Ruth Magnusson Davis - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ruth Magnusson Davis

During the Reformation, William Tyndale was furiously attacked for translating the Greek word ecc... more During the Reformation, William Tyndale was furiously attacked for translating the Greek word ecclesia by ‘congregation’ rather than ‘church’ in his New Testament. He gave his reasons for this translation in his book, "An Answer to Sir Thomas More’s Dialogue." Essentially, his goals were simply to render the Greek faithfully, and also to avoid fostering misconceptions about the Church.

This paper looks at twelve notes in the Pentateuch of the 1537 Matthew which related a Bible vers... more This paper looks at twelve notes in the Pentateuch of the 1537 Matthew which related a Bible verse or prophecy to Jesus Christ. It then compares three other study Bibles: the 1599 Geneva Bible (a Puritan Bible), the 1962 Oxford Annotated Version (from Oxford academics), and the 2017 MacArthur Study Bible (of pastor John MacArthur). There are some amazing differences! Discover which Bible taught most like the Matthew Bible did. The answer may surprise you.

From Martin Luther in 1530 to the Canada Truckers’ Convoy of 2022. The duty of obedience (or diso... more From Martin Luther in 1530 to the Canada Truckers’ Convoy of 2022. The duty of obedience (or disobedience) to the civil authority as taught by Luther, William Tyndale, Thomas Cranmer -- and, yes, the truckers -- on the one hand, contrasted with the duty to resist taught by John Calvin, Theodore Beza, the Puritans, and some moderns on the other hand. Included is an analysis of Calvin’s “doctrine of the lesser magistrate,” which is rearing its head again. How should a Christian respond in the face of the rising tide of tyranny and moral insanity in the west? 18 pages plus end notes.

This is my near-to-final update of William Tyndale's translation of Genesis 1-25, taken from the ... more This is my near-to-final update of William Tyndale's translation of Genesis 1-25, taken from the 1537-1549 Matthew Bible. Included are John Rogers' incredibly helpful notes. All the momentous events are here: the creation of the world and the heavens, the creation of man, the fall of man, the flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the story of Rebecca and Isaac, which is so romantic in Tyndale's translation.

A look at William Tyndale’s translation of Romans 11:25-32 in the 1537 Matthew Bible (MB), togeth... more A look at William Tyndale’s translation of Romans 11:25-32 in the 1537 Matthew Bible (MB), together with John Rogers’ notes in the Old Testament, shows how the MB refutes dispensational doctrine. For example, notes in the MB explain how “forever” in the Hebrew, concerning the “forever” promises to the twelve tribes, may mean simply a long time without an appointed end. See also how modern Bibles changed the scriptures to support dispensationalism.

Flat-earthers say the early English Bibles taught that the earth is flat, but the phrase "flat ea... more Flat-earthers say the early English Bibles taught that the earth is flat, but the phrase "flat earth" was removed from the Bible in order to conceal the truth. However, ironically, it was actually the phrase "round world" that was removed from the Bible. Also, a teaching note in the 1537 Matthew Bible expressly refutes the flat-earth claim that the world was set on literal "pillars" in space.

A spirited look at how differently Martin Luther and John Calvin taught about ceremonies in the c... more A spirited look at how differently Martin Luther and John Calvin taught about ceremonies in the church. Through quotations from the two men, they speak for themselves. See also the notes in the Geneva Bible which, contrary to Luther, condemned ceremonies as abolished and impure. Calvin and the Puritans had very different ideas about what a reformed church service would look like than did Martin Luther and the men who agreed with him, Thomas Cranmer and William Tyndale.
Paper length: 15 pages plus end notes.

Leviticus 27:29 is a troublesome verse. In certain modern Bibles, it speaks of people who are “de... more Leviticus 27:29 is a troublesome verse. In certain modern Bibles, it speaks of people who are “devoted to destruction” and may not be redeemed, but who must be “put to death.” Some say this verse authorized human sacrifice. Some say it referred to prisoners of war who must be killed or to criminals sentenced to die. Others say it concerned people who vowed to serve God in the tabernacle, and who could not be redeemed but must die naturally in their devoted (“vowed”) condition.

Here I compare translations back to Wycliffe, consider the issues, see a little of what Martin Luther said about vows, look at how William Tyndale handled verse 29, and propose a new interpretation following Tyndale.

This paper defends Martin Luther from charges of antisemitism that have been made against him, es... more This paper defends Martin Luther from charges of antisemitism that have been made against him, especially arising from his book, "On the Jews and Their Lies." It is structured around the charges brought by Franklin Sherman in his introduction to "On the Jews," contained in volume 47 of the Concordia Publishing House series "Luther’s Works." Sherman brought accusations of superstition, hatred, and tyranny against Luther, and completely condemned his book.

Tyndale wrote, "Mark this also above all things – that Antichrist is not an outward thing, that i... more Tyndale wrote, "Mark this also above all things – that Antichrist is not an outward thing, that is to say, a man that should suddenly appear with wonders, as our fathers talked of him. No, verily; for Antichrist is a spiritual thing." Also, he wrote, "Antichrist is now."

Tyndale laboured to dispel the error that causes people to look for Antichrist in another church, as the Puritans focused on the Roman Church, or in another time, as moderns expect a future Antichrist. Antichrist is any false teacher, and he seeks a seat anywhere, anytime, all the time. However, modern Bibles translators have changed the Scriptures to support the concept of a future Antichrist.

In discussing the Advent of Christ, Calvin emphasized the term “manifest.” This led to changes in... more In discussing the Advent of Christ, Calvin emphasized the term “manifest.” This led to changes in the Scripture translation of William Tyndale, whose work was used as the base for the Geneva Bible. E.g., 1 John 3:5 was changed from “he appeared to take away our sins” to “he was made manifest, that he might take away our sins.” The new word and the passive voice were unnecessary – unless they were meant to convey new doctrine, which was in fact the case.

One of the study features of the 1537 Matthew Bible was two charts setting forth two different ca... more One of the study features of the 1537 Matthew Bible was two charts setting forth two different calculations of the age of the earth. The first contained the calculations of the Hebrews. The second was from Eusebius. They differed in their calculations by just over 1,200 years.

>Brief background of the puritan dispute with the Reformation CofE, Thomas Cranmer, and William T... more >Brief background of the puritan dispute with the Reformation CofE, Thomas Cranmer, and William Tyndale over ceremonies and song.
>Compares translations and notes from the Psalms in the1537 Matthew Bible and the Geneva Bible.
>Shows the excellent spirit of John Rogers' notes in the Matthew Bible.
>Shows the ideological motivation of the puritan Bible, and how zealously they wished to suppress ceremonies, songs, and musical instruments in the Church.

Ruth's testimony of her conversion from puritanism to Anglicanism and to worship with the Book of... more Ruth's testimony of her conversion from puritanism to Anglicanism and to worship with the Book of Common Prayer. WHEN PRINTING set (1) landscape orientation (2) flip on short edge (3) double-sided. Makes a nice one-page pamphlet. Free for use in outreach if desired.

PART 1: The hope of the faithful, and the grave from which we are dug. The traditional (patristic... more PART 1: The hope of the faithful, and the grave from which we are dug. The traditional (patristic and early Reformation) doctrine of heaven and hell.
PART 2: The “Larger Hope” and lesser grave taught in the 1894 Revised Version. The assault on the doctrine of eternal retribution and re-definition of the Hebrew 'sheol.'
PART 3: The treatment of 'sheol' in the 1537 Matthew Bible. Comparing the Geneva Bible, Revised Version, and modern Bibles. The problems with the modern translations.

Martin Luther and John Calvin contradicted each other on the fundamentals of the New Covenant. Th... more Martin Luther and John Calvin contradicted each other on the fundamentals of the New Covenant. The teaching of the 1537 Matthew Bible agreed with Luther, but the Geneva Bible followed Calvin. Quotations from the two men and the two Bibles are set out here, so readers can see the differences and judge for themselves

A comparison of English Bibles from 1537 to today, and how they chose between the Masoretic Text ... more A comparison of English Bibles from 1537 to today, and how they chose between the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint to translate key passages in the Old Testament. Also considers the Orthodox Study Bible, which is translated from the Septuagint.

1. Considers alleged deficiencies of William Tyndale and Myles Coverdale’s Scripture translations... more 1. Considers alleged deficiencies of William Tyndale and Myles Coverdale’s Scripture translations.
2. The Geneva Bible claim (in the preface) that William Tyndale neglected Hebraisms is proven false.
3. The Matthew Bible treatment of Hebraisms is compared with the 1599 Geneva Bible. Approx. 62% of the time, Geneva changed the teaching or interpretation.

Dedication to Queen Elizabeth, 1560 Geneva Bible, 2019

This is a hard-to-find document: the full dedication to Queen Elizabeth as set forth in the 1560 ... more This is a hard-to-find document: the full dedication to Queen Elizabeth as set forth in the 1560 Geneva Bible. The spelling has been modernized and there are brief commentaries by Ruth Magnusson Davis to put some of the more puzzling statements into context. The reader will realize why Queen Elizabeth and King James did not like the Geneva Bible.

Proverbs 11:23 in the Matthew Bible taught that ungodly people deliberately create disquiet and u... more Proverbs 11:23 in the Matthew Bible taught that ungodly people deliberately create disquiet and unrest (a lesson we need to hear). Other translators found a different message. See the history of the translation of this proverb.

Dedication to Queen Elizabeth, 1560 Geneva Bible, 2019

How Christian Zionism changes the New Covenant, with a focus on how Bible revisions since the 15... more How Christian Zionism changes the New Covenant, with a focus on how Bible revisions since the 1537 Matthew Bible have allowed Zionist doctrine to be read into the Scriptures, and conversely have destroyed the Scripture's ability to refute Zionism.

Looks at:
(1) How modern revisions to the New Testament about tribute payments to Rome have destroyed Jesus’ teaching that his kingdom is spiritual.
(2) How the Matthew Bible treatment of Isaiah’s prophecy of the New Covenant temple differs from John MacArthur’s Zionist treatment in his study Bible.
(3) How rebuilding the temple may bring the curse of Jericho on the builders.
(4) How Daniel 9, the prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem, has been changed to allow the idea that the city and temple might be rebuilt.
(5) How a modern revision to the book of Revelation suggests that time will continue after Jesus’ second coming, thus enabling the concept of a future millennium.