Regular readers will have noted from my posts here, on my personal Facebook page, on my website and on my BLOG that I am not a fan of popular Bible translations without careful checking using literal translations.
Popular translations produced by a single Christian denomination have obvious leanings towards the doctrines promoted by that denomination, and those produced by a team composed of several denominations can be doctrinally bland because of their need to ensure that all team members' doctrinal positions are not violated.
In particular, it's disappointing to see how the NIV has subtly changed its translation of verses that imply God's eventual reconciliation of all in its most recent versions.
Verses like Mark 3 : 28.
[NIV 1984 version] I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them.
[NIV 2011 version] Truly, I tell you, people can be forgiven for all their sins and every slander they utter.
Notice the subtle change from will be forgiven to can be forgiven in the more modern version. There is no translation support for such a change, only a doctrinal one.
In my post "Which Sin is Without Pardon?" I fell into the trap of trying to quote the most recent NIV version for my readers without checking for its accuracy.
The point I was trying to make in that post was centred on verse 29 and I carelessly copied in verse 28 for context, without my usual check against a literal translation.
Apologies to my readers. I am usually more accurate and careful than that.
By the way, most popular translations find it difficult to "doctrinalise" verses that state rather than imply God's eventual reconciliation of all, as that would be too difficult to get past diligent readers.
Verses like ...
This is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
[1 Timothy 4 : 10]
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus), and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
[Colossians 1 : 19 - 20]
Although the NIV (New International Version) translates these correctly, I am beginning to understand why some people call the NIV the New Incorrect Version.
This especially relates to the consistently incorrect translations regarding age and eternity and their adjectival forms in the New Testament, and Hades and hell throughout the whole Bible.
If you're interested, you can find substantial writings on these on this BLOG, and on my website at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au.
Again apologies for my carelessness in the previous post.
Blessings, Barry
Readers of my book "The Really Good News About God" and long-time readers of this BLOG and my website at www.ibtechservices.com.au will be familiar with my frequent criticisms of the poor translation of some key words in our most popular English Bibles, especially their New Testaments.
In my writings (and in my preaching) I usually offer a Biblical text or two to illustrate the point I am making to demonstrate the Biblical backing for the view being addressed.
If I quote from a popular version like NIV or GNB, I often have to adjust the quotation using a literal translation so that it better reflects what the Biblical writer is trying to say. Sometimes I actually quote the text from a literal translation like Young's or Rotherham's or the Concordant Version even though they use older King James style English and their expression is not usually free-flowing, quite wooden in fact.
Now some really good news.
Last week I was introduced to a brand new literal translation of the New Testament that was published just over 12 months ago. It is "The New Testament - A Translation" by David Bentley Hart.
My copy arrived in the post two days ago and I haven't been able to put it down since. I haven't read it all the way through yet, but I have read sizable chunks of it and especially chunks that include chapters containing the poor translations I have to keep adjusting.
And I am delighted!
If I can quote from this translation in my writings (I am inquiring about any copyright restrictions at the moment) I will never have to make those adjustments again because the translation is already literal and the English style and expression is very acceptable for written works.
David Bentley Hart is an Eastern Orthodox scholar of religion and a fellow at the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study. He set out to translate the New Testament etsi doctrina non daretur (as if doctrine is not given), and has produced a brilliant (IMO) 500-page translation that contains copious footnotes explaining the reasoning behind many of his translation decisions.
Some people will criticise a translation by one person rather than by a committee, just because it is a single person.
But I find a literal translation by an eminent scholar is more likely to be true to the original manuscripts and thus avoid doctrinal biases than a popular translation by a committee formed from a particular doctrinal persuasion on the one hand or by a committee representing many different doctrinal positions whose work needs to be smoothed over to keep all committee members on board.
Here is my signature Bible text from this new translation (sorry for the US spelling):
"For we labor and struggle to this end, because we have hoped in a living God who is the savior of all human beings, especially those who have faith. Enjoin and teach these things."
[1 Timothy 4 : 10,11 DBH]
If there are no copyright problems, you will see this translation used most (maybe all) of the time from now on.
Blessings, Barry
On several occasions I have referred to English translations of the New Testament Scriptures that have led many Christians to misunderstand the plans, and indeed the character, of God.
I won't go over old ground with this post, just draw attention to a new translation recommended for my consideration and opinion by my beautiful granddaughter.
It doesn't take long when looking at a new translation to discover the theology or doctrines of the translator or translation team.
For example, a minister once told me he changed his preferred translation because the translation team of his new preference was more evangelical than of his previous choice. It really can be that obvious.
What did my granddaughter recommend I review?
The Passion Translation (TPT).
It reads really well and has many very helpful comments at the bottom of each page, and I have enjoyed its fresh, passionate approach. It claims to use italics to show words used to clarify the narrative that are not in the original texts, which again is very helpful.
However lack of consistency in using italics (or not using them, actually) demonstrates the translator's personal bias and beliefs. This is what I call the Bible PUB test - Personal Unverified Bias or Belief.
Take, for example, two verses that are used to demonstrate God's sovereignty and God's purpose for His creation.
Here's the first - Acts 13 : 48
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
(Acts 13 : 48 NIV)
When the non-Jewish people in the crowd heard these words, they were thrilled and they honored the word of the Lord. All who believed that they were destined to experience eternal life received the message.
(Acts 13 : 48 TPT)
Let's overlook the wrong use of 'eternal' in both translations, and focus on the added words in TPT that were NOT italicised.
God's sovereignty in appointing/predestining has been replaced by mankind's belief/decision to determine their own destiny. There's that free-will myth again, discussed in "The Really Good News About God" page 78ff, showing the translator's PUB.
Here's a second - Romans 11 : 32
For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. (Romans 11 : 32 NIV)
Actually, God considers all of humanity to be prisoners of their unbelief, so that he can unlock our hearts and show his tender mercies to all who come to him. (Romans 11 : 32 TPT)
Let's overlook the TPT's diluting of God's action and involvement to just considering, and focus on the added words in TPT that are NOT italicised.
We again have God's sovereign action replaced by the freewill action of those who have chosen to come to him.
TPT is dotted with "salvation by mankind's freewill action" rather than God's gracious provision through the faithfulness of Jesus - all occurrences are displayed in the same type as the main text - which leads to so much incorrect thinking and theology.
I don't mind an author (or translator) publishing a book with these personal beliefs (which I can read and agree with or not), but I don't appreciate these beliefs being inserted into the text of an English translation without proper notation.
Having a literal translation on hand, like a Young or Concordant or Rotherham, will help evaluate the Bible translations we most frequently use and will keep us on track with understanding and appreciating God's character and His plans for mankind.
Blessings, Barry
Many Bible translators have been making their translations fit the teachings of mainstream christianity for a long time.
Most of us are aware that words like 'hell' and 'eternal' that appear regularly in the most popular (and therefore the most influential) English translations have little or no relation to the underlying words in the original languages of the Bible.
But just recently, two new translations have become even more accommodating to mainstream teachings, and in more subtle ways.
The International Standard Version (ISV) is already available on the web in electronic format and will be on the market in print editions before the end of the year.
Have a look at 1 Timothy 4: 10. Properly translated this verse says
That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe.
Now let's see what the new ISV says
To this end we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, that is, of those who believe.
The meaning of "especially" has been changed to mean "exclusively."
The new NIV (2011 edition) has a subtlety all of its own. It's 1984 version translated Titus 2: 11 as
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
which is pretty close to a literal translation. But have a look at the new edition (the only edition you can now purchase)
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
What was to be 'brought' to all men is now only going to be 'offered' to all men.
Subtle, eh?
It's no wonder we have to spend some time in the strictly literal translations if we're going to properly understand God and his plans.
Blessings, Barry
