Medieval pastor John Wycliffe
continues to cause a stir among churches—even in the 21st century—as his
Bible translation ideas upset Christian leaders once again.
In the 14th century Wycliffe used indigenous language to convey Scripture. He angered church leaders with radical moves like replacing the Latin Deus with the English God.
Today’s Bible translators
follow in his footsteps, using alternative terms for the Trinity and
heavenly beings to reach new audiences—and they’re encountering the same
resistance Wycliffe did.
The most recent controversies surround an artistic retelling of the New Testament by Thomas Nelson, The Voice,
and an Arabic Scripture linked to Wycliffe Bible Translators and Summer
Institute of Linguistics (SIL). The two separate initiatives use
different words to convey Scripture to their audiences.
Written in a screenplay format, Thomas Nelson’s version uses the Voice instead of the Word; sometimes Eternal One when it refers to God; and messenger of the Lord insteadof angel. Meanwhile, the Arabic text uses Allah instead of Father and Messiah in place of Son of God, to connect with readers in Muslim cultures.
Fierce
opposition has come from the Assemblies of God USA and Presbyterian
Church in America. The Presbyterian Church has condemned removing
references to God as Father or Jesus as Son.
“Our
colleagues in SIL are taking a brave step in suspending the publication
of Scripture in parts of the world where controversy has been stirred
up,” says Eddie Arthur, executive director of Wycliffe Bible
Translators, noting that the headline-making translations are a “tiny
fraction” of Wycliffe’s 1,400-plus programs. “We look forward to the
outcome of their period of global consultation.”
In
the meantime, scholars from both sides of the Atlantic have expressed
concern about these controversies. They’re challenging Christians to
grasp the issues and consider the challenges facing translation teams.
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