Posted on 05/06/2006 11:42:13 AM PDT by Salvation
by Dr. Jeff Mirus, special to CatholicCulture.org
May 5, 2006
Determining Meaning
One of the examples Fr. Neuhaus used was Genesis 1:1-3. What has been traditionally rendered as “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” has recently been changed to “In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth,” which fails to capture the full force of the Christian understanding of “the beginning”. Of course, this is not so much a quarrel over the translation of a particular verse as over a trend. For example, we see a similar loss of force in the Christian understanding of Psalm 23:6. In this verse, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” becomes “I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.”
Richard J. Clifford, SJ of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, the defender of the NAB in this instance, argues that scholars rightly based their new Genesis translation on such things as “the phraseology of comparable Near Eastern cosmogonies, and the Masoretic vocalization” of the text. He further notes that at the time of the psalms, Israel “had no belief in life after death in a modern sense”, and one cannot push later interpretations onto early texts. “Tradition,” says Fr. Clifford, “should not determine biblical translation.” This seems quite sound.
A Unique Text
But is it really? It is certainly true that a translator ought not to impose on the text a meaning that it cannot bear, no matter what his theological presuppositions lead him to prefer the text should say. But when the language used can admit of a variety of interpretations, or when the meaning simply isn’t completely clear, translators face an unusual challenge with Scripture. The challenge is to remember that the Holy Spirit is the primary author. It is, therefore, the Holy Spirit’s mind the translator must ultimately try to read, not the mind of the human agent who drafted the text.
With apologies to Fr. Clifford, tradition can and must affect how Scripture is translated. Tradition is reflective of Faith which, in turn, is reflective of the mind of the Holy Spirit. Knowing more about the truths the Holy Spirit wishes to convey than did the original human authors of the Old Testament, the Church sometimes comes to see a particular fullness of meaning in a Scriptural verse which a good translator is bound to respect. In other words, the role of the translator is not to do his best to return us to the understanding of reality held by the human agent who penned each ancient book. Rather, the translator must attempt to translate in such a manner that the greatest possible range of meaning inspired by the Holy Spirit is conveyed.
This is a daunting but not an impossible task. It is possible precisely because “it is the Church’s Bible, not the Bible of the academic guild.” In other words, what may sound to some like petulance on the part of Fr. Neuhaus is not petulance at all. It is, in fact, the sine qua non of Biblical translation. Without this precise attitude, the Bible becomes just another book, one of a great many interesting products of the human mind.
For Years to Come
Take the translation of Psalm 23:6. The verse employs a Hebraism perhaps best translated as “for length of days”, which is not an idiomatic expression in English, though it can be (and has been) translated that way, with perhaps not unsatisfactory results. Now, among many possible choices for translation of this Hebraism, let us consider two: “forever” (the traditional translation) and “for years to come” (in the NAB). Which is better?
Admittedly, the question is not simple. It seems reasonable that the Hebrew refers to a great length of time. But if we consider the sketchy understanding of the after-life in those days, we naturally think a little harder about whether it really means “forever”. Given the Hebrew propensity for poetic intensification or even hyperbole, however, we can see that “forever” might well have been understood at the time in an accommodated sense, even without a full theological understanding. Thus, for example, on our wedding days we all expect to be married forever. Even, perhaps, forever and a day.
What to do? Well, the Church knows something about the mind of the Holy Spirit that the human author didn’t know. The Church knows that we will ultimately dwell in the house of the Lord forever in the fullest eschatological sense, and the Church also knows that this is one of several layers of meaning the Holy Spirit intended in this text. Because the Church knows this, as reflected in the tradition of her interpretation, it is the translator’s job to select a phraseology which is faithful to the literal text without unnecessarily obscuring this richer meaning.
Clearly, then, the translation “for years to come” fails. And it fails precisely because it divorces Scripture from the mind of the Holy Spirit, insisting instead that its meaning is exhausted by the conceptual limitations of the human agent who penned the words in a particular time and place. The translation “forever”, in contrast, leaves the text open to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to whom all the sequential stages of Revelation are equally present. And it does this without imposing upon the actual words a meaning which they cannot bear.
The Church’s Bible
I’ve emphasized several times in other contexts (with no originality whatsoever) that the Bible must be interpreted in the heart of the Church. Because no language, especially no ancient language, can be translated into another with exact correspondence, translation is in part an act of interpretation. The richer the text, the more difficult it becomes to convey in the new language all the shades of meaning present in the original. This task becomes even more difficult when the translator himself, perhaps inevitably, does not perceive all the meanings the text contains.
In dealing with the works of a living author, of course, the translator should consult the author. But this is also possible with Scripture, for which purpose there is only one way to consult the Holy Spirit. Now we understand what Fr. Neuhaus means when he says: “It’s the Church’s Bible.”
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We have lots of rosaries, too! The children are given them at church all the time, or they come with the schoolbooks. We hang them on a key rack in the front hall.
I'm the opposite with Bibles. I have my one (new last year) Ignatius RSV sitting on top of the TV cabinet with the daily lectionary, and everyone uses it for every project. I take it to church to use with my Sunday School class, bring it to the computer if I'm in a discussion and need chapter and verse, etc.
Also, the Navarre Bible series from Sceptre Publishing (the Opus Dei publishing arm) has excellent footnotes. Each book of the Bible is seperate with the latest Latin Vulgate text and the RSV-CE used for the English translation. This is the preferred English translation of the Holy Scriptures for the English translations of official documents emanating from the Holy See.
The footnotes are those used by 'Salvation' in her posts of the daily Readings.
I know that they have the complete New Testament available, and are probably finished with the Old Testament by this time as well.
As a lector I know exactly what he is getting at. The NAB language only its translators can love. Reading it outloud is hard, because its English style is flat at best and much like that of someone to whom English is a second language. I recall when it was first published, Wm. Buckley commented on its banality. You use the RSV. So do I. From time to time, when I had to deliver a particular bad line, I would substitute another translation. They say that lectors should says it as if we meant it? How can we do that when we don't know what it means, even with a commentary to help?
**and are probably finished with the Old Testament by this time as well.**
They are making progress on the other books of the Old Testament. They had already footnoted the Septuagint. I was delighted this year that they had all the footnotes on Isaiah during Lent.
Let me know if you discover the Navarre commentary is completed.
Unfortunately, the Old Jerusalem study Bible is not being printed. Bah! My loss.
**They say that lectors should says it as if we meant it? How can we do that when we don't know what it means, even with a commentary to help?**
Good point. Makes me want to send the url of this thread to the USCCB.
**The footnotes are those used by 'Salvation' in her posts of the daily Readings.**
I really like offering as many translations as possible. I post the NAB, Navarre is the RSV as you state, and annalex posts the Douay-Rheims and the Vulgate daily. We can pick and choose!
I keep a tab open to the RSV online open all the time...I have a great memory for passages, but often forget where they are at!
That's nice, but unfortunately, what is being marketed as Catholicism in many instances these days is not authentic. It is a corrupted, modernist, populist, and sometimes charismatic version, particularly with respect to The Mass.
I'm going to head back to my trad forums.
I prefer not to be added to that ping list, thank you. My ties to Minnesota are no longer strong, and I have some issues with Father Altier's actions. Nothing personal, just that I'm not interested.
Dear AlaninSA,
Many Thaks for your message. I know that some Catholics have issues with him regarding his stance on "Communion in the Hand" but I feel that he is entitled to his opinion and he has not broken any canon law by speaking out on that Topic.
I thought that Father Altier was much loved by Conservative/Traditional Catholics.
You seem to be giving me another spin on Father Altier.
Also, you made the following comment that you have some issues with Father Altier's Actions.
Could you spell ou what they are either on this Thread or via Freepmail to me as I am interested in knowing what is it that ticks you off about him.
Personally Speaking, if it was not for Father Altier's Homilies I would have joined the Baptist Church or perhaps some Bible Based Pentecostal Church.
His Homilies were "Life Giving" to me in more ways than one.
IN THE RISEN LORD JESUS CHRIST,
"Ticks off" is a bit strong a term for my feelings. I'm not harboring anything big, I just don't care to read his homilies.
My issue with him is his public disobedience.
That's all.
Remember, I'm a KofC member. Obeying the magisterium is a big deal to me.
"I had just read an article about the title, in Greek I believe it is kecharitomene, that Gabriel uses when addressing Mary. Apparently, it's a unique word."
Not quite unique. It also appears once in Sirach (it's unique to non Catholics). In that case the RSV-CE translates it as justified, and does not refer to an actual person, but an ideal. Can you tell me the name of the article/publication you read, or provide a link? I'd like to read it.
Thanks
v
Dear BEARWASH,
Many Thanks for your message.
However, and this is my personal opinion that in a Country like Vietnam -- The Catholicism being promoted is of the Traditional/Conservative Variety as is the case in some other countries in South-East Asia.
I do agree with you that in a number of countries in Europe as well as in North America -- A Modernist Version of Catholicism is being promoted.
I will keep you on the Ping List of Father Altier's Homilies.
That's truly wonderful and I would not have expected it. I learn new something every day.
Thanks for letting me know. Your contributions continue to excel as always.
Sorry for the assumptions I made -- just a bad mood, I guess.
Feeling a lot better now!
Dear AlaninSA,
You are obviously unaware that he has been censored by The Ultra- Liberal Archbishop of Minneapolis -- Harry Flynn.
Also, I fail to see how Father Altier is disobedient -- His Homilies and Talks are no longer available on "A Voice in the Desert".
You may not agree with me, but there are many Cardinals and Archbishops in the Catholic Church in the United States and Europe who are "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing".
Examples are Cardinal Mahoney, Archbishop Flynn, etc who have been promoting all kinds of Ultra-Liberal Catholicism and have been endangering the Catholic Faith among the Catholic Faithful for a number of years.
Some of these Cardinals and Archbishops are even opposed to the "Traditional Teaching of the Magisterium".
I for one, would never obey an Archbishop or Cardinal who endorses Immorality or Ultra- Liberal Catholicism or is a Practicing Homosexual like Archbishop Rembert Weakland of Milawaukee.
Since, Tomorrow is Good Shepherd Sunday-- I just have one question for you -- Could you please name any Cardinals or Archbishops in the Catholic Church in the United States who are "True Shepherds".
Only a few come to mind. Like Archbishop Chaput of Denver, Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, Oregon, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska etc.
Also, you have said that obeying the Magisterium is a big deal for you. Yes, it is for me too.
But we need to discern between "True Shepherds" and those who just claim to be Shepherds but are far from it.
I believe that Father Altier speaks the truth regarding the current situation in the Church and that has ticked off Archbishop Flynn as well as some other Priests from the Archbishop's Office.
In anycase, I respect your views on this matter. I have a high regard for the KOFC.
Dear BearWash,
Many Thanks for your message. Now, let me also clarify something that I did not really get into in my last Post with you and that is what is going on in some Cities in India in the Catholic Church.
The Catholicism that is unfortunately being promoted in some cities in India by a number of Ultra-Liberal Jesuits is of the Modernist Kind and has led many Catholics in places like Bombay, Bangalore, etc to leave the Catholic Church and seek solace in Bible- Based Pentecostal Churches that seem to be sprouting everywhere in Cities throughout India.
The situation in South- East Asia is quite different from what is happening in India and that I suspect is because the Religious Orders engaged in Missionary or Pastoral Work in countries like Vietnam or Myanmar are by and large Conservative and Traditional.
Your bad mood is forgiven. It happens sometimes -- nothing really to worry about.
Tomorrow is "Good Shepherd Sunday". Let us pray for True Shepherds in the Catholic Church whether they are Priests, religious, Bishops, etc.
I'm not Catholic, but I am Christian. Let me just add my own 2-cents worth. Without the promise of everlasting life, neither Christianity, not any other religion, have anything to offer mankind. We might all as well become socialists, or robbers.
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