The Catechism of St. Philaret of Moscow/Septuagint

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Maria
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Re: Orthodox Catechism of St. Philaret of Moscow

Post by Maria »

Here is an excellent article written by Father Steven Allen on the Septuagint and why it is the Old Testament used by Christ.

Note: this is only an excerpt, being only the first four paragraphs.

A few more thoughts on why it is important to read the Orthodox Old Testament, as we enter Great Lent and immerse ourselves in the Old Testament readings of the daily services:

This question, “Which is the real Old Testament?” is central to the understanding and defense of the Faith, because only the Septuagint contains the fullness of the prophetic witness to Jesus Christ. Look at the table in this article by Fr. Joseph Gleason which lays out key passages in the OT that refer to central Christian doctrines, their fulfillment in the NT, and their complete absence or disfigurement by the Masoretic text compiled by anti-Christian rabbinical scholars long after the time of Christ: ...
Yet it is this Masoretic text that was embraced by the Protestant Reformation and forms the basis of almost all modern translations! Is it little wonder that so many Protestant sects have Judaizing tendencies, or that modern scholarship denies the Incarnation and saving Passion of the Lord?

We should keep several things in mind:

When the Lord Himself or the Holy Apostles quote the OT, they are quoting the Septuagint almost every time. The Septuagint is the Old Testament witnessed to by Jesus Christ Himself. Since the Septuagint is therefore divinely attested, is it surprising that the Orthodox Church considers it to be divinely inspired?

Father Steven Allen provides this link for more information: https://theorthodoxlife.wordpress.com/2 ... al-hebrew/

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

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Re: The Catechism of St. Philaret of Moscow/Septuagint

Post by Cyprian »

While the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament indeed is held in high esteem in the Orthodox Church, and is a venerable and worthy translation, there never has been any official version of the Old Testament used by the Orthodox Church. The Church has made use of a plethora of translations. If the Septuagint holds some sort of official sanction, this begs the question: which one? There is no perfect Septuagint translation in existence, and no Ecumenical Council has sanctioned any one translation over another.

Many saints made use of Old Testament scriptures other than the Septuagint. One is entitled to their preferences, but It is best to exercise moderation and not hold to an extreme or unbalanced view, and become Septuagint only fanatics, like we see with King James only fanaticism.

The King James version of the Old Testament is acceptable and suitable for those who read the Scriptures in English.

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