Bible Translations

[humblemuslim]

I have seen some Christians who claim a translation, commonly the King James Version, is the only valid Bible, the Word of God.

Other Christians will denounce certain translations, a common choice being the New International Revision, but they will accept a multitude of other translations.

So the questions (All related to the larger topic) are the following:

1. If someone tells other people the KJV is the only Bible, why would these people not take the more logical step of saying the original Greek texts of the New Testament and Hebrew texts of the Old Testament are the only valid Scripture?

Taking on the position that a translation into English is the only valid option seems unreasonable.

2. Why is there not more focus on the original languages among Christians in general?

When someone reads a translation, any translation, they are limited to the interpretation and understanding of the translator. Of course, one could possible argue this away by saying the translators somehow translated the originals perfectly into the later language. I personally do not find this convincing, and anyone who has studied more than one language knows that languages do not perfectly translate into each other just in the nature of how languages are structured. Some words will simply not translate into one other word in another language perfectly.

Thanks for responses.

 

[Apodictic]

I believe there is no true and faithful substitution for the originals. All too often I find myself at odds with the translations used today. The choices they make are not always based on what is actually written, unfortunately...

 

[ebia]

I have seen some Christians who claim a translation, commonly the King James Version, is the only valid Bible, the Word of God.

A pretty small (if very vocal) group of Christians actually hold this view.

Other Christians will denounce certain translations, a common choice being the New International Revision, but they will accept a multitude of other translations.

There are better translations, and less good translations. There are no perfect translations, and very few really bad ones.

So the questions (All related to the larger topic) are the following:

1. If someone tells other people the KJV is the only Bible, why would these people not take the more logical step of saying the original Greek texts of the New Testament and Hebrew texts of the Old Testament are the only valid Scripture?

Taking on the position that a translation into English is the only valid option seems unreasonable.

Beats me.

2. Why is there not more focus on the original languages among Christians in general?

There is perhaps more than you realise. But Christians recognise a few things:
1. That it's the message that's important, not the medium
2. That reading the bible in its three original languages with real understanding is beyond most people.
3. That even in the original languages the manuscripts we have aren't perfect. Very good, but not flawless.

When someone reads a translation, any translation, they are limited to the interpretation and understanding of the translator. Of course, one could possible argue this away by saying the translators somehow translated the originals perfectly into the later language. I personally do not find this convincing, and anyone who has studied more than one language knows that languages do not perfectly translate into each other just in the nature of how languages are structured. Some words will simply not translate into one other word in another language perfectly.

Translation is (as you say) inherently imperfect, which is why scholars do go back to the original languages. However, most people are not at the point where that's the biggest issue.

The reality of the muslim world, where reading the Koran in Arabic is consider essential, is that people learn to recite the arabic but have little or no understanding of what they are reciting unless they are fluent in Arabic in its ancient form. Even if one can read a bit in the original language one is much more likely to misunderstand passages if one is not an expert.

The ideal of everybody reading fluently in the original languages is an unattainable dream for Muslim or Christian. Having experienced Islam in a non-Arabic speaking Islamic country (Pakistan) I would say that the Christian solution of focusing most people on (good) translations while the scholars go back to the original texts is the better compromise.

 

[ephraimanesti]

When someone reads a translation, any translation, they are limited to the interpretation and understanding of the translator. Of course, one could possible argue this away by saying the translators somehow translated the originals perfectly into the later language. I personally do not find this convincing, and anyone who has studied more than one language knows that languages do not perfectly translate into each other just in the nature of how languages are structured. Some words will simply not translate into one other word in another language perfectly.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Translations of the Bible--with the exception of the New World Translation which is a perversion created by Jehovah's Witness to bolster the unchristian doctrines and beliefs--although obviously not perfect, are nevertheless good enough. The purpose of the Bible--at least from God's standpoint--is to lead is to Him through Jesus by the Holy Spirit. This just about any Bible translation can do given an open and willing heart and mind in the reader.

All the differences between Bible translations add up to a miniscule percentage of the whole, very seldom involve meaniful or important doctrinal details, and in and of themselves do not present any stumbling block to seekers after truth. He who seeks will find, irregardless of the translation he is reading.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[Blackmarch]

I have seen some Christians who claim a translation, commonly the King James Version, is the only valid Bible, the Word of God.

Other Christians will denounce certain translations, a common choice being the New International Revision, but they will accept a multitude of other translations.

So the questions (All related to the larger topic) are the following:

1. If someone tells other people the KJV is the only Bible, why would these people not take the more logical step of saying the original Greek texts of the New Testament and Hebrew texts of the Old Testament are the only valid Scripture?

Taking on the position that a translation into English is the only valid option seems unreasonable.

2. Why is there not more focus on the original languages among Christians in general?

When someone reads a translation, any translation, they are limited to the interpretation and understanding of the translator. Of course, one could possible argue this away by saying the translators somehow translated the originals perfectly into the later language. I personally do not find this convincing, and anyone who has studied more than one language knows that languages do not perfectly translate into each other just in the nature of how languages are structured. Some words will simply not translate into one other word in another language perfectly.

Thanks for responses.

I don't think any translation is perfect, and so I don't think any of them are an absolute valid at the disregard for the rest.

I do prefer the KJV tho.

 

[humblemuslim]

MY DEAR FRIEND,

Translations of the Bible--with the exception of the New World Translation which is a perversion created by Jehovah's Witness to bolster the unchristian doctrines and beliefs--although obviously not perfect, are nevertheless good enough. The purpose of the Bible--at least from God's standpoint--is to lead is to Him through Jesus by the Holy Spirit. This just about any Bible translation can do given an open and willing heart and mind in the reader.

All the differences between Bible translations add up to a miniscule percentage of the whole, very seldom involve meaniful or important doctrinal details, and in and of themselves do not present any stumbling block to seekers after truth. He who seeks will find, irregardless of the translation he is reading.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

Is there anywhere that lists the problems with the New World Translation? Whenever someone says a translation is bad it makes me want to know why it is considered bad.

Or maybe you can point me to concise examples of what makes this translation incorrect. You mention that is trying to "bolster the unchristian doctrines and beliefs". Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the Trinity, so I am assuming this is one of those doctrines that is being besieged by their translation.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Is there anywhere that lists the problems with the New World Translation? Whenever someone says a translation is bad it makes me want to know why it is considered bad.

Or maybe you can point me to concise examples of what makes this translation incorrect. You mention that is trying to "bolster the unchristian doctrines and beliefs". Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in the Trinity, so I am assuming this is one of those doctrines that is being besieged by their translation.

MY FRIEND--There are many books, articles, and web sites covering this topic. One you might check out for a pretty good overview of the issues raised by the New World "translation" is:

http://www.contenderministries.org/jehovahswitnesses/nwt.php

It is not the most detailed i have seen but it explains the issues in layperson's terms and is, as you requested, concise.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[humblemuslim]

MY FRIEND--There are many books, articles, and web sites covering this topic. One you might check out for a pretty good overview of the issues raised by the New World "translation" is:

http://www.contenderministries.org/jehovahswitnesses/nwt.php

It is not the most detailed i have seen but it explains the issues in layperson's terms and is, as you requested, concise.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim

Thank you