Theocratic Warfare and Taqiyya

by aqwsed12345 51 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Earnest
    Earnest
    aqwsed12345 : For example in his "Text-Critical Use of the Septuagint in Biblical Research," Tov argues that the use of ΙΑΩ or the Tetragrammaton in Paleo-Hebrew within Greek manuscripts reflects textual diversity, not uniformity. This diversity suggests localized practices, and Tov states that such forms represent variant traditions, rather than the original text of the LXX.

    I managed to access a copy of Tov's "Text-Critical Use of the Septuagint in Biblical Research" here but could not find him stating that ΙΑΩ represents variant traditions rather than the original text of the LXX. In fact, I could not find him discussing ΙΑΩ at all. Perhaps you could kindly direct me to the relevant pages?

    aqwsed12345 : [4Q120] is a single fragmentary manuscript reflecting one regional practice, and its use of ΙΑΩ aligns with Egyptian Jewish scribal customs rather than a universal LXX tradition. If you believe otherwise, you need to cite where Tov explicitly equates ΙΑΩ with a universal and original stage of the LXX translation.

    I did cite this in a previous post, but I will quote again from Tov's Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible, Third Edition, 2012, p.132 :

    In [4Q120] Lev 3:12, 4:27, Iaw ... probably reflects the original, pre-Christian rendering of the Tetragrammaton, preceding kurios of the Septuagint translation.

    It makes sense, really. If all other Hebrew names are transliterated into Greek then to do so with God's name is just following the scribal practice.

    Incidentally, you quote Hurtado as saying "Kyrios was used without the definite article to function as if it were a name" and you add that it shows the LXX translators and users treated Κύριος as a theological equivalent of YHWH. Interestingly, Tov says (The Greek Biblical Texts from the Judean Desert, p.20) :

    All the irregularities pertaining to the anarthrous use of kurios can also be explained as having been created by a mechanical replacement of Iaw with kurios by Christian scribes.
  • Vanderhoven7
    Vanderhoven7

    Mark Jones writes:

    They dont actually have any scriptures to directly quote in order to justify lying to non-members (or “using theocratic warfare” in JW-speak). Instead they infer from certain scriptures that even Jesus didn't always tell the truth:

    Jesus did not always disclose the full truth - Awake! 2000 Feb 8 p.21

    Jesus Christ himself refrained from divulging total information when doing so would have caused needless harm. (John 7:1-10) He said: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls before swine." Why not? So that "they may never . . . turn around and rip you open."—Matthew 7:6." Watchtower 2004 Nov 15 p.28

    Furthermore, in order to further the interests of their cult, the members are ordered to hide the truth from “god’s enemies”.

    From time to time letters are received asking whether a certain circumstance would justify making an exception to the Christian’s obligation to tell the truth. In reply to these the following is given: God’s Word commands: “Speak truth each of you with his neighbor.” There is one exception, however, that the Christian must ever bear in mind. As a soldier of Christ he is in theocratic warfare and he must exercise added caution when dealing with God’s foes. Thus the Scriptures show that for the purpose of protecting the interests of God’s cause, it is proper to hide the truth from God’s enemies." - Watchtower 1960 Jun 1 pp.351,352 Questions From Readers

    In case you’re wondering, an “enemy of god” includes non-members, former Jehovah’s Witnesses and… I cant believe I’m saying this… Jehovah’s Witness children.

    You may get Jehovah’s Witnesses on here claiming they’ve never heard of “theocratic warfare”. But that is just another example of them using “theocratic warfare” on you.

    You know, like a cult?

    Footnotes

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