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Clement, whom was traditionally held to have been ordained by Peter, gives us the first sign of the primacy of the Bishop of Rome. The entire epistle is one long charitable diatribe against a few people at the Church in Corinth who were causing division by disobediance to the church leaders. At the very end saying, "...should ay disobey what has been said by Him through us, let them understand that they will entangle themselves...in no small danger."
St. Ignatius, on the other hand, is even more explicit about adherence to Church leadership. To Ignatius, as continues to be so in the Catholic Church, the Bishops held the keys what the apostles had given to them, and to the Church, which Christ promised would not be defeated by the gates of Hell.
Also interesting is the fact that Ignatius gives testimony that the early Church held the Eucharist to be the body and blood of Christ. Lastly he alludes to Marriage as a sacrament, instructing that it must be "sanctified by the bishop" so that both sexes do not "fall into lust".
I challenge Catholics to read these letters--they essential to the faith. I also challenge other Christians to truly recognize what the early Church was like, and to end that which divided us 500 years ago.
This book presents a history of the revisions of the English translations of the Bible, Old and New Testaments. The book has, however, another central theme: the dilemma that Protestants face when they proclaim, "Sola Scriptura", or "scripture alone", while denying the necessity of a church body to pass on the acceptability of each revision. As a papist, I rely on the Pope to say that one version or another can be printed: "imprimatur". "In Discordance with the Scriptures", points out that Protestants have no such authority. This book records the arguments of Protestants in the United States over the authority that would accept (or reject) each new English translation. The old King James Version, "...deeply internalized by many Americans, and tacitly assumed to be the very Word of God, began to lose its unchallenged cultural hegemony". Page 42. It has always been a wonder to me that Protestants, who effectively demand the separation of church and state, tolerate a Bible with a King's name on it: a bible authorized by an alien king (James was a Scot, you know).
The author, Dr. Peter J. Thuesen, spends a good portion of the first two chapters on the influence that the Tyndale Bible had on the foundation of the translations of the Hebrew and Greek versions into English. Tyndale's work predates the King James Version (as does the Catholic English Bible, the Douay-Rheims version). Dr. Thuesen is ecumenical enough to mention the encyclical of Pope Pius XII, "Divino Afflante Spiritu" (Page 80), which encouraged Catholic scholarship in biblical matters in the late 1950s.
The book records the difficulties that different Protestant sects or denominations had with the translations that affected theological matters. For example, Isaiah 7:14, was given as child born to at "virgin" as a child born to a "young woman". Dr. Thuesen reaches to John Calvin and into the New Testament accounts of the Virgin Birth (Matthew 1:23) to defend the propriety of the literally correct translation of Isaiah as "young woman". The author further records that it is lamentable that in today's age a "young woman" is not synonymous with a "virgin".
Interestingly enough, throughout the book, the author considers the King James Version to be somewhat lacking in accuracy, and that the new revisions, such as the Revised Standard Version, (RSV), are better translations, clarifying some poorer renditions. He does not cover, however, the Christmas story from Luke, which I remember, as a young boy, noting that that Catholic version was "Peace on earth to men of good will", while the English King James version stated, "Peace on earth, good will to men". Big difference! Today, we have, "..Peace on earth to those on whom His favor rests". This brings up style. I wish that Dr. Thuesen had addressed style variations more completely. For example, again using Luke's account of Christmas, "A decree went forth from Caesar Augustus that the whole world was to be censored." is probably not acceptable in this politically correct, democratic world where emperors and dictators have been replaced by the democracy of the people. I would have like to see what Dr. Thuesen could have done with the changes in bible translations as the political scene in the world has changed.
As a practicing Christian (Roman Catholic, but still a Christian), I wanted the book to cover more on the ecumenically acceptable translations of the Bible. The book's last chapter, "Epilogue" ended too soon for me, and I would recommend that future editions expand to consider Protestant/Catholic efforts on translations. Further, there is a need for a history or consideration of translations into other common languages. For example, a Seventh Day Adventist, who knocked on my door, became angry when I showed him that Luther's translation called "Exodus", "The First Book of Moses". In all, this book, by Peter J. Thuesen, is well written by a literate man, who attempts to present all sides fairly.
It is a large score (9 3/8 x 12 1/4 inches)and the is very durable. The pages are thick and the binding allows for the score to lie flat for easy use.
It goes on to give a glimpse at some texts in languages which had not yet been fully figured as of the date of its writing, including languages for which much progress has been made, like Carian, and languages that still baffle readers, like the Rongo-Rongo script of Easter Island.
The information here is dated, but its chief value is to whet one's interest in the intriguing world of archaeological decipherments. It's no wonder it went through many reprints and is relatively easy to find.
i strongly recommend this book to anybody even vaguely interested in the philosophically gripping theories of gregory of nyssa and it is a definite must for any young theologian on his or her way up.
The book is broken down into sections that (to anyone who's had art training) seem simple enough: chiaroscuro, form, color, rhythm, etc. but Itten teaches not so much the technical aspect of art as a new way of seeing the world, a way of creating from the whole body and mind, not just with a paintbrush (or computer graphics program).
The sections are all punctuated with many examples of student work that relate to the topic covered. Often, it is these examples that really drive his points home.
Just as Itten believed that everyone was capable of being creative and thought the basic course was valuable to all levels of art students and even teachers, this book is applicable for both those who are looking for an introduction into creating, and those who consider themselves expert artists already. I guarantee there will be at least one idea in the book to make you stop and ponder and suddenly challenge your way of thinking on the matter.
Don't be put off by 'Catholic' reviewers, who have in fact ignored that the Orthodox Church is descendant from these thinkers as well (hence it also is 'Catholic' - which just means universal). Thus when Clement urgres obey bishops he means ALL the bishops of the Christian community, not just the Bishop of Rome!