Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 9
David describes Justin accusing Jewish leaders of changing Scripture, arguing the Septuagint preserves Messianic prophecies missing from the Masoretic text, and he calls modern Bible practice “dishonest” when translators mix readings—how should Christians pursue truth and integrity when textual history is messy, and what would a humble (not reactionary) approach look like in your own Bible confidence?
Another way to ask: Justin claimed some Jewish leaders changed Scripture, and he argued the Septuagint kept prophecies that the Masoretic text doesn’t have. When Bible texts and translations are complicated, how can Christians stay honest and humble while still having confidence in the Bible?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker, integrity means being honest about textual differences (Septuagint vs. Masoretic), not hiding the complexity, and resisting selective translation practices; a humble approach would keep confidence in Scripture while acknowledging the history is “really fascinating” and sometimes disputed.
- The speaker says Justin made him aware the Septuagint comes “from a different Hebrew text than the Masoretic text that our Bibles are from.”
- He reports Justin’s accusation to Jews: “You all changed the Bible… your leaders… changed the scriptures because of these prophecies about Jesus.”
- He notes the practical dispute: the Jews tell Justin, “It doesn’t say that.”
- He claims there are “a number of Messianic prophecies in the Septuagint that are not in the Masoretic text… not in our Bibles.”
- He calls a translation habit “dishonest” when translators “go to the Septuagint and then… back to the Masoretic text.”
- He models inquiry rather than panic: he “ordered a Septuagint… got to start reading this myself.”