The Virgin Mary: revised in 2011

[Vanguard]

Just read an article from last year:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42215497/ns/us_news-life/t/bible-edits-leave-some-feeling-cross/

Here's the "cliff note" version:

Both the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the [NIV] Committee on Bible Translation are making revisions to their respective bibles. They have concluded that the Hebrew word "almah" more accuractely means a young woman, not a virgin (Judaism has been saying this for decades). As such, they are changing the OT verse of Isaiah 7:14, which is the verse that predicts the birth of the messiah to what used to be interpreted as a virgin, but is now going to be interpreted as a young woman.

Wow.

There are two thoughts that come to mind:
The first one is, does this mess up an age old doctrine of Christianity?
The second one is, does it really matter who God chose to be Jesus' mother?

I am still on the fence about this. I prefer the NASB but the NIV is widely the best selling and most used bible for Christians.

 

[ezra]

Just read an article from last year:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42215497/ns/us_news-life/t/bible-edits-leave-some-feeling-cross/

Here's the "cliff note" version:

Both the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the [NIV] Committee on Bible Translation are making revisions to their respective bibles. They have concluded that the Hebrew word "almah" more accuractely means a young woman, not a virgin (Judaism has been saying this for decades). As such, they are changing the OT verse of Isaiah 7:14, which is the verse that predicts the birth of the messiah to what used to be interpreted as a virgin, but is now going to be interpreted as a young woman.

Wow.

There are two thoughts that come to mind:
The first one is, does this mess up an age old doctrine of Christianity?
The second one is, does it really matter who God chose to be Jesus' mother?

I am still on the fence about this. I prefer the NASB but the NIV is widely the best selling and most used bible for Christians.

coming from msnbc it is not worth a reply

 

[Vanguard]

coming from msnbc it is not worth a reply

MSNBC is the source but the story is accurate as to what the USCCB and the CBT are doing. I am not saying I agree with what they are doing, just that it is being done.

 

[Johann!@#]

The first one is, does this mess up an age old doctrine of Christianity?
The second one is, does it really matter who God chose to be Jesus' mother?

A debate between Steve and a rabbi-

You say the Hebrew word “almah” is recognized by 99% of Biblical scholars as meaning young woman. I don’t know where you got your information, but I could list here scores of Jewish and Gentile scholars who believe the word “almah” is properly translated “virgin.”

And you can’t deny, Rabbi, that the 70 top Jewish scholars who translated the Old Testament from Hebrew to Greek all thought that “almah” means virgin, since they used the Greek word “parthenos”-virgin.

Furthermore, I find that the word “almah” is used just seven times in the Old Testament and each time it refers to what can only be a virgin. So when you say “almah” is mistranslated, you are disagreeing with traditional Jewish thought.

One more thing before leaving this area. Looking ahead to chapter 9, verse 6 of the same book, one finds a description of this special child:

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on his shoulders; and his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

A child will be born who will be called “Mighty God”? Jewish commentators did not dispute the Messianic nature of this prophecy until modern times. As proof, let me cite the paraphrase of this passage given in Targum Jonathan:

“And there was called His name from of old, Wonderful, counselor, Mighty God, He who lives for ever, the messiah in whose days peace shall increase.” (Targum of Isaiah)
For a further read-

Letters to Rabbi Cohen Concerning Messiah

The following is taken from Letters from Steve Schwartz, a Jew, to Rabbi Cohen. I post here in order to ensure that it doesn’t disappear from the web. I did not change any of the words. Lette…

answeringislamblog.wordpress.com

In Hebrew HA-Almah-Definite Article-THE VIRGIN!
J.

 

[Josef]

Hey All,
I have heard this argument before. Vanguard. Long story short, there is a curse on Jechonias (Matthew 1:11) that prohibits any son born of his lineage to ever be king. Joseph is of Jechonias' lineage. If Joseph had impregnated Mary, Jesus could not claim He was king. It is that simple. Research it for yourself.

Plus you have Mary's confused, "How can this be . . . . " question, (Luke 1:34) along with her declarative statement. "Seeing I know not a man."This goes way beyond calling herself just a young woman.

As believers we cannot compromise the virgin birth. It is a core belief for a reason. (The one I gave you earlier.) Jesus' claim to be the son of David, and rightful heir to the throne, depend on it.
Keep walking everybody. May God bless,
Taz

 

[Johann!@#]

Hey All,
I have heard this argument before. Vanguard. Long story short, there is a curse on Jechonias (Matthew 1:11) that prohibits any son born of his lineage to ever be king. Joseph is of Jechonias' lineage. If Joseph had impregnated Mary, Jesus could not claim He was king. It is that simple. Research it for yourself.

Plus you have Mary's confused, "How can this be . . . . " question, (Luke 1:34) along with her declarative statement. "Seeing I know not a man."This goes way beyond calling herself just a young woman.

As believers we cannot compromise the virgin birth. It is a core belief for a reason. (The one I gave you earlier.) Jesus' claim to be the son of David, and rightful heir to the throne, depend on it.
Keep walking everybody. May God bless,
Taz

Nobody is compromising on the virgin birth.