Bridge of Reason

  A couple of weeks ago, in our Watch Tower Wednesday, I drew people’s attention to a particularly egregious mishandling of the Scripture. Ephesians 4 is very familiar to this former Mormon, being a foundational text for all restorationist groups; apostles, prophets, etc. It contains a favourite passage among the cults, one that speaks of 'one, Lord, one faith, one baptism,' (v.5) and you know the argument about hopelessly divided 'Christendom' I am sure. In skimming through the New World Translation I happened on the Watch Tower 'translation' of this text, particularly thinking of vv 7-12. Comparing it with the ESV and other translations I am struck by the complete mutilation of this passage in the online NWT study edition . Here is awkward wording, serious misinterpretations, and the surely inadvertent association of Jesus with Jehovah with regard to Ephesian 4: 8 and Psalm 68: 18 . And what about the idea Jesus brought gifts ‘ in strong men’ from among...