Shawn, what are your thoughts regarding translations vs the extant original language texts in terms of inspiration?
I've concluded that translations, while beneficial and necessary, can't hold the same level of inspirational authority as the original language text, because they are in a language other than the original and translations always lose at some of the meaning of the original, and are prone to at least some translators bias.
James, thank you for that great question! I think it's a very relevant one!
To begin with, I think it's pretty safe to say that translations are not inspired, while the original authors were. At the same time, I don't believe in verbal inerrancy/inspiration, so I wouldn't make too big a deal about the original language texts - especially when we also realize that the "original language texts" we have aren't "original" either, and so there is always going to be some distance between what the "original" authors actually wrote and the copies we have access to today. This doesn't mean it's a "free for all" and that we can't trust what we read; it's simply to remind us that placing our trust in the exact, literal words of Scripture is not where our faith and hope rest.
At the same time, I wouldn't want to give anyone the impression that being a Greek or Hebrew scholar is necessary in order for us to fully encounter God through Scripture. I think if we want to have a deeper understanding and experience with the text, then consulting with a wide variety of translations can be very effective.
With all that said, I am also a big fan of reading and consulting with the Greek and Hebrew (and Aramaic) of Scripture for many different reasons and have found it to be very beneficial. There is definitely something that is always "lost in translation," and there are definite biases (and "agendas") with any translations we have, and there is just something about reading the texts in the original languages that leaves one with a richer experience. So, again, I'm a huge fan - without giving the impression that it is absolutely necessary in order to have a robust experience with God through Scripture.
I'm a fan of consulting / reading the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek too although at this stage I'm only really proficient in Hebrew. I have found a concordance to be very helpful, but even they are potentially prone to translators bias too.
The issue of whether translations are inspired is an interesting one. I have been told quite adamantly that the KJV is "perfect in every way, punctuation and all", which I have a very hard time accepting although I do read the KJV quite a lot. For years I've also read other translations as well in order to get a broader picture of what the Bible is actually saying and find that quite helpful.
I hear what your saying about the "original language texts" not actual being the original text, but I guess it's the closest we've got to the original.
Shawn, what are your thoughts regarding translations vs the extant original language texts in terms of inspiration?
I've concluded that translations, while beneficial and necessary, can't hold the same level of inspirational authority as the original language text, because they are in a language other than the original and translations always lose at some of the meaning of the original, and are prone to at least some translators bias.
Does that seem like too narrow a view to you?
James, thank you for that great question! I think it's a very relevant one!
To begin with, I think it's pretty safe to say that translations are not inspired, while the original authors were. At the same time, I don't believe in verbal inerrancy/inspiration, so I wouldn't make too big a deal about the original language texts - especially when we also realize that the "original language texts" we have aren't "original" either, and so there is always going to be some distance between what the "original" authors actually wrote and the copies we have access to today. This doesn't mean it's a "free for all" and that we can't trust what we read; it's simply to remind us that placing our trust in the exact, literal words of Scripture is not where our faith and hope rest.
At the same time, I wouldn't want to give anyone the impression that being a Greek or Hebrew scholar is necessary in order for us to fully encounter God through Scripture. I think if we want to have a deeper understanding and experience with the text, then consulting with a wide variety of translations can be very effective.
With all that said, I am also a big fan of reading and consulting with the Greek and Hebrew (and Aramaic) of Scripture for many different reasons and have found it to be very beneficial. There is definitely something that is always "lost in translation," and there are definite biases (and "agendas") with any translations we have, and there is just something about reading the texts in the original languages that leaves one with a richer experience. So, again, I'm a huge fan - without giving the impression that it is absolutely necessary in order to have a robust experience with God through Scripture.
Thanks for your reply Shawn.
I'm a fan of consulting / reading the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek too although at this stage I'm only really proficient in Hebrew. I have found a concordance to be very helpful, but even they are potentially prone to translators bias too.
The issue of whether translations are inspired is an interesting one. I have been told quite adamantly that the KJV is "perfect in every way, punctuation and all", which I have a very hard time accepting although I do read the KJV quite a lot. For years I've also read other translations as well in order to get a broader picture of what the Bible is actually saying and find that quite helpful.
I hear what your saying about the "original language texts" not actual being the original text, but I guess it's the closest we've got to the original.
This is a timely read and really helps reduce the anxiety about, how to read and did I get the real meaning of what I read from, the Bible. Thank you.
Judi, thank you for your kind words! And I'm glad it was timely for you.