www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Translations of the Bible to be used in Church

Seeing that Father Deacon Lance has not yet responded, I presume he is taking a Siesta.

Does anyone know much about Monsignor Ronald Knox's translation of the Bible? Why isn't it used?

It is, I think, a beautiful translation. The notes in the front of the New Testament say that the Hierarchy of England and Wales commissioned the translation from the Vulgate, and officially recognized it. The Archbishop of Westminster, Bernard, on Jan 18, 1945 said, "The official recognition now given by the Hierarchy to this translation does not mean that the Rheims version of the New Testament is to be displaced. On the contrary, we now have two official versions in the Church in this country." I certainly like my copy better than some of the "official" translations of more recent years. I have never seen the Old Testament, so I don't know about it. I did hear that Knox never intended the Old Testament to be an official Bible, but only the Old Testament as he would have liked it to read. I haven't seen that in print anywhere, but as I said, I haven't seen the Old Testament, either.

Christ is Risen!

I have a copy, and consult it. I used it much more until I moved to using the RSV bible for study and prayers years ago.

When Msgr. Knox translated his bible (wasn't it during the 2nd War?), of course, there was no question of using it in worship, which was conducted in Latin.

It was a great work, but I think his more lasting legacy will be his corpus of sermons (and his novels).

I remember reading a biography of the Cardinal of Westminster (was it Griffin?) years ago that contained a chapter about the difficulties and disputes surrounding Msgr.'s work. I forget the story exactly, but it was a good story, and would be worth looking up the book to read it again.

the unworthy,
Elias

I use it sometimes for the Institution narratives and some bits of the Pauline Epistles. As mentioned, I like the Moffatt bible, but some bits of the translation are suspect, and Knox's language is similar.

N

James,

Yes, I was on "siesta". And no I had never noticed that before. I guess they felt siesta is an adopted American word everyone would understand? Although nap would have sufficed.

Fr. Deacon Lance

America would be the last place I would link to the word 'siesta'. Nap is like snack and they are both American in my mind. Now siestas are a venerable tradition and recommended to all, especially the deacons in Christ.

ICXC
NIKA

Dear Deacon Lance,

I did not suggest that you were on a siesta...that was someone else...though I usally get that heavy eye feeling around 2:00PM PST .

There are numerous wordings through out the NAB in the same manner...I find it surprising that the 1970's unrevised OT used that...in fact the first NAB NT used astrologers for the wisemen Matthew chapter 2 which was changed in the 1970 Roman Missal, however in the RNAB current version the Lord was crucified between two revolutionaries which did get retained in the current Roman Missal text.

To me there are too many of these modern liberties that take one away from true tradition...

I do think that the new liturgical texts will be based on the RSV...

What one studies privately is one thing...what we use in liturgical practice is another...

I'm 99% sure that my Eastern brethern would not make such a mistake...

james

Now I AM confused. Most Protestants believe in the Presence of Christ in the Eucharist? Aren't the grape juice and crackers they use in their services merely symbolic, done only in memory of the Mystical Supper?

Dear Irlanda,

I believe the Lutherans, as one example, believe in the Holy Presence of the Holy gifts, during the mass only.

Is this correct?

Michael

Thank you very much lost&found. I will look into this -- it interests me very much.
I would also still like to hear some thoughts about "supersubstantial" being used instead of "daily" bread in the Douay-Rheims. I understand that the DR is a translation from the Latin Vulgate, which was translated from the Greek Septuagint. So...for you Greek cognoscenti out there, how does the word "supersubstantial" translate -- i.e. what is the original Greek word?

Irlanda,

That is the definition we who grew up as Catholic were always given, but it does not reflect the true belief most Protestants hold. Anglican belief is nearly the same as Catholic and they reserve the sacrament. Lutherans believe in contransubtantiation, and most reserve the sacrament. Presbyterians and Methodists, while not reserving the sacrament, will take it to the sick and shut-in. Even if all do not believe in the Real Presence (physical presence), the above believe in the True Presence (spiritual presence) and that Holy Communion is sacramental sign/vehicle of grace and celebrate the Lord's Supper with reverence and diginity and at the very least, benefit from spiritual communion with Christ, even if we as Catholic hold they do not have valid orders and consequently the real physical presence of Christ.

Fr. Deacon Lance

Dear Father Deacan Lance,

Thank you for clarifying that. Question- I know in the Methodist church in my small hometown, Communion was bread and grapefruit juice. Yes, grapefruit juice. So that is one that throws me.

In Christ,

Michael

I knew of a local Church of God that used RC Cola. They were opposed to alcohol, so wine was not allowed.

RC Cola? Do they not realise "RC" is also short for "Roman Catholic"?!? :p

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Хрїстосъ воскрεсε изъ мєртвыхъ, смεртїю на смεрть наступи, и грωбнымъ животъ дарова!