Why I’m Committed to Accurate Translations
Denny Burk, Associate Professor of New Testament and dean of Boyce College, recently posted some discussions from fellow bloggers about the pressure evangelical scholars feel from their secular academic counterparts (and sometimes their fellow evangelicals) to lessen their commitment to the Bible in the context of their academic work. I appreciate this discussion because I feel it, too. It is all too easy to fall into the trap of tweaking our views on the Bible in order to find acceptance in the guild.
Denny Burk, Associate Professor of New Testament and dean of Boyce College, recently posted some discussions from fellow bloggers about the pressure evangelical scholars feel from their secular academic counterparts (and sometimes their fellow evangelicals) to lessen their commitment to the Bible in the context of their academic work. I appreciate this discussion because I feel it, too. It is all too easy to fall into the trap of tweaking our views on the Bible in order to find acceptance in the guild.
The solution for the evangelical scholar, of course, is to remain firm in our convictions about the Bible. It is God’s word, and as such it is true and imminently valuable. Why would we exchange this priceless treasure for anything less? That is why the work of translation is important. We are handling something precious, something that God has used to bring life to many and to build his Church. As evangelicals we must remain true to our historical convictions about the truth of the Bible, and a very important corollary is that we must continue the work of translation so that Bible is available to all in a form that can be readily understood.
4 Comments
SCSaunders
Excellent Post!
Excellent post Dr. Burer. Conviction. Clarity. Christian.
ekerwin
COMMITMENT TO ACCURATE TRANSLATIONS
I applaud your commitment to accurate translations. How much they are needed.
1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:14,15 and 2 Peter 3:14-18
These are some passages of Scripture that came to mind as I read about your commitment to accurate translations. The Scriptures above are not about translation per se but emphasize the fact that this is not just an ordinary book it is the Word of God and we exhorted to handle it as such. A translation that is God honoring, accurate, and clearly understandable will minimize the wrangling and twisting of the Scriptures.
Barry Applewhite
Keep it accurate!
Thank you, Dr. Burer, for your commitment to keep Bible translations accurate. After all, if the translation isn't accurate, then interpretation is hopeless apart from an outright miracle by the Holy Spirit.
Some who are compromising to keep their good standing in "the guild" may find their standing in the assembly of the righteous is not what they expected.
I appreciate Dallas Seminary, Bible.org and you for standing on the Word!
-Barry
Jim Hamilton
thanks!
Enjoyed this post, Mike, thanks!
May the Word run free and strong among us,
Jim