'A translation can never be the word of God' Flashcards
1
Q
Isn’t the word of God: 1)
A
- It wasn’t meant to be in that language. Therefore it could just be the word of the Jews. For Gods chosen people? (Jews)
In the early days, stories were told in Greek. Needed to be translated in to Aramaic. Message lost? - Words mean different things in different languages, so words can perhaps be lost through translation with different meanings + interpretations, and therefore is not WoG.
- Aramaic syntax is normally very poetic. If you rearrange this to suit a different language, we are possibly changing and losing its original meaning and therefore cannot be the actual word of God.
2
Q
Is the word of God: 2)
A
- If the synoptics are already human interpretation of the Word of God, then further interpretation in a different language is no different.
- The word of god is LIVING, not literal, so interpretation is always needed. Therefore translations do not affect the word of God… one of Gods key messages was that his word was for everyone!
3
Q
Isn’t the word of God: 3)
A
- Through translation, the text becomes the editors work, and not Gods.
- The editors also could of made errors of biased, or change the WoG to suit their own theological aims, therefore not true WoG.
4
Q
Is the word of God: 4)
A
- Evangelists were divinely inspired, so the essence of the gospels, in any language, contains the word of God.
- Jewish traditions: specific laws on writing the bibles.
- The Jewish culture of the time also could affect this argument. Rote memorisation was key as many were illiterate, so word would have been accurate and they would have been careful not to change it. J’s word would have been greatly respected, therefore demanded careful re-telling, as not to change Gods word.
- Deuteronomy 4:9 says ‘Take care: keep careful watch on yourself so that you do not forget the things you have seen with your own eyes.’ Therefore, as the evangelists were Jews, they would have been careful to convey the WoG accurately.
