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Question: Why are there discrepancies between translations in the Book of Mormon, King James Bible and the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible?: Difference between revisions
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"We, like the first-century apostles, resort to these standard translations to teach our people in terms they can verify by resorting to their own Bibles, yet admittedly, none of these translations is completely free of faults. We use them nevertheless, for the purpose of more effective communication than if we were to translate directly from the Hebrew or Greek." | "We, like the first-century apostles, resort to these standard translations to teach our people in terms they can verify by resorting to their own Bibles, yet admittedly, none of these translations is completely free of faults. We use them nevertheless, for the purpose of more effective communication than if we were to translate directly from the Hebrew or Greek." | ||
Archer's point is that it was more important to the Lord and/or Paul, that Paul's writings be '''familiar''' rather than '''100% precise''' | Archer's point is that it was more important to the Lord and/or Paul, that Paul's writings be '''familiar''' rather than '''100% precise'''. | ||
==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
Revision as of 16:11, 8 October 2007
This article is a draft. FairMormon editors are currently editing it. We welcome your suggestions on improving the content.
Criticism
The Book of Mormon and the Joseph Smith's Inspired Version of the Bible sometimes disagree not only with the King James Version of the Bible, but with each other. Critics frequently point out Matthew 5-7 from the King James and Inspired Versions with 3 Nephi 12-14 from the Book of Mormon. A much celebrated example is:
Matthew 5:48 (King James Version) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
3 Nephi 12:48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:50 (Inspired Version) Ye are therefore commanded to be perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
Source(s) of the criticism
Response
Parallel
Gleason Archer, well known Evangelical Christian and the Author of a highly respected book called "Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties", addresses the issue of Paul citing deficient Greek Septuagint translations that appear in our New Testaments today in lieu of better translations of the Old Testament he could have come up with. Archer says:
"Suppose Paul had chosen to work out a new, more accurate translation into Greek directly from Hebrew. Might not the Bereans have said in reply, “that’s not the way we find it in our Bible. How do we know you have not slanted your different rendering here and there in order to favor you new teaching about Christ?” In order to avoid suspicion and misunderstanding, it was imperative for the apostles and evangelists to stick with the Septuagint in their preaching and teaching, both oral and written.
"We, like the first-century apostles, resort to these standard translations to teach our people in terms they can verify by resorting to their own Bibles, yet admittedly, none of these translations is completely free of faults. We use them nevertheless, for the purpose of more effective communication than if we were to translate directly from the Hebrew or Greek."
Archer's point is that it was more important to the Lord and/or Paul, that Paul's writings be familiar rather than 100% precise.
Conclusion
Endnotes
None
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
FAIR web site
- FAIR Topical Guide: