See http://tertullian.org/articles/davies_tert_pliny.htm
One quote from this link says: "The first of these 'errors' [in Tertullian's Apology] is the reading Christo et Deo, given by most of the MSS of the Apology, while Pliny (see above) writes Christo quasi Deo.
Prof. Merrill does well to place little weight on this discrepancy, for, as Lightfoot observes (op. cit. i 57, note), there can be no question that the correct reading is ut. Oehler indeed accepted et, and protested against Scaliger's emendation (followed by Havercamp) as 'contra librorum optimorum et paene omnium fidem.' But the only passage which he adduces in support of the reading which he retains is De Spectac. 25 ἐἰς αἰῶνας ἀπ' αἰῶνος alii omnino dicere nisi Deo et Christo', and here the reversed order is surely decisive against a parallelism."
Pliny the Younger, Letters 10.96-97: "...chant verses antiphonally amongst themselves in honor of Christ as if to a god..." - Translation by K. C. Hanson
ReplyDeleteThe critical phrase here is Latin: "carmenque Christo quasi deo".
Now what exactly does quasi mean in Latin?
CASSELL'S LATIN DICTIONARY: quasi = adv. as if. I. Of comparison of whole sentences ; 1, in hypothetical comparisons, as if ; a, corresponding to... b, ... often ironical, as if, just as if, ... 2, in pure comparison, as, like as, II. To compare clauses of words ; 1, to soften an unusual expression, as it were, a sort of ; ... 2, transf., as it were, almost, all but, ..."
It means "as (if)". Cassel states "often ironical" to boot.
(QUASI) "Latin, Almost as it were; as if; analogous to." ..."In the legal sense, the term denotes that one subject has certain characteristics in common with another subject but that intrinsic and material differences exist between them." [Source legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com]
Now the facts are that no manuscripts of Pliny's actual letter has survived to our day! All texts are based on a HEAVILY EDITED 15th Century printed texts by Avantius & Aldus made from a copy of a MSS that has since perished.
ReplyDeleteTERTULLIAN (145 to 225.C.E.): "...singing hymns to Christ and God..." - 1st Apology Book 1; Chap 2;(ANF) Roberts & Donaldson; Trnaslated by Cleveland Coxe
TERTULLIAN (145 to 225.C.E.): "...sing hymns to God and Christ..." - 1st Apology Book 1; Chap 2; - THE APOLOGY OF TERTULLIAN Translated and Annotated by WM. REEVE, A.M. London 1709. 2 vols. ; 8o. Reprinted in a second edition 1716/1717.
Latin text in Tertullians 1st Apology Book 1; Chap 2:
Tertulliani Liber Apologeticus [II. 6]: "... canendum Christo ET deo..." - Text edited by F. Oehler, as revised by T. R. Glover. Scanned by Sally Winchester. Compared by Roger Pearse with the CETEDOC text 24/3/6. [Source: the Tertullian Project ]
Critical point: "Christo ET deo" English: "(to) Christ AND God" = Two seperate entities.
Bishop J.B.Lightfoot, a Patristics Scholar who basically was the man responsible for the modern critical texts of the Apostolic Fathers, because Tertullians version conflicted with his preconceived ideas and TRINITARIAN beliefs he actually took the liberty of changing the modern critical text!
ReplyDeleteFrom: "Christo (ET) deo"
To: "Chisto (UT) deo"
From Latin "et" = "and"
To Latin "ut" = "as"
ORIGINAL TEXT TERTULLIAN: "...canendum Christo (et) deo..."
MODERN EMENDED TEXT: "...canendum Christo (ut) deo..."
MODERN TEXT (PLINY): "...carmenque Christo (quasi) deo..."
TERTULLIAN: "to Christ (AND) God"
LIGHTFOOT: "to Christ (AS) God"
PLINY: "to Christ (as-if) a god"
So once again trinitarians have been caught red handed forging and re-doctoring critical master texts to support MODERN TRINITARIAN BELIEFS!
Eusebius did quote this passage, but, my main computer is down at the moment and his translation and original Greek text is not available - at this time. Going by memory, the English translations said: "...singing to Christ as God" but I'm pretty sure the Greek text could be read as "as (of) a god" (theos) was in the genitive case without the article.
Lightfoot was upset with this reading as well!