Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 06:1 (Sep 2008)
Article: An Examination of the Consistency of the "New World Translation" with the Stated Philosophy of the Translators
Author: Kenneth J. Baumgarten

---

Conspectus 6:1 (September 2008) p. 25

An Examination of the Consistency of the New World Translation with the Stated Philosophy of the Translators1

Kenneth J. Baumgarten2

Kevin Gary Smith3

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the extent to which the The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures’ (NWT) rendering of selected Christologically significant texts is consistent with its own philosophy of translation. To test the NWT’s consistency with its own philosophy of translation, the authors selected nine Christologically significant texts, namely, John 1:1, 1:18, 20:28, Acts 20:28, Romans 9:5, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:8-9, 2 Peter 1:1 and 1 John 5:20. Each of these nine texts arguably uses the Greek term θεός in reference to Jesus Christ. The authors conclude that in seven of the nine sample texts, the NWT violates one or more of its stated translation values and principles. The most common violation is its pervasive tendency to subvert the most natural understanding of the Greek text in favour of a ‘preferred religious view’.

Conspectus 6:1 (September 2008) p. 26

1. Introduction

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the extent to which the The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures’ (NWT) rendering of selected Christologically significant texts is consistent with its own philosophy of translation. To test the NWT’s consistency with its own philosophy of translation, we have selected nine Christologically significant texts, namely, John 1:1, 1:18, 20:28, Acts 20:28, Romans 9:5, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:8-9, 2 Peter 1:1 and 1 John 5:20.

In selecting a set of texts for consideration, the issues of manageability of the sample size and si...

visitor : : uid: ()