Joseph J. Graber video: The Amish and The Reformation

[ohio jones]

In the book of The Acts, when Peter was called to Cornelius' house, Luke reports that Peter mentions some men came to call on him at the gate of Simon the Tanner's house, where he was staying. The oldest texts say it was two men. But our translations "regularize" the reading to match the fact that Cornelius sent three men. (Some old texts also omit the number entirely. The Textus Receptus has 'three'.) But Cornelius sent two servants, AND one soldier. I do believe that the true reading of the original is 'two', referring to the two servants, who, because of the way they describe their master to Peter, I personally believe to have been Jews, and that it was only these two men who Peter invited into the house. By the time they all arrived at Cornelius' house, he had thought through the meaning of the vision he had had just prior to the calling out at the gate enough that he tells Cornelius, "You know that as a Jew, I'm not supposed to come into your house. But I know now that God is no respecter of persons.”

I regularized this to correspond to the Majority Text.

[Neto]

In the book of The Acts, when Peter was called to Cornelius' house, Luke reports that Peter mentions some men came to call on him at the gate of Simon the Tanner's house, where he was staying. The oldest texts say it was two men. But our translations "regularize" the reading to match the fact that Cornelius sent three men. (Some old texts also omit the number entirely. The Textus Receptus has 'three'.) But Cornelius sent two servants, AND one soldier. I do believe that the true reading of the original is 'two', referring to the two servants, who, because of the way they describe their master to Peter, I personally believe to have been Jews, and that it was only these two men who Peter invited into the house. By the time they all arrived at Cornelius' house, he had thought through the meaning of the vision he had had just prior to the calling out at the gate enough that he tells Cornelius, "You know that as a Jew, I'm not supposed to come into your house. But I know now that God is no respecter of persons.”

I regularized this to correspond to the Majority Text.

Wow, Did I ever goof that up BAD!

[ohio jones]

Does anyone know Joseph J. Graber?

Lots of people do, but probably not any of us, since he's the pastor of an independent church in Denver.

Is the video content accurate?

Historically, pretty much. I found the post/anti-Amish bias a bit distracting though.

Lastly, in fairness to many of the Old Older ministers I know personally, they DO study from the English Bible, and I also know for a fact that many have a number of commentaries written by Evangelicals. (I have been in several of these men’s studies, and have seen the books in their library.) (The film was dated 2017, so either Holmes County is really different than other areas such as in PA, for instance, or there is this slight misrepresentation.)

There does seem to be a difference from one community to another on the amount of Bible study that's permitted or encouraged. The presentation is probably representative of the filmmaker's father's personal experience, but is not universal.

[temporal1]

Does anyone know Joseph J. Graber?

1. Lots of people do, but probably not any of us, since he's the pastor of an independent church in Denver.

Is the video content accurate?

2. Historically, pretty much. I found the post/anti-Amish bias a bit distracting though.

Lastly, in fairness to many of the Old Older ministers I know personally, they DO study from the English Bible, and I also know for a fact that many have a number of commentaries written by Evangelicals. (I have been in several of these men’s studies, and have seen the books in their library.) (The film was dated 2017, so either Holmes County is really different than other areas such as in PA, for instance, or there is this slight misrepresentation.)

3. There does seem to be a difference from one community to another on the amount of Bible study that's permitted or encouraged. The presentation is probably representative of the filmmaker's father's personal experience, but is not universal.

1. ok. the video did not identify him as a pastor located anywhere. i’ve read more now.
2. there was so much going on, esp that wasn’t particularly about the Amish (general background about The Reformation) i didn’t catch an anti-Amish bias. i viewed again, and realized what you were saying. i’ve learned not to be surprised at grumblings .. and, i’m cautious about videos or other reports/sources/“experts” that wouldn’t be done by the folks, themselves. “A Lamp in the Dark” was more comprehensive about overall history of Bible translations, but less so about Anabaptists. i have not finished “Tares Among the Wheat.”
3. ok. i imagine this is correct. his presentation is essentially a personal account.

i enjoy videos, but prefer text/transcripts. or both.
i appreciate your time/insights.