“What I learned from Derek Prince and Rabbis from Hebrew University regarding Bible study and translations, and how your worldview, language, and translation can affect your doctrine [and more]"Part2
Guest post by Rick Fox
Shalom friends,
As I’ve promised, I want to introduce you to my friends. The following is Part 2 of Rick Fox’s experience that we began a few days ago. It is shared with permission, written by Rick Fox @thesnootyfox on X (formerly known as Twitter). His website, “The Snooty Fox," provides insights into his background and experiences as a retired investment banker and chaplain. Rick shares his journey in the financial service industry, including his roles as a registered principal, senior vice president, and director of a Wall Street financial services firm. He highlights his expertise in investment banking, restructuring troubled businesses, and assisting ministries. With a background in economics, business, teaching elder in ministry, and his service in the US Army's Chaplain Corps, Rick has had some amazing experiences and freely shares his insights in a way that is both an encouragement and a challenge (You can learn more about him by clicking the linked text above or his picture and name below:).
Part II of “What I learned from Derek Prince and Rabbis from Hebrew University regarding Bible study and translations, and how your worldview, language, and translation can affect your doctrine, discernment and maturity.” I am including Tov Rose @TovRose and Aaron Eby @arbaminim because they are good resources for some of the points in this post.
I believe to get the most out of your Bible, there are a few things you need to know about translations:
First, there is no such thing as an accurate translation. All translations have their strengths and weaknesses. At times, translations are part commentary, part supposition. All translations have altered, in some form or fashion, original intent. We have no original manuscripts, or autographs as they are known. Even though some New Testament manuscripts were originally written in Hebrew, we only have Greek manuscripts. Whether Scripture is written in Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic, it is still written with a Hebrew, or Jewish, mindset and worldview.
If you, like many translators, fail to understand this mindset and Hebrew idioms, grammar and syntax, you are at a complete disadvantage. You are more likely to become a victim of false doctrine based on incorrect translation of words and phases and a misinterpretation of Scriptures.
An example of a translation shaped by the translator’s worldview is John 1:17 in the King James Bible, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” There is no BUT in the Greek. It is actually two declarative statements, but adding the “but” has led many to believe this is a proof text that Jesus cancelled the Law. A false doctrine that totally misshapes how one views Scripture, forms doctrine and draws conclusions.
Another example is in Mark 7:19, where many believe Jesus declared all foods “clean.” Most Bibles have this verse in either italics or parentheses because it’s not in early manuscripts. It is a translator commenting, in his