Expert: Brenda Martin - 4/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Brenda, What do you think of the NWT of the Holy Scriptures? I read that the translators of this version really didn't have any educational background to undertake such a work. Whats your opinion?  Later, Steve

ANSWER: Hebrew and Greek commentator Alexander Thomson had to say in his review on the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures (NT): “The translation is evidently the work of SKILLED and CLEVER scholars, who have sought to bring out as much of the true sense of the Greek text as the English language is capable of expressing.

On the translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (OT), the same reviewer made this comment: “The New World Version is well worth acquiring. It is lively and lifelike, and makes the reader think and study. It is not the work of Higher Critics, but of scholars who honour God and His Word.”—The Differentiator, April 1952, pages 52-7, and June 1954, page 136.

Regarding the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures, Edgar J. Goodspeed, translator of the Greek “New Testament” in An American Translation, wrote in a letter: “I am interested in the mission work of your people, and its world wide scope, and much pleased with the free, frank and vigorous translation. It exhibits a vast array of sound serious learning, as I can testify.”

Since the translators have chosen to remain anonymous, the folk who wrote that about them (probably apostates) are talking nonsense. Therefore the question cannot here be answered in terms of their educational background. The translation must be appraised on its own merits as these scholars have done.

So having used it for over 30 years now, I think it is absolutely brilliant, & I have studied with many folk over the years who appreciate it also, having compared it with their own bible, they can see the NWT is a far more accurate rendering.

All the best
Brenda


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Brenda, Yes, I also heard the translation committee was supposed to be kept secret. Also I have read a couple of books which state you could number the translators by the fingers on one hand. They also stated only one translator had attended college and that was for only two years. I'm not sure where they got their info but I might check that later.By the way, have you read "Coping with the cults" by Lorri MacGregor? If not you should read pages 21 and 22 about Johannes Greber. It's a scarey thing! Later, Steve

Answer
You are reading apostate literature written by ex Jehovah's Witnesses, so anything they write is bound to be derogatory,I do not read their rubbish & have no intention of ever reading it,what you read is up to you but please dont quote their writings to me.

I will not be reading the book on "cults" either