Toward a Clearer Understanding of Biblical Inerrancy
Does the fact that textual variations exist in our biblical manuscripts make you uncomfortable? It certainly made me uncomfortable in a Greek course during my junior year of college when we came across some variant readings in a New Testament passage we were studying. I must have assumed that the manuscripts available to us today were without error and contained no variation. It made me think about how these variations affect the...
“Translating God’s Word”
Translation it is that openeth the window, to let in the light; that breaketh the shell, that we may eat the kernel; that putteth aside the curtaine, that we may looke into the most Holy place; that remooveth the cover of the well, that wee may come by the water, even as Jacob rolled away the stone from the mouth of the well, by which meanes the flockes of Laban were watered. Indeede without translation into the vulgar tongue, the...
An Introduction to Old Testament Textual Criticism
In the opening words of the book of Ruth, one finds a variety of readings between the textual witnesses. The Masoretic Text (MT) reads, “In the days of the judging of the judges,” but the Greek Septuagint (LXX) simply reads, “when the judges judged.” Moreover, the Syriac Peshitta reads, “In the days of the judges.” Though this example is relatively insignificant, it demonstrates the dilemma of the Old Testament textual critic. The...
Book Review: Sexuality, Gender, and the Church
“We’re living and ministering in an era of swift and unprecedented change, especially regarding the definition of sexuality, gender, and marriage,” writes J. Matthew Pinson in Sexuality, Gender, and the Church.[1] Though these issues are not unique to our day, many changes concerning sexuality and gender have arisen in recent years that have forced the church to reaffirm and strengthen its historical positions. While numerous books...
How and Why Pastors Should Study the Biblical Languages
In today’s age, countless translations of the Scriptures exist. Some translators attempt to convey the most literal meaning of the original text while others try to contextualize Scripture in ways that help the English-speaking, modern reader understand what the text is saying. Some translations are mostly word-for-word while others are thought-for-thought. Though each method serves its purpose, nothing plumbs Scripture’s depths like...
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