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Footnotes in Translations: Good or Bad?

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by jbh28, Sep 20, 2010.

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  1. BobinKy

    BobinKy New Member

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    On my first reading--and sometimes my second reading--I do not read any of the notes--textual, commentary, or application. I try to remain open to God as much as possible. This is the stage where I also pray with God (speaking and listening), as well as praise God by singing a hymn.

    Later in the day, as my schedule permits, I start reading just the notes, one Bible version and/or edition at a time, much in the same fashion as reading a commentary. In the note reading phase, I generally do not read the Biblical text, except to check against a poignant note or two. In my opinion, all notes are commentary in one form or another.

    And, if a specific word or phrase hangs in my mind, I meditate quietly on that word or phrase, usually writing it down and carry it with me in a notebook or 3x5 card. Sometimes I also get out the language aids and do a word study.

    ...Bob
    Kentucky
     
  2. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Study notes and textual footnotes are two different things.

    Textual footnotes have never confused me. Study notes have. I do not use a study Bible for that reason, but I do appreciate the textual footnotes in my copy of the 1611KJV reprint and in the other faithful translations that I have.
     
  3. Winman

    Winman Active Member

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    You cannot tell me that footnotes that say things like "better manuscripts omit this verse" do not cause confusion and doubt. They have to. You do not know if that particular verse(s) is the word of God or an addition man made to the text, therefore you cannot have much faith (if any at all) in that verse(s).

    You can insist that it does not cause you doubt, I don't believe you. I have asked several times if the last twelve verses of Mark 16 are the word of God, and none of those who support the MVs can answer. Of course they can't answer, because they don't know the answer. And why don't they know? Because footnotes have caused them to doubt these verses.

    I on the other hand believeing that God has preserved his pure word through the RT and the KJB in English fully believe the last twelve verses of Mark 16 are absolutely the word of God.
     
    #83 Winman, Sep 29, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 29, 2010
  4. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    :thumbsup::thumbsup::applause:
     
  5. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Ya know I'm getting sick and tired of you telling me what I believe and what I "have to" do. You are NOT God, the Holy Spirit, or Jesus. Stop playing Him.

    You may call me a liar all you want, but the truth stands. You also cannot answer if the last 12 verses of Mark are original either. You can presuppose and posit all you want but NO ONE here on Earth REALLY KNOWS!

    And you know what- it doesn't really matter! No doctrine depends upon those few verses that cannot be proven or supported elsewhere in the New Testament. Same with the verses 1 John and the "Comma" in John. My faith DOES NOT DEPEND UPON HAVING A PERFECT BIBLE. It depends upon having a PERFECT SAVIOR!

    Honest translators will include footnotes just as the KJV translators did. And honest Bible readers will do the research themselves and not build mountains out of molehills nor place restrictions upon God that he did not place upon Himself.

    So just kindly close your trap about what I do or do not believe and keep your cotton-picking opinions about that to yourself.

    Thank you.
     
  6. BobinKy

    BobinKy New Member

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    :eek: I thought Winman's location was Connecticut.

    :smilewinkgrin: ...Bob
    Kentucky
     
  7. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    Do you have Scripture to back up the way you just treated a brother in Christ? I thought personal attacks weren't allowed.
     
  8. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    That was no more a personal attack than his words to me were, or Jesus' words to the men who tried to play God during His time here were.

    He has NO RIGHT to in essence call me a liar and tell me what I believe. I am FED UP with people coming on here and telling me what I do or do not believe about the Bible based on THEIR preconceptions.
     
  9. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    MexDeaf: // My faith DOES NOT DEPEND UPON HAVING A PERFECT BIBLE. It depends upon having a PERFECT SAVIOR! \\

    Amen, Brother MexDeaf -- Preach it!
     
  10. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    That's an excuse.I believe he was using a generic "you" when he posted that.



    As someone I think you know once said:



     
  11. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    To say the TR or KJV supplies the answers to difficult questions like the longer ending of Mark or the Johannine Comma is simply not true. In fact by saying they are "perfect" receptions of the transmitted text brings up all kinds of other issues given how imperfect they actually are.

    Textual questions are difficult ones. The point about the footnotes adding to the confusion is a good one. This past week in our small group I was talking about how what to do when our sins find us out and using the woman caught in adultery from John 8. In the midst of our discussion several people noted their copies of the text had notes about the authenticity of the passage. One of them read a note aloud and asked what was going on with their Bible. (Ironically it was a translation that is supposed to be less cumbersome though the note about the passage was written in a fairly technical way, even using scholarly abbreviation.)

    Now I was able to give a concise answer about how we have some questions about passages given our textual critical history. I can do this because I'm, shall we say, fairly studied on this issue. As I talked I noticed most people around the room went from expressions of concern to that of confidence. I'm not a super huge scholar or anything but I can't imagine how difficult it would be for a layman to try to answer one of those questions on the spot like that.

    As I said above I like footnotes when they make sense. One of my favorite Bibles is one that drops the chapter and verse numbers, places the text in its appropriate form for the genre, and leaves out all translator notes. Its a great way to read the Bible.
     
  12. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    Can't you guys see that if you can't believe the Bible WHICH TELLS YOU ABOUT THE PERFECT SAVIOR, how do you know that He IS a perfect Savior? The Bible is the one telling you that, and you just admitted some passages may not really be Scripture!
     
  13. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    PLEASE stop playing God by telling me I don't believe the Bible just because I don't believe the same things you do about it.
     
  14. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Amen from NY too!!
     
  15. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    "Generic you" or no, it is NOT Winman's job, nor your job, nor your right, to decide what I or anyone else believes about the Bible based upon YOUR preconceptions, any more than it is mine to tell you that you don't believe the Bible based upon my preconceptions.

    I sat under Dr Lee Roberson for 7 years as my pastor. During my time there a student made the HUGE mistake of saying that "Dr. Roberson did not believe the Bible because he did not believe it like Ruckman did." When word got back to Dr. R, he made it a point to stand up in chapel and tell us that "NO ONE was going to tell him that he did not believe the Bible that he had preached from for 60 years." He also put said student on suspension.

    I feel the same way.
     
  16. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    I never TOLD you anything. I asked a question.

     
  17. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    So you're for SUSPENDING anyone who doesn't see things your way?
     
  18. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    Where did I do that?
     
  19. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Sigh... he was placed on supervised suspension for disrespect, not for "not seeing things Dr. R's way." He did go on and graduate, BTW, and is a pastor today.
     
  20. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    I see a LOT of "disrespect" on this thread.
     
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