Almost done. Two more segments. To include alternative readings from different manuscripts or not? Will including them only stir up doubt and unprofitable debate, or will such forthrightness only enhance the Scriptures and our pursuit of Truth? The Translators decided for the latter and included alternative readings. King James was insistent that no marginal notes be included that explained or indoctrinated (what we would call a “study Bible”). He was insistent that this translation allow the Bible to speak for itself and thus hold within itself all the possibilities of interpretation for believers to search out “by conference” with one another.
Three pull quotes:
Variety of Translations is profitable for the finding out of the sense of the Scriptures: so diversity of signification and sense in the margin, where the text is no so clear, must needs do good, yea, is necessary. In a word, this provides the thesis of this segment: variety, options = good.
It is better to make doubt of those things which are secret, than to strive about those things that are uncertain. One of the nagging tendencies I have observed in evangelical circles: to deny that anything is uncertain (except in matters that we personally are indifferent about). Much of what Paul terms “useless arguments about words” is generally the result of trying to put too fine a point on matters which are, in fact “uncertain” or “secret.” Historically it’s also been at the root of what orthodox Christianity has considered “heresy.” The “heretic” cannot hold truths in tension and ultimately feels he must denigrate one to rescue the other in an effort to remove uncertainty, thereby creating chasms and camps.
Whatsoever things are necessary are manifest. A ancient and much needed pithy piece of wisdom from Chrysostom. “The works of the flesh are obvious”; “The children of God and the children of the devil are manifest.” If it matters it’s manifest – and not just to your eyes or to your camp.
Reasons Moving Us To Set Diversity of Senses in the Margin, where there is Great Probability for Each
Some peradventure would have no variety of senses to be set in the margin, lest the authority of the Scriptures for deciding of controversies by that show of uncertainty, should somewhat be shaken. But we hold their judgment not to be so sound in this point. For though, whatsoever things are necessary are manifest, as S. Chrysostom saith, and as S. Augustine, In those things that are plainly set down in the Scriptures, all such matters are found that concern Faith, Hope, and Charity. Yet for all that it cannot be dissembled, that partly to exercise and whet our wits, partly to wean the curious from loathing of them for their every-where plainness, partly also to stir up our devotion to crave the assistance of God's spirit by prayer, and lastly, that we might be forward to seek aid of our brethren by conference, and never scorn those that be not in all respects so complete as they should be, being to seek in many things ourselves, it hath pleased God in his divine providence, here and there to scatter words and sentences of that difficulty and doubtfulness, not in doctrinal points that concern salvation, (for in such it hath been vouched that the Scriptures are plain) but in matters of less moment, that fearfulness would better beseem us than confidence, and if we will resolve, to resolve upon modesty with S. Augustine, (though not in this same case altogether, yet upon the same ground) Melius est dubitare de occultis, quam litigare de incertis, it is better to make doubt of those things which are secret, than to strive about those things that are uncertain. There be many words in the Scriptures, which be never found there but once, (having neither brother nor neighbor, as the Hebrews speak) so that we cannot be holpen by conference of places. Again, there be many rare names of certain birds, beasts and precious stones, etc. concerning which the Hebrews themselves are so divided among themselves for judgment, that they may seem to have defined this or that, rather because they would say something, than because they were sure of that which they said, as S. Jerome somewhere saith of the Septuagint. Now in such a case, doth not a margin do well to admonish the Reader to seek further, and not to conclude or dogmatize upon this or that peremptorily? For as it is a fault of incredulity, to doubt of those things that are evident: so to determine of such things as the Spirit of God hath left (even in the judgment of the judicious) questionable, can be no less than presumption. Therefore as S. Augustine saith, that variety of Translations is profitable for the finding out of the sense of the Scriptures: so diversity of signification and sense in the margin, where the text is no so clear, must needs do good, yea, is necessary, as we are persuaded. We know that Sixtus Quintus expressly forbiddeth, that any variety of readings of their vulgar edition, should be put in the margin, (which though it be not altogether the same thing to that we have in hand, yet it looketh that way) but we think he hath not all of his own side his favorers, for this conceit. They that are wise, had rather have their judgments at liberty in differences of readings, than to be captivated to one, when it may be the other. If they were sure that their high Priest had all laws shut up in his breast, as Paul the Second bragged, and that he were as free from error by special privilege, as the Dictators of Rome were made by law inviolable, it were another matter; then his word were an Oracle, his opinion a decision. But the eyes of the world are now open, God be thanked, and have been a great while, they find that he is subject to the same affections and infirmities that others be, that his skin is penetrable, and therefore so much as he proveth, not as much as he claimeth, they grant and embrace.
No comments:
Post a Comment