[editor-surveyor]

.
>> “...born “anothen” (which can mean “again”, or “from above”)—Jesus obviously meant the latter, since He chides Nicodemus for assuming that it meant the former” <<

NEGATORY!

One must take meaning from context, and in this case context demolishes your deception: Nicodemus’ question whether he had to return to his mother’s womb strongly demonstrated that it was “Again,” not from above.

[paladinan]

NEGATORY! One must take meaning from context, and in this case context demolishes your deception: Nicodemus’ question whether he had to return to his mother’s womb strongly demonstrated that it was “Again,” not from above.

Good grief, man: take a breath, and dial down the rhetoric! There's no need to bring in the sneering, vitriolic language such as when you say "your deception" [cue dramatic, sinister music, here]. If you disagree with a post of mine, fine: say so; there's no need for anyone to foam at the mouth and howl their indignation.

Re: your point that the Greek word "anothen" means "again", and "NOT from above" (there's that Protestant "either/or, and not both" mentality, again), don't take my word for it: read, and learn...

Dictionary reference #1 for "anothen":

Dictionary reference #2 for "anothen":

Dictionary reference #3 for "anothen":

Dictionary reference #4 for "anothen":

Convinced, yet? BOTH MEANINGS are appropriate translations of the word... though "from above" is a bit more common, in Scripture (and is usually listed as the first definition--one usually has to go down to the second or third definition to find "again").