

  You mean I need to trade in my Bible for the NWT because mine (which is written in Hebrew, by the way) isn't correct?

  I love Gentile Christian Fundies--they sure know how to teach us Jews! Where would we be without them and their paganization of our own holy texts? Thanks JWs for the New World Translation! The Tanakh is so much clearer and accurate in your English version than in my silly old Hebrew Bible written by Jews. What do we Jews know?

  And remember, Jesus saves--but Jews invest wisely! (Oh, and keep the Han Solo in Chanukah!)
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  3rdgen

  J A, My stepfather was baptized in the late 1930's and died in the late 80's. When I was looking through his things I found at least 15 or more Bible translations NOT published by the WTBT$. They were well worn with his notes in the margins.

  Back in the day comparing a text in multiple translations/versions was encouraged. It was called studying. He would carry on deep discussions with other Dubs and even (gasp!) speculate. He died a revered elder.

  When did the society's attitude change? Answer: after Ray F and company were ousted. From that time on, no Bible was to be used but the NWT. If they could, they would have removed the verse about the ...."Boreans carefully examining the Scriptures daily to see IF these things were so."
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  CalebInFloroda

  By the way, after reading that Yahoo! Answers thread and such comments that the NWT is "cherry-picked" by scholars for its accuracy...

  This is from someone who, as some of you know, has rubbed elbows with professionals in the field and actually worked in Bible translation myself and knows exactly what it is like to go to university and learn the Bible from any perspective, religious and non-religious...

  If you take a course anywhere, be it Protestant or Catholic theology or just some course that will touch on the Bible ever so slightly, with very, very few exceptions your text book English Bible translation you will be required to use is the NRSV.

  You can actually Google it yourself and see how many scholars, teachers, clergy, religious and non-religious persons recommend it and use it. You can call universities and professors across the country. You can ask your clergy. Again and again the universally preferred version is almost alway the NRSV, never, ever the NWT.

  Those aged, over-used paste and cut "recommendations" from "scholars" are not what they seem, but most of you folks already know that. Most of them are not even recognized scholars with any respect in academia.

  Here's a test for any JW That starts spouting off "quotes" and blurbs from authorities...Ask them, who are your favorite Bible scholars, past and present? How do they compare with the most respected ones in the field today? Can you name them?

  I'll bet they can't. In fact most average people don't even know the name of a single one, let alone JWs! Quotes with names mean nothing. Do you know the difference between a professor, a scholar, and an academic? How about a Bible scholar and a Bible translator? How about a translator, a philologist, an exegete and a catechist? If you can't tell the difference between these people when asked, then you can't tell the value of the quotes you mention to prove the NWT is supported by scholars.

  Now the NRSV itself is not considered perfect. The CEB is gaining a little momentum in a few quarters, replacing the NIV in one instance (the NIV is used by academics sponsored mostly by conservatives). I have heard some mention the ESV, but few, and even less the NASB in scholastic situations. But in the end due to its balance of style, tested accuracy, and familiarity with English idiom (not to mention ecumenical board of translators and editors), the NRSV is still the version at the top of the list for scholars. It is starting to be viewed as dated in some quarters, but nevertheless the one that gets used. Why even us Jews used the NRSV New Testsment for the basis of the very first "Anotated Jewish New Testament," which has been on the best-sellers list since its release! That is how trusted and respected the NRSV is.

  Reading that Yahoo! Answers thread just screamed out: "I never went to college and couldn't identify a Bible scholar even if they fell on top of me!"
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  John Aquila

  Those aged, over-used paste and cut "recommendations" from "scholars" are not what they seem, but most of you folks already know that. Most of them are not even recognized scholars with any respect in academia.

  Here's a test for any JW That starts spouting off "quotes" and blurbs from authorities...Ask them, who are your favorite Bible scholars, past and present? How do they compare with the most respected ones in the field today? Can you name them?

  That's good to know Caleb. I think I will try that next time. But I better get familiar with who are the respected scholars today.
  
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  Mary J Blige

  And the real bible study begins!