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Why are translators of the Bible so hell bent?
19 commentsin: Spirituality..04/02/08, 05:43:16 PM
Here are more comments on the passages where Jesus talks about hell. To get the full effect, please read the three previous posts.
“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye – even your good eye – causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand – even your stronger hand – causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”
Matthew 5:27-30
The passage above is the next in the series of verses that Jesus refers to “hell,” or rather, more accurately translated – “Gehenna.” Much like the idea that Jesus presented in the verses just before this, in regards to festering anger, Jesus here is applying the same principle to adultery. The law prohibits sleeping with your neighbor’s wife, but Jesus reinforces the concept that the final act of adultery is not the beginning and end of this problem. It starts much earlier as a thought in the mind and lust of the heart. Jesus simply encourages us to catch things early. Deal with this cancer of sexual lust while it’s small. Jesus uses the metaphor of amputation to illustrate the point. Cut off the part that is infected so that it doesn’t spread to the whole body. Jesus is showing us that it is better to suffer the loss of a small part of us now – namely the suffering that goes with resisting temptation in our thought life – rather than suffering a much greater destruction if this cancer spreads. Deal with this early before it takes you down the ultimate path of destruction that is symbolized by the valley of Gehenna. This is very logical. Be brutal at dealing with lust while it has a weaker hold of you. Thoughts become fantasies, fantasies become flirtation and flirtation leads to crossing lines that you swore you would never cross. Gehenna symbolized the end of the road, a place to dispose of worthless things and the final destruction of all that is filthy and evil. A man who sacrifices his marriage and devastates his children for a fleeting moment of sexual deviance has entered “hell” and has taken his wife and kids with him. This passage makes perfect sense understanding that Gehenna was a real place and this is a more natural interpretation of the passage. It seems to me that this is how Jesus’ original audience would have taken Jesus’ teaching.
I have a question for any of you who would like to comment. Doesn’t it worry you that the biases of those who translate the scripture are affecting the way our English Bibles are being published. Here is another example that I have found. Look at how the New Living Translation prints Matthew 7:13: “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell (a) is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.” You see the word “hell” used here. The actual text uses the greek word that means “destruction.” Gehenna isn’t even used here. Yet the translators perfer to use the word “hell,” which doesn’t only mean destruction to us. It also carries the idea of eternal punishment. The good news is that the translators do include a footnote which is referenced by the the markings (a) above. In the footnote they reveal the more accurate translation. But why don’t they just translate it properly in the first place? Anyway, talk to me. What are your feelings about this and if translations are biased in regards to using the word “hell,” what else is going on that we don’t know about?
Comments
“Hey Paul,
Translators are "hell" bent because the very idea of a torturous place for those who have wronged you can get what you deam the correct punishment. The concept of eternal torment feeds the pride and flesh. We humans want justice but in a way that seems fitting to us. Not to mention it allows the ability to control and manipulate people to pay their unbiblical tithes, support unbiblical practice of pastors, reverands, and priests, etc etc etc.
It is only when you let LOVE live in your heart, that you can forgive and want what is best for your enemy to be redeemed as you will be redeemed that we fully understand the the depth and power of His Love. And that God is THE GOOD FATHER, knowing what is best for each of us to turn from our wickedness and walk renewed, rebirthed IN HIM. Oh glorious day!
I am enjoying your blog. Keep searching. Keep sharing. More and more, people are awakening as if after a long sleep. The Spirit is moving. It must move in this present age . . . wickedness abounds.
God is good and just and right and knows the beginning from the end. He is the best guy for the job of Ruler of the Universe. :-P
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“ [ The actual text uses the greek word that means “destruction.” ]
You mean sjeol? As in, into the unseen, dissapearing. It was often used for national judgements, for example, with Capernacaum, or however you spell that city's name.
Stefan Vink„
“There are people who scare people to get what they want
We gave because we believed
We gave because we loved
Whatever the motivation
May we not fall into the same temptation.
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Cheerful giving, let's advocate
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“The bias is obvious. I don't believe that the translators purpously translate with bias, I believe that they are well meaning people. I just think that they are so believing in the doctrine of eternal torment that it becomes natural to translate their own doctrine. I also believe that the deep thing's of God are hidden purpously by God for those who He will have seek. Goes along with 'search and you shall find' and Jesus also said 'the truth shall set you free'. Just my two cents.
Grace & Peace„
“I wonder if in past times the fear of hell, has been used as a means to manipulate the "sheep" into serving the needs of the institutional church. There are many examples in Europe of Cathederals(or however you spell it)that depicted the totures of hell in very conspicuous spots to fire the fears of the congregation. The Cathedral of Alby is a prime example. Or as one theologian has put it. There has to be something worse than church to keep people coming back. :).
I appreciate the comments you made Shannon more and more people are awakening as if after a long sleep. That has been so true in my own heart.
Keep on sharing from the heart Paul. I love what I'm reading here.„
“Dude, you know you're messing with the power structure again, right?
Goebbels was Hitler's minister of propaganda, and he described the age old way to repress and control the masses. Scare them (with Hell), Protect them from what you just scared them with (penal substitution and eternal salvation), and Entertain them (with good worship music).
It's so obvious...„
“I took "Intro to Greek" in College. I don't remember much about it, frankly - but I did learn something about translation. What I learned is something that anyone who speaks more than one language already knows, and that is:
You must do some amount of interpretation to translate.
A literal word-for-word translation usually does not capture the essense of the text - so being more 'literal' does not mean superior. Try telling a joke in a 2nd language and find out how hard it is to make it work...
So, its good to understand the position on interpretation that a particular translation has when reading it. The NASB is a more literal translation, the NIV uses more interpretation, and then you have the paraphrases like The Message, which do not claim to be translations at all, but re-tellings.
So, its a great idea to have a few translations using different methods of interpretation and read them side by side.
One fascinating translation of parts of the old testament is by Everett Fox, a jew, who uses original spellings of names (like Yitzhak instead of Issac) and describes the angel guarding the Garden of Eden as a 'winged sphinx' (much more scary sounding) to try and capture the Hebrew culture of those writings, rather than the Westernized version we are used to.
Here is a review:
http://www.bible-researcher.com/schocken.html
„
“People defend doctrine because they place it before God himself. Doctrine is easier to explain and it's easier to control. This behavior is an extension of fear.
Why are people afraid? Who wants to oppose thousands of years of teaching and millions of people who believe otherwise? For several thousand years, people have been using hell as a threat for those who don't walk in obedience. For those of us who contest the theology of Hell, it's like kicking against a razorwire fence. And bloody feet stop being cool after the first couple of kicks.
The only thing that makes it worthwhile is if the Holy Spirit is telling us to do it. We can be speaking his revelation out of turn and with the wrong heart. When you desperately hate false teaching, it can be hard not to speak against it with anger and rage in your heart. But I know Jesus can move through that too...
Keep seeking. I'm anxious to see what you find when you get into the word "Hades"...„
“There is a long jump between critiquing the word "hell" translated in a given spot and denying the entity exists altogether. Are you advocating that "hell" isn't real? „
“Hi Pam,
Thanks for commenting. I guess I'm just asking some honest questions. I wouldn't deny the existence of hell based on how a few verses are translated. I'm only beginning the search for truth about this. I do believe in a form of hell, but I'm questioning the nature of what I believed it to be. I felt the starting place would have to be Jesus' teaching about this. Upon studying these verses, the discrepancy in translation is what stood out first to me. There is much more that Jesus said about punishment and eternity. So stay tuned...„
“Very interesting article. It sure does put things in a different light, doesn't it?
Keep sharing the literal meanings of the words that were translated incorrectly. It really helps.
Can you suggest a book, or an actual authentic translation of the Bible?„
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