Sacred Texts How do we get them?

Sacred Text do not come from nowhere. They are shaped by many factors.  Who wrote the words?  Why the words were written?  When was the text written?  How was it transmitted?  Under what conditions?

Methods of Adoption Textual Criticism Source Criticism Form Criticism Redaction Criticism Literary Criticism

Textual Criticism  Answers questions like: Where did this text come from? Why is this manuscript different from other manuscripts or copies?

Source Criticism  Answers questions like: Who wrote this first? Who drew the material from whom? Where is the material from? It is concerned with the “source” of the material in question.

Form Criticism  Answers questions like: How did we get the material? In what form was this material originally received? From what language was the material? It is concerned with the pre- literary aspect of the material.

Redaction Criticism  Answers questions like: What was the purpose of the person writing the material? What was his or her background? What agenda did he or she have? Who are the writers or editors?

Literary Criticism  Answers questions like: What can we learn from the text itself, standing alone and apart from other material? Internal evidence.

Translation Is it a science or an art?

Ideal Translation “The Ideal Translation  By definition, translation is the accurate rendering of a document into another language so that it is suitable for its intended purpose. Consequently, to be effective a translation must not only be complete and accurate, but must also reflect the correct use of grammar, appropriate writing style, and terminology consistent with the subject matter. In other words, the ideal translation should be: accurate - reproducing as exactly as possible the meaning of the source text natural - using natural forms of the target language in a way that is appropriate to the kind of text being translated communicative - expressing all aspects of the meaning in a way that is readily understandable to the intended audience”  From

Types of Translations Word-for-Word or Literal Translation Paraphrase or Idiomatic or Sense for Sense Dynamic Equivalent

Word-for-Word or Literal John 6:27 King James Version  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. New American Standard  "Do not (A)work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.“ Young’s Literal Translation  work not for the food that is perishing, but for the food that is remaining to life age- during, which the Son of Man will give to you, for him did the Father seal -- [even] God.'

Paraphrase John 6:27 New Living Translation  “But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man[a] can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” The Message  "Don't waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last.“ The New Century Version  “Don't work for the food that spoils. Work for the food that stays good always and gives eternal life. The Son of Man will give you this food, because on him God the Father has put his power."

Dynamic Equivalent John 6:27 New International Version  Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.“ Holman Christian Standard Bible  Don't work for the food that perishes but for the food that lasts for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father (D) has set His seal of approval on Him."

Their own special cases Amplified  “Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes [in the using], but strive and work and produce rather for the [lasting] food which endures [continually] unto life eternal; the Son of Man will give (furnish) you that, for God the Father has authorized and certified Him and put His seal of endorsement upon Him.” Dr. Lyons’ (I am not always sure what I am doing version)  Work not for food that perishes but for the food that lasts into eternal life which the son of man will give to you, him (has) God the Father sealed.