The “maps” for our journey are the resources we use in our travels. The Primary map in this journey is the Bible itself.
The Bible has many different translations. For the most part it does not matter which translation one uses. However, knowing the background of the map we use most – where it came from, who drew it, etc. - can give a little insight on how a verse or two should be read.
I have done some reading on how today’s Bible came to be and the story is a fascinating one.
I have also been made aware that there are some translations that do not stay as true to the original text as we would like. I will give you two examples.
The first is a translation that I only read about in my readings. I did not actually see it myself but apparently in this translation the word “darkness” was replaced with the word “night” because it was thought that “darkness” sounded too much like the offensive word “darkies”. This was an unfortunate decision as “night” and “darkness” have two different meanings. Let’s look at Psalm 107:14:
“He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away the chains.”
Now read,
“He brought them out of night and the deepest gloom and broke away the chains.”
The darkness in that verse has nothing to do with the night. It is the darkness of ones soul or situation. The meaning of that verse is changed when the word is changed.
The second example is when a translation is “tweaked” to fit the purposes of a particular group. The New World Translation used by the Jehovah Witnesses, who do not believe in the Trinity, has added one little word to John 1:1. See if you can spot it.
NIV translation – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
New World translation – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.”
Small word – big difference!
I have also heard of translations out there that do their best to be politically correct. Bible’s that say He/She when referring to God or man in general.
Again, never actually saw one personally but under those requirements I suppose Romans 11:32 might look like: “For God has bound all men and women over to disobedience so that he/she may have mercy on them all.
The primary “map” that I use is the New International Version (NIV) Student Bible. I have used this particular Bible for over 20 years. I am endeared to it because of the many side notes it contains giving me a glimpse into the context of the verses I am reading. Knowing the context of scripture; the who, what, when, where and especially the why has made a large impact on how they speak to me. Not only am I reading God’s own words but I am struggling to understand them with the likes of Moses, Joshua, Elisha, Peter and Paul. They all become more than just characters in a story. They become very much like me with fears, failures and doubts. Also, the times in which they lived were so unlike ours. The more I understand those times the easier it is to step outside of my 21st century thinking long enough to see the world as they did. When I do this, the lessons that they teach become clearer.
It is always good to have two or three different translations to read and compare during Bible study. Many times that can give us a better insight as to what is meant in the text. I plan to use a variety of translations on this journey as well as other books and resources. But my primary map will be my NIV. That is the translation I will quote unless otherwise noted.
So grab your map and let’s take our first steps….
Regarding Jehovah's Witnesses' "New World Translation" Bible and its rendering of John 1:1, it may interest you to know that there is soon to be published a 19+ year study (as of 11/2010), a thoroughly researched reference work in support and explanation of their wording of this verse (especially within the third clause with "a god"), as it will be entitled, "What About John 1:1?"
ReplyDeleteTo learn more of its design and expected release date, we invite you to visit:
http://www.goodcompanionbooks.com
When finally published, apart from discussing many other topics and scriptures related to the Trinity, you will discover that there are some 400+ scholarly reference works (including those by Trinitarians) which have opted to say something other than, "and the Word was God," and that, among these are included over 100 which had chosen to use "a god" (as by a number Trinitarians as well) within the third clause of their renderings.
As you might expect, we are very excited at the opportunity to share our findings with others.
Agape, JohnOneOne.
~~~~~~~~~~
Thank for sharing. Yes that is very interesting as it is a subject I have studied myself for some time.
ReplyDeleteWhen I brought John 1:1 up with my Jehovah Witness friends they told me that "Every translation is different." I wholeheartly agreed. It was because of that conversation that I began studying the origins of the Bible and the path it took to get to what we have today. (as I said prior, a very interesting journey one that I am still traveling).
It had been brought to my intention that "If it's not Greek, it's a translation".... and so my study of ancient Greek began! I am still a novice but from what I see in my limited understanding is that the original greek's meaning is "God" with a capital "G".
Of course, because my understanding of ancient greek is still in it's development, I am also leaning heavely on the 126 years that our early Christian forfathers debated over this exact topic (in fact John 1:1 was at the center of it all) and the 1,700+ years of acceptance since. However, from the Nicaea Council in 325 to the Council of Chalcedon in 451 the debate wasn't so much if Jesus was A god as it was how much of God was He? The conclusion being that Jesus was 100% man and 100% God.
Obviously this continues to be debated, even as there were several who left those counsils unconvinced.
You're now studying Greek? You are thorough. I haven't gotten that ambitious yet, but I agree that it is the only way to read scripture as close to the original manuscripts as possible.
ReplyDeleteI took a bible study class a year ago and they stressed the importance of understanding the who, what, when, where, why as much as you can. We spent a lot of time on this before even starting to read bible verses. It really makes a difference in understanding what you read.
Interestingly, I found that when you spend time considering the world and it's people at the time the scripture was recorded, it actually helps you better apply the verses to our living today.
Very much so Randy! And perhaps even more importantly, we don't take our 21st century thinking into a world where it doesn't fit. One (small) example... the early church would be SHOCKED to see so may different "churches". They would not even comprehend such a thing. There was only one Church... the body of Christ!
ReplyDelete