What could go wrong?

Triangulations is a blog dealing with translation issues in Biblical texts.  That's where I found this handy chart. 

Read from lower left up, then down to the lower right for a summary of some of the trajectories and issues involved in translating sacred texts. 

Note that "religious agenda" imposes an ideological influence at key points in the process.  While, at one level, that might be lamented, it must also be admitted that everyone has an agenda--the skeptic as well as the fundamentalist, and every shade in between.  Might as well admit it up front.  As Triangulations notes, "there is no such thing as pure objectivity."

Note also the "cloud" around "'original' text" and "original intent."  The "cloud" is there because we do not actually have any of these documents. 

Incidentally, this is why, on certain difficult issues, fundamentalists can hedge their position by saying that the text is "inerrant" in the "original autographs."  Since we do not have the "original autographs," who can say?  As a seminary classmate of mine put it, "If we had some ham, we could have some ham and eggs."

People should realize that these issues are all in play behind every major translation of the Bible, and all the minor ones too.  It's a complicated matter.   

Comments

[Sabio Lantz]

John,
Thanx for visiting my Atheist site. What brought you there, if I may ask. I notice that you have very few comments on you blog, but already 6 people have visited me from you site because of this post.

I welcome Christians to my site, but only the unorthodox (or perhaps the "neo-orthodox") will find me anything but irritating. Nonetheless, I love dialogue.

You quoted me well, btw -- thanx

[Sabio Lantz]

John,
I see that your site does not allow e-mail notification of further comments. Why is that? I will not return to blogs to see if there are replies. You may want to activate it on your site to increase your comment traffic. Just a thought.
Write me at google mail with my two names combined if you care to chat.

[John Petty]

Hi sabio,

Thanks for your visit. I'll check the email notification thing. I can't remember what first led me to bookmark your site, but I did, and occasionally read articles there. I appreciate your work, and I like dialog too!

Best wishes

[Sabio Lantz]

Cool, love having you stop in.
I love the dialogue too.
Still can see a way to follow comments. Darn !