First of all, please learn how to use the quote feature.
On to your post. You said:
"It matters what the Bible has to say about Jesus' only if it is interpreted correctly and that takes an understanding of words. What does it have to do with, "What the Bible says about Jesus' divinity"? Everything. If we cannot speak in Christian symbols with an agreement as to what they mean, the discussion becomes pointless. At the very least parties to a discussion must understand what the other's define and how they define. Words or phrases explained in Jewish vernacular supersede any Christian designation of Christian symbolism. Christianity has created their own language and that is where biblical scholarship must question interpretations, such as, Jesus' divinity."
First, anything we have written of Jesus is in Greek, so when we're dealing with the words that are in the bible, we're dealing with Greek terms, not Hebrew terms. That's the first understanding of words we have to deal with. The second understanding we have to come to is that it's not just words, but concepts, because one can't just stop at a transliteration of terms. Often, there are not equivalents and so the translational and interpretational process must continue beyond "understanding words."
Second, I don't know why Jewish vernacular "supersedes Christian designation." The texts are in Greek, and do not represent a clearly Jewish POV. You need to remember that we're not talking about "what early xtians thought." We're talking about "what's in the bible." And "what's in the bible" was finally written at least 15 years following Jesus' death, to largely Gentile audiences -- or, in the case of the gospels, to displaced and hellenized Judaic groups living in Gentile territories. Therefore, the writings, themselves, are infused in more than just "Jewish thought."
You said:
"You can say that the phrase, "Son of God" refers to Jesus' divinity only if in the vernacular that is what was meant."
First, I didn't point to that phrase in stating my position. Second, you have to realize that, while "son of God" had a particular, vernacular meaning in Judaism, it also had a unique meaning in Greek, and which is given precedence depends on which text the phrase is found.
You said:
"I contend that there is no biblical, OT or NT passage that declares Jesus' divinity."
John 1 disagrees with you.
You said:
"Divinity, calling Jesus the Christ, steps away from the vernacular. Jesus Christ is a Christian designation, symbol."
It's also a Hebraic designation. It's where we get the term "messiah." They both mean "anointed."
You've got a whole lotta smoke and mirrors gong on here, thinly disguised as intellectia.
So far you've presented a lot of smoke. I'm not trying to be difficult about this conversation. Honestly, do you dance around these issues to avoid discussion that may challenge your belief system? I've not studied the Bible, theology and the history of Christianity to not know what you've said above about understanding words is anything less than your response. I suspect that you need to take your studies a step farther.
Ex.; John 1; In the beginning was the Word; the Word was in God's presence, and the Word was God. NAB1970.
ff: "1, 1-18: . . . Commentators are divided on whether the inititial reference to the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ is in 1,9 or 1,14." Ibid.
ff: "1, 9: The earlier versions make
every man (instead of the
light) the subject of
coming into the world." Ibid.
ff: "1, 14:
Made his dwelling: literally, "set up his tent, or tabernacle." In the Exodus the tabernacle or tent of meeting was the site of God's dwelling among men (Ex 25, 8f); now that site is the Word-made-flesh.
Glory: the glory of God (the visible manifestation of his majesty in power), which once filled the tabernacle (Ex 40, 34) and the temple (1 Kgs 8, 10f.27), is now centered in Jesus.
Filled with enduring love: It is not clear whether
filled modifies
glory or
Word or only
Son. The two words
love and
enduring (often translated "grace and truth") represent two Old Testament terms used to describe the dealings of the God of the covenant with Israel (Ex 34, 6);
love signifying God's love in choosing Israel and his steadfast expression of that love in the covenant;
enduring signifying his faithfulness to his covenant promises. Jesus is a new manifestation of God's covenant,
enduring love, replacing the Old; cf v 16."
This ex., words are important and for all the reasons you stated above. When I say that you need to pay close attention to the words in a passage I mean for you to use every hermeneutic tool at your disposal. I apologize, it is not that you don't use all the hermeneutic tools but that you don't apply what hermeneutics shows you. The above example is a great choice on your part but it does not indicate Jesus' divinity.
I can accept that your belief is different than mine but then you must also understand that Christianity is therefore without communion.
Now, the above quotes are from the era of Vatican II and to this day I consider both the Jerome Biblical Commentary, ed., 1968 and, the NAB ed., 1970 the best commentary and translation, respectively, that the Church has ever put into print. No other commentary even comes close to what the JBC1968 presents, although this edition has been removed from publication as has the 1970 edition of the NAB. There is doctrine in this edition of the JBC but at least it has true biblical scholarship. The commentary made me question Catholic Doctrine even more.
I happened to begin reading the Bible with John 1 and how I read it was to utilize the OT references listed in the NAB1970. The OT became my dictionary for terms I did not fully understand in the context of the passages I read. I soon developed my own understanding and wondered if my studies were true to what Christians interpreted. I soon found biblical scholars and theologians that were saying the same thing.
Further, I was taught to read from the early theologians and learn how Christianity has progressed. Yes, I do all that you mentioned above and maybe even more. I struggle with ancient languages and finding meaning in the culture that writings were written but I get there with more research.
