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Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1868 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
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Posted: Mon Jan 28th, 2008 07:40 pm |
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I commented in another thread on this matter. I thought it would be good to start a new thread, too, for this topic, which was a bit off of the main topic (specifically about the KJV).
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It is improper to speak of the King James Bible as a "heresy." Like all Protestant Bibles (and Catholic ones) it has somewhat of a bias, based on the beliefs of the translators, but not overly so, in my opinion.
I myself use the RSV, which is a revision of the KJV (taking out the archaic language: "thee's" and "thou's," etc.). I used to use NASB as a Protestant (which revised the American Standard Version, which revised KJV, into more "American" English), and first read most of the Bible in that version. The Catholic version of the RSV actually modifies very few passages: I think it is only 4-6, if that many. One of them is Luke 1:28: "Hail Mary, full of grace." That shows how little bias is perceived to be in the RSV, and by indirect implication, the RSV.
The thing about the KJV is the beautiful language and expression (who could not love, e.g., Psalm 23?). But, by and large, Protestant Bibles are not a problem, as much as false Protestant doctrines. I would concentrate more on those, and not the Bible translations, which can be criticized, for sure, but are not at the heart of Protestant-Catholic differences, by any means.
If you read the Douay-Rheims, be aware that it is a translation of a translation, too: of the Latin Vulgate, whereas most translationas today, including newer Catholic ones, translate from the oldest available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.
I suspect that most of the bishops of the Church (and the Holy Father) would rejoice that Catholics are reading the Scripture, whatever the version is. The main thing is to read the Bible. But there are "approved" versions, such as the NAB (personally I care very little for its style), and the RSV-Catholic edition. I have found many articles that discuss these issues or related ones:
Bible Translations Guide (Catholic Answers)
Choosing and Using a Bible: What Catholics Should Know, Fr. Ronald D. Witherup, Catholic Update, July 2004.
Choosing a Bible Translation, Jimmy Akin, This Rock, April 1994.
Bible Translations, Jimmy Akin.
Bible Versions and Commentaries (EWTN: Colin B. Donovan, STL)
Bible Translations (EWTN: Matthew Bunson)
Finding a Translation: How to Select a Catholic Bible, John Osman, Catholic Spirit, January 2007.
Choosing a Bible Translation, Katerina Ivanovna (Evangelical Catholicism site)
Are All Bible Translations Created Equal?: The Protestant Bias of the NIV, Steve Ray [this is a .doc file]
Which Bible Translations Are Best For Catholics? (Catholics United for the Faith)
Choosing a Catholic Bible (Adoremus Bulletin)
Uncomfortable Facts about the Douay-Rheims, Jimmy Akin, This Rock, February 2002.
Pius XII on the Authenticity of the Vulgate, Jimmy Akin, April 1994.
English Translations of the Bible, Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.
Catholic Encyclopedia: Versions of the Bible [note: much of the article is about non-English versions, but there is a lot about the English ones, too]
Catholic Encyclopedia: Douay Bible
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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Robert
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 12th, 2007 |
| Location: | Germany |
| Posts: | 142 |
| First Name: | Robert | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | The whole spectrum from black to white, now 100% Catholic! |
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Posted: Tue Jan 29th, 2008 09:36 am |
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Every translation whether biblical or just daily business is in and of itself an interpretation. The key to translation is transmitting the message the author intended accurately.
What really gets my goat is when folks start talking about the “only true” translation e.g. the KJV only folks or like some Protestants here in Germany who sees Luther’s 16th century translation as the only true Bible.
The best example of an interpretive translation is the rendering of the Greek word Ekklesia (Εκκλησία).
The German Protestants never translate this word as church (Kirche) but rather as Congregation (Luther, Schlachter=Gemeinde) or Assembly (Eberfelder=Versammelung). The translation is correct language wise, but does not reflect the understanding Catholics have of the one, catholic, and apostolic Church. This was clearly done to avoid any connection with a visible church founded on Peter.
E.g. Mat 16:18 Tranlation:
Luther and Schlachter: You are Peter and upon this rock I shall build my Congregation.
Eberfelder: You are Peter and upon this rock I shall build my Assembly.
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Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15)
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setapart
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jan 13th, 2007 |
| Location: | Austin, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 240 |
| First Name: | Bill | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Born Catholic, Non-Denominational Charismatic, Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Feb 1st, 2008 04:37 pm |
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What I have found out (the hard way) is what St. Paul wrote:
Rom 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
And again what Jesus said:
Mat 7:21-29 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' (23) And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (24) "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (25) And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. (26) And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. (27) And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." (28) And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, (29) for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
I remember one discussion that I had with a KJV only person - I asked him what version would someone read if he or she did not understand English?
Satan loves to trip us up and get us off track and believe in doctrines or traditions only and not apply God's word to our lives and thus let it feed us and work toward saving our souls.
1Pe 1:22-25 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (23) since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; (24) for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, (25) but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
God Bless,
Bill
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But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. Mal 4:2
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