can we trust the bible? - coweta community church · 2019-07-16 · can we trust the bible?...
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CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Christianity rises or falls on the truth of the
resurrection of Christ recorded in the Bible.
“At its very heart, Christianity is a claim that
something extraordinary has happened in the
course of time—something concrete, and real,
and historical” (Gilbert 20).
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
But is the Bible’s record reliable?
Can we trust our present-day translations?
Are we “confident that copyists accurately
transmitted the original writing to us”?
Do we have the right books in the Bible?
Were the authors telling the truth?
If we can reasonably demonstrate these four
things, we can trust the Bible
to be true!
1 •Translation
2 •Transmission
3 •Canon (Books)
4 •Author Integrity
= Confidence in the Bible’s Record
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
There are numerous, quality Bible translations available today. Here are just a few:
The Authorized Version (AV or KJV, 1611; NKJV 1982)
The Revised Standard Version (RSV, 1946; NRSV 1989)
The New American Standard Bible (NASB, 1960, 1995)
The New International Version (NIV, 1978, 1984, 2011)
Contemporary English Version (CEV, 1995)
The New Living Translation (NLT, 1996, 2007)
English Standard Version (ESV, 2001)
The Message Bible (MSG, 2003)
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Due to time constraints, we will primarily focus
on just two translations: the Authorized Version
AV (or King James Version [KJV]) and the New
International Version (NIV).
KING JAMES KING JAMES II
Special pains shall be “taken for an uniform translation, Special pains shall be “taken for an uniform translation,
which should be done by the best learned men in both which should be done by the best learned men in both
Universities, then reviewed by the Bishops, presented to Universities, then reviewed by the Bishops, presented to
the Privy Council, lastly ratified by the Royal authority...."the Privy Council, lastly ratified by the Royal authority...."
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
There were 47 to 54 translators working on the
King James Bible translation project.
“They were divided into six companies, two of
which would work at each place where the
translators gathered: Westminster, Cambridge,
and Oxford” England.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
They first translated by themselves, then met
as a group to revise their work.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
For example, “John Bois…a former scholar and
fellow of St. Johns College, Cambridge, and for
ten years chief lecturer there in Greek, was one
of the men selected for the second Cambridge
company.” (Allen 5)
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Here are some actual handwritten notes from
his translation work recorded about 1604
(most translator notes were lost in a great fire
in London).
John Bois’ handwritten translation notes on James 3:4 of the AV
The AV settled on: “yet are they turned about with a very small
helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.”
The NIV states: “they are steered by a very small rudder wherever
the pilot wants to go.”
The first line: “…whithersoever the sway of the governor listeth.”
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
The point of this is not an exercise in
translation, but to show the diligence and
carefulness in which every word was
considered for the translation.
The process was slow and methodical—they
labored over minute details.
It was finally completed in 1611.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Although the translators of the King James
Bible were diligent to produce an excellent
translation that endures even today, they did
not have the quality of manuscripts and the
number of manuscripts available today.
We have, in effect, removed a thousand years
of copying by using these earlier manuscripts.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Consequently, modern translations have
deeper historical roots—placing them closer to
the original manuscripts.
Thus, in general, we can have better confidence
in our modern translations because they are
based on better manuscripts.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Let’s now turn our attention to one of those
more modern translations, the NIV.
The translation effort to produce the New
International Version (NIV) “involved more than
a hundred scholars working in excess of
200,000 man-hours over a period of twenty-
five years at a cost of more than two million
dollars” (Youngblood 239).
THE NIV COMMITTEE ON BIBLE TRANSLATIONTHE NIV COMMITTEE ON BIBLE TRANSLATION
Photo July 2010, after finishing the revised NIV (2011). Left to right: Bruce
Waltke, Ron Youngblood, Larry Walker, Jeannine Brown, Karen Jobes, Gordon
Fee, Dick France, Bill Mounce, Craig Blomberg, David Instone-Brewer, Michael
Williams, Paul Swarup, Ken Barker, Doug Moo, Mark Strauss.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
When establishing the translation committee
for the NIV, they searched for top scholars in
ancient biblical languages, as well as
specialists in history, archaeology, theology,
grammar and style. Numerous translators
assisted with the effort.
The translators came from a variety of
Protestant denominations.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
These scholars were organized “into
committees on four different levels so the New
International Version could be checked, double
checked and then checked again” (Barnard
126).
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
The NIV translators sought to be faithful both to
the original and to the receptor language—
trying to get across to the reader what the
original author meant.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
They basically wanted to achieve three things:
They wanted a translation produced by scholars
who held to a high view of Scripture.
They wanted an accurate translation—one that
brought over into English the meaning that the
original authors intended.
They wanted the translation to be in the language
of ordinary people—English the way we
speak it today.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
They also endeavored to “combine the dignity
requisite for public use, the intimacy needed for
private use, and the accuracy necessary for
study” (Youngblood 244-245).
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
For all the variety of Bibles available to us,
there are basically three types of Bible
translations, although they often overlap:
Word for word
Thought for thought
Free Paraphrase
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
The challenge to every translator is to be
faithful to the original language and to be
faithful to the receptor language.
BIBLE TRANSLATIONSBIBLE TRANSLATIONS
Word for Word Thought for Thought Free Paraphrase
Interlinear NASB KJV RSV NIV NJB GNB JBP NLB MSG
NKJV TNIV
ESV
KJVKJV Let this mind be in Let this mind be in
you, which was also you, which was also
in Christ Jesus: in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the Who, being in the
form of God, form of God,
thought it not thought it not
robbery to be equal robbery to be equal
with God: But made with God: But made
himself of no himself of no
reputation…reputation…
——Phil 2:5Phil 2:5--7a7a
NIVNIV Your attitude should Your attitude should
be the same as that be the same as that
of Christ Jesus: of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very Who, being in very
nature God, did not nature God, did not
consider equality consider equality
with God something with God something
to be grasped, but to be grasped, but
made himself made himself
nothing.…nothing.…
——Phil 2:5Phil 2:5--7a7a
MSGMSG Think of yourselves Think of yourselves
the way Christ Jesus the way Christ Jesus
thought of himself. thought of himself.
He had equal status He had equal status
with God but didn’t with God but didn’t
think so much of think so much of
himself that he had himself that he had
to cling to the to cling to the
advantages of that advantages of that
status no matter status no matter
what. Not at all. what. Not at all.
When the time came, When the time came,
he set aside the he set aside the
privileges of deityprivileges of deity..…..…
——Phil 2:5Phil 2:5--7a7a
BIBLE TRANSLATIONSBIBLE TRANSLATIONS
Τουτο γαρ φρονεισθω εν υμιν ο και εν Χριστω Ιησου This for let mind be in you which also in Christ Jesus
[was];
Interlinear New Testament: Philippians 2:5
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
But are there a lot of words or verses for which
the scholars are unsure about?
In reality, there is only a small percentage of
words or verses where scholars are unsure
about their meaning/translation.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
When this happens, modern translations
usually note that the meaning is uncertain
(cf. Ezek. 28:13).
AV: “… the workmanship of thy tabrets and of
thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that
thou wast created.”
NIV: “Your settings and mountings were made
of gold; on the day you were
created they were prepared.”
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
In some cases archaeological discoveries have
clarified uncertain words.
We should note that no major doctrines
rest on any of these unclear words or verses.
How do we apply this?
WHY DO WE NEED NEW OR DIFFERENT WHY DO WE NEED NEW OR DIFFERENT
TRANSLATIONS?TRANSLATIONS?
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Why do we need new or different translations?
First of all, languages change and, therefore,
translations require updating.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
When we look at the Authorized Version (AV, or
KJV Bible), it has been estimated that over 800
words have changed their meanings over time.
About 200 words have changed their meanings
substantially.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
For example, the simple word “let” in the KJV
(cf. 2 Thess. 2:7) means “restrain” or “stop.”
Whereas, today it always means “permit” or
“allow.”
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
As we continue to learn about the original
languages, customs, geography and events, we
continue to improve the accuracy of
translations (e.g. Martin Luther and “penance”
vs. “repentance”).
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
But beyond this, we all share a common
problem: if we read a particular translation long
enough, we become so used to it that it no
longer speaks to us with power.
It can be beautiful, like the AV, or modern, like
the NIV, but if we read it so much, we can grow
calluses on our hearts to the words.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
There is also the issue that whenever we
translate, there may remain a residue of
untranslatable truth.
Often a different translation can bring out
another nuance of meaning—it may be just
what the Lord wants to speak to us.
When it comes to Bible translations,
more may be better.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Don’t get locked into the King James only
mentality.
Use a more thought-for-thought or paraphrased
translation when doing general reading or
devotions.
Use a more word-for-word translation when
doing Bible studies, especially when related to
the original languages.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Having a number of really good translations
also helps us avoid bad translations, such as
the New World Translation of the Holy
Scriptures published by the Watchtower Bible
and Tract Society (or Jehovah’s Witnesses).
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Since JWs don’t believe in the deity of Christ,
here’s one example of how they insert their
bias into the Bible:
Colossians 1:13-20
in the NWT
Note the insertion of
the word “other” into
the text, implying that
Christ was a created
being (i.e., that all
other things were
created by Him except
that the Father created
the Son).
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Inserting the word “other,” even in brackets, is
unjustifiable from the passage. It nowhere
implies that Christ is less than or subordinate
to the Father.
On the contrary, it emphasizes His
preeminence over created things (as the
Creator) and His equality with the Father.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Translations are not infallible, and they do go
through revisions. But keep in mind that even
in New Testament times the “translation in
hand” is referred to as Scripture (Lk. 4:21; Jn.
5:39; Acts 8:32; 17:2, 11).
Further, the New Testament authors often
quoted from a translation (the Septuagint, or
LXX) rather than the Hebrew text.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
Thus, we can trust the integrity of the
translators and their work and we can have
confidence in the translations we have.
CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?CAN WE TRUST THE BIBLE?
But what about the transmission of the texts
our translations are based on? Can we trust
these texts?
That is for another lesson.
BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY
Allen, Ward. Translating for King James. Kingsport Press: Kingsport Tennessee, 1969.
Barnard, Richard. God’s Word in Our Language: The Story of the New International Version. Colorado Springs: International Bible Society, 1989.
Gilbert, Greg. Why Trust the Bible. Wheaton: Crossway, 2015.
Glassman, Eugene. The Translation Debate. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1981.
Goodrick, Edward. Let’s Put 2 Timothy 3:16 Back in the Bible. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 25, Dec. 1982.
Moo, Douglas. We Still Don’t Get It: Evangelicals and Bible Translation Fifty Years After James Barr. Presidential Address to the Evangelical Theological Society.
BIBLIOGRAPHYBIBLIOGRAPHY
Youngblood, Carolyn. The New International Version
Translation Project: Its Conception and Implementation.
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 21:3
(September, 1978).
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