07-21-2012, 05:09 AM
DrawCloser Wrote:Hi Paul, here's a handful:
1.Will the Western Five be absent? (I do doubt 2 Peter, Jude, and Revelation.)
2. Since this will involve CoE people, will this try to translate the Aramaic text without CoE bias?
3. Regarding the "My God, my God, why have you spared me?" verses -- Since the correct English translation seems ambiguous, can that be footnoted with alternate renderings of the verse?
4. Will Hebrews 2:9 and Acts 20:28 be footnoted because of their uncertain status?
5. Does the CoE have the money and resources to make the translation into printed form?
Hi DrawCloser,
1.Will the Western Five be absent? (I do doubt 2 Peter, Jude, and Revelation.)
We will include the Western Five, but with a note that they are not part of the Peshitta and that they were taken from Greek sources. This is for the benefit of the faithful who are accustomed to the canon of the majority of Christians. But it will be clearly noted that these books are not for liturgical use.
2. Since this will involve CoE people, will this try to translate the Aramaic text without CoE bias?
Bias of any sort won't be a factor, and we will stay true to the plain meaning of the text. However, where there is ambiguity in meaning it may be necessary to draw on the rich patrimony available to us from the history of our church, within the accepted tradition our our faith, as the Apostles have instructed us. The continuity of our faith, including the correct interpretation of scripture, is important.
That may mean that corrections need to be applied to my current translation. The charter of the committee will be to arrive at the correct meaning, where questions arise, within the framework of existing and established orthodox teaching.
3. Regarding the "My God, my God, why have you spared me?" verses -- Since the correct English translation seems ambiguous, can that be footnoted with alternate renderings of the verse?
The footnotes will be a primary feature and will be rich with church history and patristic sources, much like the Orthodox Study Bible for those in the Greek faith.
4. Will Hebrews 2:9 and Acts 20:28 be footnoted because of their uncertain status?
It's unlikely that we will note the occasional variants found in the texts of the Jacobite branch. I may be overruled on that, but I think our primary purpose will be to present the eastern tradition where possible. Also, these are highly-charged Christological variants and it's unlikely that the CoE wants to address that issue within the context of a study bible.
5. Does the CoE have the money and resources to make the translation into printed form?
We do have the resources, yes. We have dedicated resources like Mar Narsai Press in the Diocese of India, which supplies much of our Aramaic liturgical texts in printed form.