 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
|
|
What about Bible Translations?
The Spirit of YHWH is sovereign over even the worst translations. Even in extremely bias or one-sided translations, all the major doctrines are present. His Spirit can use these translations to lead the sincere person to who alone is Almighty, YHWH.
Some translations may make wonderful devotional Bibles or comparative translations, but they are not generally good for serious study. A wide range of pre-suppositions and pre-understandings will affect most if not all translations.
So, there is no single answer. Each translation has something to convey and bring to the table. The truly serious scripture student would go to the Hebrew Text and the Greek Text themselves. With so many sources available nowadays to help us with the Hebrew and Greek texts, is not as hard as it may seem. On the contrary, you will be able to see the biases, omissions and additions of translations, and come out with a clearer understanding.
Another type of manuscripts are soon to take importance among translators. These are the Semitic or Syriac (a language related to Aramaic) manuscripts, known as the "Peshitta". Those who support these manuscripts claim that the New Testament was written in Hebrew or possibly Aramaic and that the Greek New Testament is a mere translation of Hebrew or Aramaic originals.
What is interesting is that with the Hebrew manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible or "Old Testament", there are no such as big issues about their origin as with the Christian New Testament, but only how they are translated.
If you choose not to use or study the Hebrew, Greek or Syrian texts, you will have to totally depend on translations. Many Christians do not know that there exist two radically different Greek texts (Textus Receptus or the Westcott-Hort (Alexandrian) New Testament Greek Text) based on different families of manuscripts and displaying over 6,000 variations, many of these in verses containing doctrine. On top of this fact, the claim from the supporters of the Hebrew or Aramaic New Testament only complicates matters.
At least the student should have one of a formal equivalence translation and one of a dynamic equivalence. Two dynamic equivalence translations would be even better. Read all of them for better understanding of the Scripture passages intent. It will not be the same as studying the Hebrew and Greek texts but it would be better if different translations are used. Pray for the illumination of the Spirit of YHWH upon the passage.
Remember, it will always be better the original language like Hebrew and with the right reference tools is not impossible to understand. There are many good books that describe the history of how Bible translations came into being and how, where and by who was the Bible, as we have it today, canonized. As far as translations, here is a brief comparison of some of them.
King James (KJV) formal equivalence, but the original has undergone three major revisions incorporating more than 100,000 changes. By the count of some there are over 300 words in the KJV which no longer mean what they meant in 1611.
New King James (NKJV) formal equivalence, prepared from the same manuscripts as the King James but with helpful marginal references about variant readings and/or omissions on others manuscripts.
New International Version (NIV) dynamic translation, based upon a new translation of the manuscripts, not a revision (as is the NKJV, the RSV, NASB). It was prepared by an international committee of more than one hundred scholars whose stated goal was to produce a translation midway between the literalness of a word-for-word and the looseness of a paraphrase. Most consider it the best phrase-for-phrase translation available today. The major flaw is that its language may be too simplistic. It is prepared from several different manuscripts rather than a single type of manuscript.
New American Standard (NASB) formal equivalence, probably the best word-for-word available today. In places it becomes stiff and wooden in its language. It uses the Textus Receptus (like the KJV) manuscripts as its basis.
American Standard Version (ASV) a formal equivalence, word-for-word translation, originally published by Goodspeed for the New Testament, with a small group of scholars publishing the Old Testament companion. When the New Testament portion was first published around 1923, it was highly criticized.
Revised Standard Version (RSV) formal equivalence, completed in 1952 and designed to be a revision of the KJV. It used the ancient manuscripts.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) follows the same principle but is "gender-inclusive" (politically correct) in its approach. It is to be noted that the English Standard Version was the forerunner of the American Standard Version. The Revised Standard was the initial revision of the English Standard Version. The NASB is the revision of the ASV and the NRSV is the further revision of the RSV. All, in the minds of the translating committees, were designed to be replacements for, and revisions of, the King James.
Note: The NASB exhibits three major differences from the RSV (and NRSV). First, its wording is less archaic. Second, its translators are more conservative theologically. Third, as mentioned, its language is wooden in places in an effort to adhere as closely to the wording of the original as possible.
New English Bible (NEB) completed in 1971 (the same general time frame as the NASB and slightly ahead of the NIV), this is a dynamic equivalence translation, but the biases of the translators (a joint committee, lead by the Church of Scotland) show in the text.
Revised English Bible (REB) follows the same pattern as the NEB. Only revised.
The Living Bible (TLB) and The New Living Translation (NLT) although the latter (NLT) is describe as a "translation" and was completed by a committee, The Living Bible (TLB) is a paraphrase, not a translation. It represents the views of one person as to the meaning of the American Standard Version. It is, in essence, the work of one man paraphrasing the work of another sole translator edition (at least as to the NT). The Living Bible is easy to read and is a wonderful tool for first learning the Bible. It is not a study Bible. The New Living Translation (NLT) is much more of a translation, the translators referring to the original language manuscripts during its preparation. The translation basis of the New Living Translation is dynamic equivalence.
Good News Bible: Today's English Version (TEV) a dynamic equivalence translation, published by the American Bible Society in 1966. It attempts to present the Scriptures in idiomatic, modern, simple language.
The Jerusalem Bible (TJB) is an English effort based upon a French translation. The Bible was translated from the original languages, while its study notes are translated from French. In many places the translations are freer than its counterparts, such as the Revised Standard. The Jerusalem Bible was revised by the New Jerusalem Bible (NJB).
The New American Bible (NAB) is the first American Catholic Bible to be translated from the original manuscripts.
The Contemporary English Version (CEV) was first translated as a work for early youth. Its aim is to be a functional equivalence by determining the meanings of words and then expressing them in the most accurate and natural contemporary English.
The New Century Version (NCV) was originally published as the International Children's Bible. The adult version was originally called The Everyday Bible. Both versions emphasize simplicity and clarity of expression.
The Message is a work by Eugene H. Peterson. This is an idiomatic English translation of the Scriptures and does not exist as a complete Bible as of yet.
New English Translation (NET) is one "in the middle." It is brand new having been just completed (fall, 1998) and originally published solely on the Internet at www.bible.org. This site is one composed primarily of graduates of Dallas Theological Seminary. This Seminary has produced most of the critical studies on the manuscripts in the last half of this century. The NET is describe as more accurate than the NASB, more readable than the NIV, and more elegant than either.
The Amplified Bible is not really a translation or paraphrase, but a unique study tool. Based upon the KJV, RSV, and other similar manuscripts, The Amplified Bible has expanded on alternate word meanings, providing these alternate shades of difference right in the body of the text so that one does not have to resort to a lexicon or dictionary to find the various shades of difference in word usage.
It is interesting to note that after some 1500 years of use, the Catholic Church moved away from the Latin Vulgate as its Bible. The New Jerusalem Bible appeared in 1966 and was based upon a French translation. The New American Bible is the first American Catholic Bible translated from the original languages. Both of these are freer than a word-for-word translation, and in places reflect the theological views of the Roman Catholic Church.
For those who advocate the KJV only position, one might ask:
I have no problem with folks using and loving the KJV. It is a beautiful translation and it was no doubt the most accurate translation possible at the time it was published. It is just that some people of late have elevated the KJV to a position its translators never intended. It is simply a translation, and like ALL translations it is not perfect. For words studies and research the NASB, NJKV, KJV and ASV are recommended. For leisure reading the NIV and TLB.
More English versions of the Bible are being prepared as we speak. I thank YHWH for all these translations and the ones to come. If even ONE soul reads ONE of these versions and comes to our Father because of it, then they will have served their purpose. To YHWH be the glory. Amen.
These are the underlying rules or views which we hold about YHWH's Word. How correct are these? They influence our view of the origin, authority, and purpose of the Bible. An example list of pre-suppositions would look like: (Note: these are only as an example and not necessarily One Stick Study Den's views)
[1 Corinthians 2:12-16] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Understand, however, that this last pre-supposition does not mean that unsaved man will never understand any of the Bible. Man, being created in YHWH's image, is intelligent. Many good studies of the language, cultural, and historical perspectives of ancient times come from the "unsaved". These are all useful in arriving at a proper interpretation of some aspects of the Scriptures.
Likewise, the Holy Spirit will use the Word of YHWH to draw men to Himself so that the salvation message may be heard and understood.
Yet the Bible through the illumination of the Holy Spirit will still "speak" to the individual today, not with new revelation knowledge from or about YHWH but "new" old truths with a practical application of spiritual knowledge in the life of the individual. (Back)
So what are pre-understandings?
Pre-understandings describe what the interpreter brings to the task of interpretation. These are based upon a wide variety of factors and may be viewed as the philosophy of the interpreter.
These pre-understandings will change or modify one's pre-suppositions and views of Scripture. If one assumes there is no God, there is no room for the existence of miracles, which are by definition an act of God. If one believes in evolution, Genesis 1 and 2 on the creation of the earth and its contents, including man, become myth. If one believes that works play an important part in salvation, passages will be interpreted with this in mind. (Back)
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the 500 most used words in the English language each has an average of 23 different meanings. The word “round,” for instance, has 70 distinctly different meanings. Tan, Paul Lee, Encyclopedia of 7,700 Illustrations, (Garland, Texas: Bible Communications, Inc.) 1996.
Formal equivalence is the attempt to translate Scripture on a word-for-word basis. In theory, no consideration is given to the difference in word meaning or slang over the centuries. (Back)
There was a time, not so long ago when it was "square" to study. Now its "cool". What’s more, it you say it’s cool, you’ll be absolutely, 100 percent, dictionary correct. The teen meaning of the word “cool” is in many new dictionaries. Some dictionaries define its current slang meaning as “great, fine, excellent.” Teens are the source of much that is new in today’s general vocabulary. Most slang is created by older teens and by people in their early twenties. Then it filters up to adults, and down to younger teens.
Dynamic equivalence is an effort to convey the original meaning of the word, phrase, or sentence, rather than given a definitive word-for-word translation. It is an idea-for-idea translation. Dynamic equivalence is sometimes call "functional equivalence." (Back)
