Christian Research Institute, Statement DJ265, “The New World Translation (transcript of a discussion between Walter Martin and Julius R. Mantey)”
“Dr. Mantey: Well, as a backdrop, I was disturbed because they had misquoted me in support of their translation. I called their attention to the fact that the whole body of the New Testament was against their view. … Dr. Martin: What was their response to what you said? Dr. Mantey: They said I could have my opinion and they would retain theirs.”
A two-page statement published by an American apologetics organisation, described at its foot as 'excerpted from the tape, “Martin and Mantey on the New World Translation” (catalogue number C-118)'. Mantey, co-author with H. E. Dana of A Manual Grammar of the Greek New Testament (1927), says his grammar was misquoted in support of the rendering 'a god' at John 1:1 and that he wrote to the Society about it. He also says 'the translation is deceptive' and that he would advise a Witness 'to get a translation other than the NWT, because ninety-nine percent of the scholars of the world who know Greek … are in disagreement with the JWs'.
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Provenance and verification note for Christian Research Institute, Statement DJ265, The New World Translation (transcript of a discussion between Walter Martin and Julius R. Mantey)
Confidence note. The PDF was downloaded from equip.org on 19 September 2026 and read in full; the quotations are transcribed from it. What is verified is what this publication says, not the accuracy of its contents. The statement carries no date, no reference to the original recording's date, and no reproduction of the letter Mantey describes. The Christian Research Institute is an apologetics organisation, not a neutral or peer-reviewed publisher. [Independent audit, 19 September 2026] Downloaded and read again; the quotation is verbatim and the context field is accurate to the document.
Notes. The '99 percent of the scholars of the world' figure is an unsupported estimate offered in conversation and should not be repeated as a finding. Mantey's letter to the Watch Tower Society, widely reproduced online and usually dated 11 July 1974, could not be traced to any archive, court record or scholarly publication in this research. [Independent audit, 19 September 2026] One correction for precision: both the '99 percent' figure and the phrase 'diabolical deceivers' ARE traceable — to this document, which has been read. Martin puts 'diabolical deceivers' to Mantey as something he has been quoted as saying, and Mantey answers 'Yes.' What is untraceable is any primary publication by Mantey containing them. Say that precisely rather than saying they have no source at all.
Accessed. 19 September 2026 · Source ID. src-nwt-mantey-cri-dj265