Does Having Different Bible Translations Weaken The Church?

Does Having Different Bible Translations

Weaken The Church?

Dear John:
It's my opinion that all the different Bible versions our people are using weakens the church. Am I wrong to think thusly?
-Jasper

Dear Jasper:
In my experience and judgment, it is not the availability of different versions that is weakening the church, it is the failure to seriously read and understand any version. Granted there are some poor and valueless translations that should be avoided, but the various standard translations tend to help us in understanding the Scripture.

In my own studies I always make a point of reading the chapter I will be teaching or the verses on which I plan to speak in several different translations to see if there might be some light shed by one that the others missed. When I teach a class (always, a textual study of the Bible), and have to explain a difficult passage I call on those with other translations to read from them. I find that the proper meaning almost always surfaces in some other translation. Thus I make them my helper rather than treat them as a distraction.

Much that is said and written condemning new translations and versions come from men who have no knowledge of the original text or how translations are done. Rather than a scholarly, meaningful refutation of a flawed translation, it is a complaint about something new with which they are unfamiliar. They are defending their old familiar translation against one they are not familiar with. In some cases the newer translation may actually be a better rendering of God's truth.

Every translation when first introduced has thus been attacked, including the King James, and the American Standard Version. I encourage you to use the various translations just as you do commentaries. They can greatly benefit your studies.

Sincerely,

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