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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

918.0. "James 4.5" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Heat-seeking Pacifist) Sat May 14 1994 17:28

In reading James 4.5, it refers to a Scripture for which the cross-reference
is absent in my TEV (Good News Bible).  Does anyone know to what passage the
reference is pointing?

Shalom,
Richard

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918.1when scripture isn't ScriptureHURON::MYERSSat May 14 1994 17:5417
    James 4:5
    Or do you suppose that the scripture speaks without meaning when it
    says, "The spirit that he has made to dwell in us tends toward
    jealousy"?*

    *"The meaning of this saying is difficult because the author of James
    cites, probably from memory, a passage that is not in any extant
    manuscript of the Bible. Other translation of the text with a
    completely different meaning are possible: 'The Spirit that he (God)
    made to dwell in us yearns (for us) jealously,' or 'He (God) yearns
    jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us.' If this last
    translation is correct, the author perhaps had in mind an apocryphal
    religious text that echoes the idea that God is zealous for his
    creatures; cf Ex 20:5; Dt 4:24; Zec 8:2"


    Reference: The New American Bible
918.2Thanks, Eric!CSC32::J_CHRISTIEHeat-seeking PacifistSat May 14 1994 18:032
    Holy-moley!!  That was a quick response!  Thanks!
    
918.3compositeDNEAST::DALELIO_HENRTue May 17 1994 12:0712
  Or, it might be a composite of scripture that the author had in mind.
  I dont have an OT here but, :

  just before the Noahic flood...

  Genesis : They are but flesh... My Spirit will not always strive with (them).

  Leviticus : For I AM a jealous God...

  Hank

918.4CSC32::J_CHRISTIEHeat-seeking PacifistWed May 18 1994 02:4811
.3

While that seems a possibility, the author of James seems to believe
he is quoting Scripture familiar and identifiable to his readers.

Other portions of the Bible point to non-canonical texts and sayings
contemporary to the times in which they were written.  Perhaps this, too.

Shalom,
Richard

918.5not a problem (for me anyway)DNEAST::DALELIO_HENRWed May 18 1994 10:4627
  Re .4 Richard

  Hi Richard,

  There is evidence that the Hebrews quoted composite Scripture, using 
  the composites in songs, chants, hymns, or as a shorthand statement of 
  faith Re: the Messiah , the Day of the Lord, etc. The Psalms and the Prophets
  were often used in this manner.

  But, you are right in that there are verifiable quotes from non-inspired 
  OT era texts made in the NT, in addition, there are instances where the 
  Septuigint is quoted in preference to a strict and literal translation 
  from the Hebrew.

  In cases such as these my view would be  1) quotations from non-canonical 
  texts : The Holy Spirit has exalted these *individual passages* to a state
  of inspiration, however this does not necessarily imply that the non
  canonical book in its entirety is inspired.  2) Quotations from the LXX : 
  The LXX translators caught the nuance of the Hebrew (which could have been 
  in flux) or, the Greek wording was more in keeping with Hellenistic thought
  when they translated certain OT passages into Greek. The Spirit of God was 
  pleased to use these passages as is, writing through the NT writers to the
  Hellenized world.

  Hank

918.6There's the Bible and there's God's wordHURON::MYERSWed May 18 1994 13:096
    For me this points to how we compromise God's word by restricting it to
    a single volume of text "authorized" by a group of religious and
    political men long, long ago.

    Peace,
    	Eric
918.7please elaborateDNEAST::DALELIO_HENRWed May 18 1994 13:2816
  Hi Eric,

  please elaborate, do you mean there are other writings which you
  consider to be God's Word? Or are there "inspired" writings apart
  from the Bible which is uniquely "inspired" by the Holy Spirit
  or something else...

  Can you give specific examples of writings you would include as inspired.

  Do you see "inspiration" as a matter of degree?

  I am genuinely interested in your point of view.

  Hank