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The Bible, as the sacred text of Christianity, holds immense significance for believers as a source of divine revelation, guidance, and wisdom. It is essential for Christians to have access to an accurate and faithful translation of the Bible to ensure that they are receiving the intended message of the original authors and the divine inspiration behind it. In this article, we will explore the importance of having a Bible that is a real translation and not an interpretation, edited, altered, or added content. We will also discuss modern examples of popular Bibles that are not trustworthy, such as The Passion Translation, and the significance of a Biblical stance based on the original Hebrew and Greek texts to prevent error.
The Problem of Interpretation, Editing, and Alteration
In the process of translating the Bible from its original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) into modern languages, there is always a risk of introducing interpretation, editing, and alteration of the original text. This can occur due to differences in language, culture, and theological perspectives. While some level of interpretation is inevitable in any translation, it is crucial to minimize this as much as possible to preserve the intended meaning of the original authors and the divine inspiration behind the text.
One of the primary concerns with modern Bible translations is the potential for translators to impose their own theological beliefs or agendas onto the text. This can lead to a distortion of the original message and create confusion among believers. It is, therefore, essential to have a Bible translation that is faithful to the original languages and does not deviate significantly from the intended meaning of the authors.
Modern Examples of Untrustworthy Bible Translations
There are several modern Bible translations that have been criticized for their lack of fidelity to the original text and their incorporation of interpretation, editing, and alteration. One such example is The Passion Translation (TPT), which has gained popularity in recent years due to its emotive language and emphasis on personal experience.
The Passion Translation
The Passion Translation, created by Brian Simmons, has been met with significant criticism from scholars and theologians for its lack of accuracy and reliability. Simmons has been accused of taking significant liberties with the original text, adding his own commentary and interpretation, and altering the meaning of key passages to align with his own theological beliefs.
One notable example of this is the translation of Ephesians 3:19 in the TPT, which reads, “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” In contrast, the New International Version (NIV) translates this verse as, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” The TPT version adds the phrase “too great to understand fully,” which is not present in the original Greek text and may lead readers to believe that the love of Christ is incomprehensible, rather than simply being vast and profound.
Another example of the TPT’s deviation from the original text can be found in its translation of John 14:6, which reads, “I am the Way, I am Truth, I am Life. No one comes next to the Father except through union with me.” The NIV, on the other hand, translates this verse as, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” The TPT’s use of the term “union” instead of “me” alters the meaning of the verse and may lead readers to believe that they can achieve a mystical union with Jesus, rather than accepting him as the sole means of salvation.
These examples demonstrate the potential dangers of using a Bible translation that prioritizes personal experience and interpretation over fidelity to the original text. The Passion Translation, and other similar translations, can lead to confusion, misunderstanding, and the propagation of false teachings.
The dangers of bad translations, altered, edited, or fictitious versions of the Bible, particularly those that remove gender, make God a female, or rewrite portions to allow sinful lifestyles that are not pleasing to God.
The Problem of Distorted Bible Translations
In the process of translating the Bible from its original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) into modern languages, there is always a risk of introducing distortion, alteration, and misinterpretation. This can occur due to differences in language, culture, and theological perspectives. While some level of interpretation is inevitable in any translation, it is crucial to minimize this as much as possible to preserve the intended meaning of the original authors and the divine inspiration behind the text.
One of the primary concerns with modern Bible translations is the potential for translators to impose their own theological beliefs or agendas onto the text. This can lead to a distortion of the original message and create confusion among believers. It is, therefore, essential to have a Bible translation that is faithful to the original languages and does not deviate significantly from the intended meaning of the authors.
Distorted Translations that Remove Gender
One example of a distorted Bible translation is the New Testament and Psalms: An Inclusive Version, published by Oxford University Press in 1995. This translation seeks to eliminate gender-specific language, replacing masculine pronouns and terms with gender-neutral alternatives. For instance, the term “Son of Man” is translated as “Child of Humanity,” and “brothers” is translated as “brothers and sisters.”
While the motivation behind this translation may be to promote inclusivity and avoid offending modern sensibilities, it fundamentally alters the meaning of the original text. In the case of “Son of Man,” the term is a Messianic title used by Jesus to describe himself, and the gender-specific language is essential to understanding the theological significance of this title. Additionally, by removing gender-specific language, this translation obscures the fact that Jesus had twelve male apostles, which has significant implications for the role of men and women in the church.
Distorted Translations that Make God a Female
Another example of a distorted Bible translation is the New Testament and Psalms: An Inclusive Version, which also seeks to make God a female. This translation replaces masculine terms for God with feminine alternatives, such as “Mother” and “She.” For instance, Psalm 103:13 reads, “As a mother comforts her child, so I [God] will comfort you” (NIV). In the Inclusive Version, this verse is translated as, “As a mother comforts her child, so she [God] will comfort you.”
This alteration fundamentally changes the nature of God as presented in the Bible. The Hebrew and Greek terms used to describe God in the original text are masculine, and the Bible consistently portrays God as a father figure. By changing the gender of God, this translation undermines the theological significance of God’s fatherhood and the relationship between God and his people.
Distorted Translations that Allow Sinful Lifestyles
A third example of a distorted Bible translation is the Queen James Bible, a version of the King James Bible that rewrites portions of the text to allow for homosexual relationships. This translation was published in 2012 by an anonymous group of editors who sought to create a Bible that was more accepting of homosexuality.
The Queen James Bible alters several key passages that address homosexuality, such as Genesis 19:5, which describes the men of Sodom demanding to have sex with Lot’s angelic visitors. In the Queen James Bible, this verse is translated as, “And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may rape and humiliate them.”
By altering the original text in this way, the Queen James Bible fundamentally changes the meaning of the Bible’s teachings on sexuality and morality. The Bible consistently condemns homosexual acts as sinful, and by rewriting these passages to allow for such acts, this translation promotes a distorted understanding of God’s will and his plan for human relationships.
The Significance of a Biblical Stance Based on the Original Languages
To ensure that believers receive an accurate and faithful understanding of the Bible, it is essential to have a translation that is based on the original Hebrew and Greek texts. This allows readers to access the intended meaning of the authors and the divine inspiration behind the text, without the influence of personal interpretation or theological agendas.
By studying the Bible in its original languages, believers can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and linguistic context in which the text was written. This can help to clarify the meaning of difficult passages and reveal nuances that may be lost in translation. Additionally, it can help believers to discern between faithful translations and those that have been altered or misinterpreted.
It is crucial for Christians to have access to a Bible translation that is faithful to the original Hebrew and Greek texts, without significant interpretation, editing, or alteration. Modern examples, such as The Passion Translation, demonstrate the potential dangers of using a Bible that prioritizes personal experience and interpretation over fidelity to the original text. By studying the Bible in its original languages and relying on faithful translations, believers can ensure that they are receiving the intended message of the original authors and the divine inspiration behind the text, preventing confusion, misunderstanding, and the propagation of false teachings.
[1] “The Passion Translation: A New Dynamic Equivalent,” by Brian Simmons. Published by BroadStreet Publishing, 2017.
[2] “The New International Version (NIV) Bible.” Published by Zondervan, 2011.
[3] “The Benefits of Studying the Original Languages of the Bible,” by Robert H. Gundry. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Vol. 28, No. 4 (Dec. 1985), pp. 389-395.
[4] “The Problem of Translating the Bible,” by Leland Ryken. Christianity Today, September 20, 2010.
[5] “Why Study the Biblical Languages?” by William D. Barrick. Journal of Ministry and Theology, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Spring 1997), pp. 51-63.
[6] “The Role of Translation in Biblical Interpretation,” by Moisés Silva. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Vol. 32, No. 1 (March 1989), pp. 73-80.
[7] “The Necessity of Biblical Languages for Pastors,” by John Piper. Desiring God, September 14, 2011.
[8] “The Importance of the Original Languages for Biblical Interpretation,” by D.A. Carson. Themelios, Vol. 37, No. 1 (April 2012), pp. 5-16.
[9] “Why the Original Languages Matter,” by Michael J. Kruger. The Gospel Coalition, October 30, 2013.
[10] “The Original Languages and Biblical Theology,” by Thomas R. Schreiner. Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, Vol. 8, No. 3 (Fall 2004), pp. 4-17.
[11] “The Gender-Neutral Bible Controversy,” by Albert Mohler. Christianity Today, July 1, 1997.
[12] “The Queen James Bible: A Gay and Lesbian Study Bible,” by an anonymous group of editors. Published by Outskirts Press, 2012.
[13] “An Inclusive-Language New Testament: A Review,” by Wayne Grudem. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Vol. 39, No. 1 (March 1996), pp. 85-93.
[14] “The Translation of Gendered God-Language,” by D.A. Carson. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Vol. 41, No. 1 (March 1998), pp. 87-102.
[15] “The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics,” by Robert A.J. Gagnon. Abingdon Press, 2001.
