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>> “...born “anothen” (which can mean “again”, or “from above”)—Jesus obviously meant the latter, since He chides Nicodemus for assuming that it meant the former” <<
NEGATORY!
One must take meaning from context, and in this case context demolishes your deception: Nicodemus’ question whether he had to return to his mother’s womb strongly demonstrated that it was “Again,” not from above.
NEGATORY! One must take meaning from context, and in this case context demolishes your deception: Nicodemus question whether he had to return to his mothers womb strongly demonstrated that it was Again, not from above.
Good grief, man: take a breath, and dial down the rhetoric! There's no need to bring in the sneering, vitriolic language such as when you say "your deception" [cue dramatic, sinister music, here]. If you disagree with a post of mine, fine: say so; there's no need for anyone to foam at the mouth and howl their indignation.
Re: your point that the Greek word "anothen" means "again", and "NOT from above" (there's that Protestant "either/or, and not both" mentality, again), don't take my word for it: read, and learn...
Dictionary reference #1 for "anothen":
Dictionary reference #2 for "anothen":
Dictionary reference #3 for "anothen":
Dictionary reference #4 for "anothen":
Convinced, yet? BOTH MEANINGS are appropriate translations of the word... though "from above" is a bit more common, in Scripture (and is usually listed as the first definition--one usually has to go down to the second or third definition to find "again").