01-14-2013, 02:53 AM
distazo Wrote:Burning one Wrote:Shlama,
i'm a believer who has read from and been blessed by many English translations of Scripture. i've also been blessed by Hebrew translations, Greek translations, and for a blessed number of years now, from the true Aramaic text itself.
Alaha has used the fallible translations of men's earnest attempts at conveying HIS Word to build up my faith and comfort and empower me, and to remind me of my sins - and every translation i've ever read has been an aide in some way, even if i didn't realize it at the time.
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Chayim b'Moshiach,
Jeremy
Nicely said.
I am just worried about the public confusion. Those 'variants' do not convince someone who does not believe, it is even misused by those who want to sow doubts.
It's a little like Paul said, that languages do not convince those who are outside and weak christians (I mean, not having a good fundament) are not helped by more translations.
Shlama akhi,
i think to be fair the dynamics of public misunderstanding are always going to be an issue, which is why brother Paul (in Scripture) admonishes that we know the Word, to be thorough with it and ready to teach and admonish -- to uphold it against those who would tear it down. people like you, like Paul Younan, David Bauscher, Victor Alexander, Andrew Roth, Janet Mageira, Murdock, Etheridge -- you are those who have added in different ways to uphold the truth, to let the light shine in the facet of your own translation, and aide in the upbuilding of other's faiths. this is a blessing, ultimately. there is always room for improvement, for better appreciation of the actual language. believe me, as one who is in the process of translating, i know that the best translation, no matter how many are involved, can only be a facet of the revelation found when reading the real deal.
it shouldn't surprise us, really, if we stop and think about it. the Word is described as a "double-edged sword." it is advantageous to translate, yet it also can have drawbacks. this is where the translator must act in devotion and fear when translating. to render as comprehensible and as correct as possible. to pursue the mind of the Infinite One who truly penned the original words. it is scary, i'm sure you recall, to be holding the pen, or typing the keys, knowing that you are part of the flow and sharing of HIS MIND to mankind, to communicate the message of salvation in His Son ALONE. it is sobering and yet a blessing beyond our most sincere of appreciations. let us applaud the work of those who have gone before us, and not hinder the work of those who will yet provide another offering to the testimony of truth.
personally, i know all too well about the misuse of the variants and mistranslations of the Greek manuscripts. i know what they do to people of both strong and weak faith. in my own walk, many years ago i entered the arena of textual criticism, wanting only to know the true Word, the valid inspired text, and came out doubting and confused over WHAT was inspired even more than when i entered. my faith in HIM was not shaken - but my faith in the inspiration of the Word was severely troubled. it was in the aftermath of that event that i started looking seriously at the claims being made by those in the Peshitta-Primacy community, and in doing so, my faith in the inspiration of the Word was thoroughly restored and validated. pouring over Greek manuscripts and textual apparatus details, with a copy of the East Peshitta Aramaic text at hand brought solace never found elsewhere. i want others who might be troubled in similar ways to have the same restoration of faith in His Word. HE is trustworthy, and because He is, we can ultimately trust that His Word will be, as well.
blessings!
Jeremy