Issue 770 – Which Translation – June 9, 2022
I am often asked which Bible translation is “the best.” My answer is very firm, “It depends on many factors.”
I recently visited a website that strongly favours one specific translation of the Bible over any others. There is nothing new or unusual in that, most translations have their fans and their critics. There are, I believe, strengths and weaknesses in each of the translations.
What surprised me about the content of this site was the hate-filled rhetoric towards anyone who held a differing view. Perhaps it shouldn’t have surprised me as believers can get pretty heated on this issue.
Some of the arguments presented on the site had intellectual validity, but the level of anger spewing from the writer’s words stopped me from staying on the website very long. The writer seemed to think that anyone who used a different translation than his favourite was supporting rank heresy and condemned to hell.
If, as a believer, I found the site to be too offensive to stay at, what would a non-believer think? What perception would they have of Christians?
Sometimes the answers to divisive issues, such as which Bible translation to use, get lost for lack of love.
There are many differences in the Christian church. Diversity is one of the church’s greatest strengths and most significant challenges simultaneously. There are many divisive issues to contend with. Some are probably irreconcilable outside of God; some are minor doctrinal issues. Whatever the problems, they need to be handled with love.
For me, if a church adheres to the fundamental tenants of historic Christianity, i.e. the Bible is the truth; Jesus was born of a virgin, led a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected from the dead; salvation is through grace alone, etc., it is a Christian church. If it denies these things, it is not.
There will be differences in doctrine, worship styles and practices, and there will be errors, but not in God. Any errors will be in our human expression of love for Him. That doesn’t mean we abandon the work together to bring people to Christ.
We must decide for ourselves what doctrines or practices we cannot work with, but even then, any differences must be dealt with in love. The world sees enough hatred, and it doesn’t need to see it beaming from those who are called to be the world’s light.
The old adage, hate the sin and love the sinner, applies as much to sinners within the church as it does to sinners outside its walls. That is a good thing because we are justified but still in the process of being sanctified, so we still sin.
We must walk in love, even when we disagree.
For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:11
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
It is easy to love and show love when we all agree. It’s when we disagree that our love is tested, a test that we often fail.
You may have read through all of this and not found my answer to which translation is the best. Let me assure you, “it depends.” What does it depend on? That is a topic for another day.
Until next time, may the Spirit convict us of those people we have chosen not to love and bring us to your knees in repentance. May He open our hearts to love others as He loves us, especially when we disagree.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.
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