godrulz:
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Says scholar Jason B. BeDuhn (B.A.; M.T.S.; Ph.D) on the subject
of personal pronouns:
“Now it turns out that both ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ Greek nouns can be used
for impersonal things as well as persons. But ‘neuter’ nouns are used only for
impersonal things, such as objects, animals, forces, abstract principles, and so on.
The same holds true for ‘masculine,’ ‘feminine,’ and ‘neuter’ pronouns. […] But
even though the ‘personal’ category is larger in Greek than in English, the ‘Holy
Spirit’ is referred to by a ‘neuter’ noun in Greek. Consequently, it is never spoken
of with personal pronouns in Greek. It is a ‘which,’ not a ‘who.’
It is an ‘it,’ not a ‘he.’” (Truth in Translation, Accuracy and Bias in
English Translations of the New Testament, p. 140)
BTW, The holy spirit is generally spoken of in the neuter gender, except when
it is personified, for ex. as a "Helper." Otherwise, the above applies. The Father and
Son are generally referred to in the masculine gender in the Greek Text. I hope you
take the time, as I have, going over occurrences of holy spirit in Scripture,
and you will see that Dr. BeDuhn is right on. Again, check Mt. 28:19 in the
Greek Text for a start. Can you do that, before accusing others of ignorance?
And John 4:24 you quote, Yes, the spirit is in the neuter gender, but "the God"
being a spirit is in the masculine gender. This agrees with the statements above,
does not contradict it. Is is not odd that just about everytime God and Christ
are mentioned, are in the masculine gender, and the spirit when mentioned next
to them are always in the neuter gender. Take Romans 1:1-4, where God and
Christ are found in the masculine gender. The spirit in neuter.
And what is the point of Jesus sending his disciples to ‘baptize people in the
name of the Father, the Son and the holy spirit, when only the spirit is in
neuter gender? The word in the "name" is also in the neuter gender. The word
"name" is impersonal. Does not that weaken the trinitarian link?
Dr. BeDuhn has a full chapter in his book dealing with the holy spirit. I suggest
you read it before you accuse him too of Greek ignorance, because his findings
may conflict with your wishful thinking.