How can the New World Translation be the ''finest Bible translation'' without containing any errors?

by RULES & REGULATIONS 13 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  RULES & REGULATIONS

  Here is a photo and article where the Governing Body claims that the New World Bible Translation Committee and Jehovah's ''spirit-begotten sons'' wrote the finest Bible translation available to mankind.

  The Watchtower—Study Edition | February 2017

  “WHO REALLY IS THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE?”

  12. Since the Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible, what questions arise?

  12 The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural understanding since 1870. Of course, Jesus did not tell us that his faithful slave would produce perfect spiritual food. So how can we answer Jesus’ question: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?” (Matt. 24:45) What evidence is there that the Governing Body is filling that role? Let us consider the same three factors that directed the governing body in the first century.

  Here is the Watchtower Study article stating that the Governing Body is ''neither inspired nor infallible, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction and not produce perfect spiritual food.''

  So if Jehovah inspired an imperfect organization to write a newly revised edition, how can the New World Translation be the ''finest translation'' without containing any errors?

  
  
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  sir82

  Maybe I missed, but where do they claim that the NWT "does not contain any errors"?

  "Finest" is not synonymous with "perfect" or "error-free".
  
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  RULES & REGULATIONS

  "Finest" is not synonymous with "perfect" or "error-free".

  They use ''finest'' as a weasel word. ''Finest'' in Jehovah's Witness land would be ingrained as ''perfect'' or ''error-free.''

  ---

  weasel word: noun
  

  a word used to temper the forthrightness of a statement; a word that makes one's views equivocal, misleading, or confusing.
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  sir82

  Well, they are definitely masters at weasel words.

  Still, I don't read any hint of them claiming an "error-free" translation.
  
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  Ding

  The NWT is the "finest" in terms of supporting WT interpretations and dogma.

  Even so, there are places where it doesn't do so well at that.

  John 1:3 is an example: "All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence."

  That certainly seems to support the conclusion that Jesus is God.

  I don't know why they didn't add in a couple of "others" into this text (which aren't there in the Greek) like they did in Colossians 1:16-17 to avoid this "problem."

  Colossians 1:16-17 (NWT): "because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All other things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all other things, and by means of him all other things were made to exist..."

  I thought sure they would make this change in John 1:3 in the 2013 NWT edition because a lot of critics have commented on it, but they didn't...
  
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  WTWizard

  Errors? That book is full of LIES! Not just errors. They said that this book was the finest translation back in 1984, when they bashed the King James version for having so many faults. Then they revised it in 2013. How can a perfect translation be in need of revision? That is, unless it is full, not just of mistakes, but of lies.
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  slimboyfat

  There they go again, being ever so discreet.
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  RULES & REGULATIONS

  Errors? That book is full of LIES! Not just errors. They said that this book was the finest translation back in 1984, when they bashed the King James version for having so many faults.

  Here is just one example of a lie from the Governing Body and Writing Committees 2013 New World Translation revision:

  2 Corinthians 5:20 KING JAMES BIBLE

  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

  2 Corinthians 5:20 NEW WORLD TRANSLATION 2013
  

  20 Therefore, we are ambassadors+ substituting for Christ,+ as though God were making an appeal through us. As substitutes for Christ, we beg: “Become reconciled to God.”
  
  
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  Sea Breeze

  Substituting for Christ ?

  Sounds a lot like the Catholic doctrine of Papal Authority.

  Quote:

  
  

  Question: "Is the pope the Vicar of Christ?"
  
  Answer: The term "vicar" comes from the Latin word vicarius, which means "instead of." In the Catholic Church, the vicar is the representative of a higher-ranking official, with all of the same authority and power that that official has. Calling the pope the "Vicar of Christ" implies that he has the same power and authority that Christ had over the church.
  

  Jesus said that many would claim his authority saying I am he.
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  Downtowner

  Didn't Jesus warn that false Christ's would arise that that "anyone" (not some) saying they are the Christ do not beleive them? It sounds like apostasy crept in like a wolf in sheep's clothing as Jesus predicted and it's recorded in the Bible. In recent years I've been questioning if the Apostle Paul wasn't apostate because he taught things contrary to what Jesus taught.