Translations unfairly disparaged

As a missionary involved in Bible translation for 18 years, I was disappointed with the tone of ‘Packer’s Bible now bestseller’ (August).

 In celebrating the sales of the English Standard Version (ESV), disparaging remarks were made about other translations. Unhelpful comments were made against translation approaches – such as the ‘meaning based’ philosophy behind some translations, which tell readers ‘what was meant’ by the text.

The ‘Dueling Translations’ sidebar, which compared different versions of three Bible verses, reflected this negative and combative attitude. This only confuses the average Christian, creates unnecessary divisions over minor issues; and undermines the benefits we can gain from the multitude of translations.  

I trust that the ESV version’s scholars showed a more humble and gracious attitude than is reflected in this article.

Rather than claiming pre-eminence for one translation, the church is better served when such articles recognize the complementary nature of translations – which, together, reveal a depth of meaning in the original text, in a way that isn’t possible through one single translation.

J.I. Packer is quoted as asserting that some translations “deviate from what was said in several thousand places.” This implies the other translators have erred or deliberately misled the Bible reader, to the extent that their translation is a distortion of God’s word.

Not only is such a claim disrespectful to equally dedicated and educated scholars, but it is harmful to those who depend on these translations in their daily walk with God.  

Packer is also quoted as saying that some translations present “what was meant but not what was said.” This statement is misleading, because it implies that the ESV provides ‘what was said.’ This is not possible, since what was originally ‘said’ was in another language. In order to provide ‘what was said,’ one must refuse to translate – and only read the original text, in Greek or Hebrew.  

Secondly, if a translation does not communicate the meaning of the original within the forms and concepts of the receptor language, then the translation has failed in its task.  

The ESV is as carefully constructed a formal translation as modern scholarship allows.  But this does not put it above other versions. Rather, it is a welcome addition to other equally valuable translations.  

Mark Naylor,
Northwest Baptist Seminary,
Langley

Thanksgiving: bane of the left?

We will soon be celebrating Thanksgiving. It occurs to me that if the ‘left’ – i.e. those who attack the celebration of Christmas – only knew the historical truth, they would attack Thanksgiving and not Christmas.

The celebration of Christmas began around the 4th century. It has its roots in paganism – not a belief in God. The Roman Feast of Saturnalia marked the end of winter, and anticipation of springtime and harvest.

The church under Emperor Constantine attempted to wipe out paganism by Christianizing this holiday – and instead propagated a mishmash of idolatrous worship.

Thanksgiving has quite a different history. It actually is rooted in a belief in God. The first European settlers believed in God, and honoured him for his blessings on their lives.

If only the left knew the truth.  

Earl Banks, North Vancouver

Continue article >>

Cartoon broke a commandment

BCCN’s September editorial cartoon had only 15 total words; but it used the first two to break the third commandment. I was shocked that a Christian newspaper would print a cartoon that took God’s name in vain.  

But I wasn’t all that surprised. Many Christians regularly take God’s name in vain, using it in circumstances where they are neither calling on God, nor talking about him. Instead of saying “Wow!” or “I can’t believe it!” they carelessly misuse his holy name.

Christians might avoid saying the f-word (and I’m sure your newspaper would never print it); but few Christians are careful about how they use God’s name any more.

What does it say when we treat the f-word with more ‘reverence” than God’s name?  

Jon Dykstra, Abbotsford

Mood disorder articles very helpful

In August, we featured ‘No longer alone in struggle with mood disorders,’ by Marja Bergen. A similar piece by the author, published on canadianchristianity.com, drew the following emails. 

My son-in-law is bipolar. Last fall, he suffered a manic episode that jolted our entire family into a world we had no idea existed.

Words cannot adequately describe the far- reaching affects of this illness.

After nine months, our lives are only now returning back to normal. Through all of this, God’s guiding hand has been remarkable.

Suffice it to say that our Lord Jesus has walked with our son-in-law, and been a tower of strength to all of the family.

Yes, our God can cause good to come from what we often perceive as bad. Our extended family has drawn closer, and each of us can attest to God’s goodness throughout this ordeal.

By his grace and mercy, we will face tomorrow with an eagerness that is unknown outside of a living faith in Jesus !

Chuck Pearce

Marja, I loved this essay. It gives me hope that my son will find peace with himself. We know his life will be difficult for some time; he’s only 17, so I’m hoping for a cure.

You’ve helped me see that if a person can accept who they really are, and learn to love that person, then life will seem less hard.

Although we’re not believers in God, we are believers that life is not something that ‘just happens to you,’ but instead that life is what you will make of it. I will pass your words on to my son. Thank you.

Connie

For several articles by Marja Bergen, go to the Quicksearch feature at CanadianChristianity.com and type the author’s name. For a related article, see ‘Battling mental health stigma,’ page 27.

October 2007