Bible Translations

[hazetwostep]

does anybody know if there is a translation of the bible done by scholars who did not believe it was "god's word?"

[killerweed420]

You'd have to ask the scribes and I think they're dead now.

[hazetwostep]

i'm talking about a translation of the books, not the original writers' believefs

[RamblerGambler]

scholars who did not believe it was "god's word?"

Wouldn't that be a translation by heretics, at least as far as the church is concerned? Then again, what else is new. Personally, I'm a fan of the Jefferson Bible, which excises the supernatural elements out of the scripture.

[fluid69]

I did some research on translations a few years back. the best one I come up with is the NLT version (new living translation). It's by far the least biased and most accurate. they went back to the oldest known codecs, in some cases the dead sea scrolls, and did a translation. anything that wasn't in the original, they put a * beside of it and have a foot note telling you this,( so you know what's been added). it also has * beside previous mistranslations, which are quite numerous, and it's in modern english!

[az666]

I don't know of a newer translation of the bible, but I know there were multiple mistranslations of words.

" 'Bethulah' means virgin in the sense that we understand it. It was used, for example, in Isaiah 62:5. 'Almah' (the word used in Isaiah 7:14 "the Virgin Birth") simply means a young woman. Although it is sometimes used in the sense of a sexually pure woman, this is not it's exclusive usage.

A look at the context of Isaiah 7:14 will quickly reveal that the woman that Isaiah was referring to was probably *already* pregnant, thus pointing out which sense of 'almah' was intended. In any case, the point of Isaiah's prophecy was that before the child reached the age of accountability, both Israel and Syria would be desolated. (A prophecy which was only partly fulfilled, by the way). The use of the word 'virgin' is not germane in Isaiah's prophecy. The 'sign' was the child, not a miraculous conception."

I could talk about the problems that arise with the bible all day, not mis-translations as such...more are we still supposed to follow it....as there are some pretty horrific things God wants us to do.

Edit: I just realised I didn't really answer your question at all! :)

[killerweed420]

I think the bigger issue is not the translation of what's in the bible. they're all pretty close. Its the books that didn't make it into the bible. Read some of those and you'll find a lot of real interesting reading. Like the gospels of Judas

[tha_green_ghost]

Quite honestly I think any modern translation of the Bible is gonna watered down somehow IMO. And for most part, a Bible that denies it is God's Word would contradict it's own passages such as the ones that suggest it is wouldn't it?

Personally I'd stick to doing my own research on the topics that interest me,and like Killerweed said there are a number of Lost (or forbidden) Books that didn't make the "cut" ...much debate and controversy have sprung from these books.

[40oz]

Personally I'd stick to doing my own research on the topics that interest me,and like Killerweed said there are a number of Lost (or forbidden) Books that didn't make the "cut" ...much debate and controversy have sprung from these books.


Doing your own research and your own thinking is probably the best idea. People should think for themselves, letting institutions and authority figures think for you will lead you nowhere.

While I agree that there is some significance to the books not included in the bible, translation is what really matters. Killerweed said "all translations are basically the same" and that is simply not true. Translating requires creative interpretation, and different translators will have different interpretations of what the original collection of symbols meant. Comparing different translations of "god's word" can afford you some very valuable insights if you have an interest in this subject.

[stra8outtaWeed]

i got divorced over smoking weed for medical reasons...had spinal cord injury and when i quit all the hard core prescription meds "the church" a bunch of so called christians said they did not think it was a good idea for me to use marijuana for pain since i had tro grow my own medicine so the battle was on...the pastor was a former drug counselor and he fought me every step of the way with every translation...bible verse he could throw at me...so when i said my prayer after going through hell with them....i just said there is no way i can fight him personally but if he was not good for the community then remove him....he was later caught in an aldutlerous affair with his secretary and his wife at the time wanted him to go to counseling and he refused. TYPICAL HYPOCRIT...see them every sunday lining up and trying to buy there way into heaven....the ones who give the most get the most attention and my ex was no exception...she liked being the "big giver" !

So translations are to every individual and when you put people up to follow they will always let you down....stand up for yourself and think with your own brain...religion has only been used to control people and that is not God's message!

[PureEvil760]

I'm sure some did'nt really believe they were just transcribing the words, just like it is now.. biblical religions are just belieliving the words but ignoring the truth behind them.

[chris62008]

I think the bigger issue is not the translation of what's in the bible. they're all pretty close. Its the books that didn't make it into the bible. Read some of those and you'll find a lot of real interesting reading. Like the gospels of Judas

The gospel of Judas wasn't written until at least the 2nd or 3rd century after Jesus' death. In other words... FALSE!!!!!!!

[chris62008]

i got divorced over smoking weed for medical reasons...had spinal cord injury and when i quit all the hard core prescription meds "the church" a bunch of so called christians said they did not think it was a good idea for me to use marijuana for pain since i had tro grow my own medicine so the battle was on...the pastor was a former drug counselor and he fought me every step of the way with every translation...bible verse he could throw at me...so when i said my prayer after going through hell with them....i just said there is no way i can fight him personally but if he was not good for the community then remove him....he was later caught in an aldutlerous affair with his secretary and his wife at the time wanted him to go to counseling and he refused. TYPICAL HYPOCRIT...see them every sunday lining up and trying to buy there way into heaven....the ones who give the most get the most attention and my ex was no exception...she liked being the "big giver" !

So translations are to every individual and when you put people up to follow they will always let you down....stand up for yourself and think with your own brain...religion has only been used to control people and that is not God's message!

I agree to an extent. There are certain verses and chapters etc. in the Bible that many people question and interpret differently but the whole point is to recieve the main message.