Lost in Translation?
Posted by Tomi O on Wednesday, June 05, 2013 with 26 comments
Sweat trickling down the side of my face on a hot afternoon in the confines of my mother's shop, listening to the voice of Andrew Wommack coming through the speakers slapping me with radical revelations of the truth.
Than it hit me - Hard.
The meaning of something he just read from his Bible wasn't the same meaning with the Bible i was holding, and what made the difference was just one word O_o
I asked myself, How much truths have i missed because of the translation i was reading?
What translation should i even be reading? (As i know the Bible wasn't originally written in English)
So, I took my spy kit(always wanted to use that word), armed with Google(ofcourse) and i went researching
"History of the Bible and how we came about the Translations" (Yes, females type sentences on Google search- bite me)
This is what i found (Read here) you should really read that.
I also did a little more digging to see parallel translations and how their meanings differ, before i give the link to that, let me ask a few questions
by show of hands please,
How many of us have heard about the message translation? *Counts raised hands*
How many of us have read the message translation? *Counts raised hands*
How many of us have understood the message translation better than other translations? *Counts raised hands*
Now, How many of us have gone O_O after reading some scriptures in the message translation? *Counts raised hands*
I've read the message alot of times and honestly i did get to understand and get the context of the word better after, however there are just some passages that i go O_o on and makes me uncomfortable but then i relaxed abit because i felt its supposed to be "The Bible" its gotta be right someway somehow. right? (Please, use the comment box if you disagree)
I found this article (Click to view) about the message in my research adventure, while the article centers mostly about the editor and translator of the Message Bible it also highlights other translations and how the meaning of the Bible has been changed with every translation.
Going to give a few examples
Extracts:
"Galatians 3:2–4 (ESV)
Read More here
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" Revelation 22:18-19
This is not an attack on The Message translation, but after i studied and noticed that there are watered down versions of the Bible that keep us from knowing fully and understanding the truths and knowledge of God, i decided to stick to KJV which is the closest to the greek version that was originally written, Many people will say "Its to difficult to understand" but one thing i've learnt is that the Holy Spirit is ALWAYS there to give us wisdom of the truth. ASK
I would conclude with this extract from the first article
"As Christians, we must be very careful to make intelligent and informed decisions about what translations of the Bible we choose to read. On the liberal extreme, we have people who would give us heretical new translations that attempt to change God’s Word to make it politically correct. One example of this, which has made headlines recently is the Today’s New International Version (T.N.I.V.) which seeks to remove all gender-specific references in the Bible whenever possible! Not all new translations are good… and some are very bad"
Would LOVE to hear from you, please use the comment box! Thanks.
Than it hit me - Hard.
The meaning of something he just read from his Bible wasn't the same meaning with the Bible i was holding, and what made the difference was just one word O_o
I asked myself, How much truths have i missed because of the translation i was reading?
What translation should i even be reading? (As i know the Bible wasn't originally written in English)
So, I took my spy kit(always wanted to use that word), armed with Google(ofcourse) and i went researching
"History of the Bible and how we came about the Translations" (Yes, females type sentences on Google search- bite me)
This is what i found (Read here) you should really read that.
I also did a little more digging to see parallel translations and how their meanings differ, before i give the link to that, let me ask a few questions
by show of hands please,
How many of us have heard about the message translation? *Counts raised hands*
How many of us have read the message translation? *Counts raised hands*
How many of us have understood the message translation better than other translations? *Counts raised hands*
Now, How many of us have gone O_O after reading some scriptures in the message translation? *Counts raised hands*
I've read the message alot of times and honestly i did get to understand and get the context of the word better after, however there are just some passages that i go O_o on and makes me uncomfortable but then i relaxed abit because i felt its supposed to be "The Bible" its gotta be right someway somehow. right? (Please, use the comment box if you disagree)
I found this article (Click to view) about the message in my research adventure, while the article centers mostly about the editor and translator of the Message Bible it also highlights other translations and how the meaning of the Bible has been changed with every translation.
Going to give a few examples
Extracts:
"Galatians 3:2–4 (ESV)
2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?
Galatians 3:2–4 (NIV11)
2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain?
Galatians 3:2–4 (The Message)
2 Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God’s Message to you? 3 Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren’t smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? 4 Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up!
Notice that in verse 2, Paul says we received the Spirit by believing in the Gospel. In Peterson’s “translation”, we receive “new life” — not the Spirit —by believing. And for no reason found in the Greek, Peterson removes the Spirit in verse threeRead More here
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" Revelation 22:18-19
This is not an attack on The Message translation, but after i studied and noticed that there are watered down versions of the Bible that keep us from knowing fully and understanding the truths and knowledge of God, i decided to stick to KJV which is the closest to the greek version that was originally written, Many people will say "Its to difficult to understand" but one thing i've learnt is that the Holy Spirit is ALWAYS there to give us wisdom of the truth. ASK
I would conclude with this extract from the first article
"As Christians, we must be very careful to make intelligent and informed decisions about what translations of the Bible we choose to read. On the liberal extreme, we have people who would give us heretical new translations that attempt to change God’s Word to make it politically correct. One example of this, which has made headlines recently is the Today’s New International Version (T.N.I.V.) which seeks to remove all gender-specific references in the Bible whenever possible! Not all new translations are good… and some are very bad"
Would LOVE to hear from you, please use the comment box! Thanks.
Oh I don't know. I just knew you were going to start with the message translation and I actually winced when I saw that verse from Revelations in red. I use the NLT translation and I have compared it with the KJV. They are pretty much the same and in places where old english is used, it is swiftly replaced by words in today's english. I'm very careful when it comes to translations and arguments about them because like most things in our faith it is sensitive. Since the KJV is the closest to the Greek and Hebrew translations, it's best to compare a translation one intends to buy TO the Kjv. If the differences are GLARING then it's best to look for another option. I'm not going to name one translation as supreme. That's left to individual conscience after comparing intended translations with the KJV since KJV is closest to original language the bible was written in.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, its a very sensitive subject and i try to avoid it too, but because i seen on twitter the people that are MSG "followers" and try to argue with you that its the ideal version. thats why i felt the need to talk about this. Thanks for stopping by. this is your first comment on my blog yeah? *pops coffee*
DeleteI don't have MSG translation, and I've never read it, but I have heard it quoted during some services in some churches, and I have never felt comfortable with what I always hear. It's just too much of man-liken stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad there are still people out there not going with the "flow" of things. All you need is to hear is being quoted and if you feel comfortable with that? i think there is something wrong somewhere.
DeleteHey tommie, I'm probably d last person dat should be voicing an opinion here but then I just feel like I should (and I apologize for d length)
ReplyDeleteThe Message translation (from my lil understanding and in my own perception) is an attempt by someone to explain the Word to a minute proportion of people.
The analogy I'd like to give is of white men trying to share the good news with barely literate slaves back in the dark days. To the intended audience, the Message translation passes across 'a message' and it doesn't - IMO - take anyfin away from d truth of d word.
Eventually, after taking in the "watered-down" version of the Word, a hunger grows within you to know more.
I'd wrap up with what I've learnt from my various pastors: sunday services are for all and sundry but the "bible-study" services are for those who've stepped up from taking milk to taking solid food.
Like i said to you yesterday, when the person that wrote the MSG translated it, his point was to draw attention to the word because he felt it was "boring". (if you read the article you would understand) which IMO is NOT the idea if the WORD, anyone that feels he needs to add catchy phrases or change the meaning of the Bible just to get an audience.... Because the WORD is WORD by itself and can NEVER be boring.
DeleteI agree his intentions were good but then, very very wrong approach.
I've heard about The Message translation, but I'm not familiar with it..I've never read it, but I've seen it being quoted a few times and those few times I can't help but wonder why it sounds so diluted to me.
ReplyDeleteOh well... I stick to one translation of the Bible. Good enough for me.
Exactly, Totally agree. Stick to what we know. No diluted versions please. :)
DeleteNot a big fan of the Message translation :/ I remember the first time I heard someone read from it (during a study group) and I genuinely did a double take. Idon't buy the argument that it's meant to appeal to the modern reader. Whatever happened to maintaining our level of literacy? It doesn't get more straightforward than NIV. Next they'll be coming up with Facebook/text speech translations!
ReplyDeleteLol. I know right. I so don't agree to the changing the word to appeal to the modern reader. What happened to John 1:1? sigh!
DeleteThanks for stopping by again.
Sometimes I read other translations of the bible but only when I'm trying to get a better understanding of a verse or chapter I read but anytime, anyday, I still stick to my KJV. A lot of people find it hard to understand KJV that's why they read other versions. Well, we have to be careful as you have said. God will help us all
ReplyDeleteAmen oh. i also read other translations to get understanding but mostly i stick to KJV. Thanks dear
DeleteVery expository.Personally,I stick to very few translations of the bible and I know that whatever version one reads,the help of the Holy Spirit is needed to give revelationa and understanding.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree, we cant down play the part of the Holy spirit in all of this. Thanks for stopping by
DeletePeople say KJV is "old-school," but I still prefer to use it. I love the fact that every time I read from KJV I'm exposed to new things specifically because of the old English (definitely the Holy Spirit). Newer versions always seem like "that familiar story."
ReplyDeleteI totally understand what you mean. Thanks for stopping by
Deleteplease God bless you.. The Lord gave me a verse of scripture on early morning while I was in a bit of a fix.. Psalm 110:7 .. I have a couple of bibles but fortunately the one closest to me was CEV..
ReplyDeleteHe will drink from any stream that he chooses,while winning victory after victory.[a] -
IT MINISTERED TO MY PARTICULAR NEED... Afterwards I decided to check it in the Message PARAPHRASE and ...
Let me copy and paste the last few verses
God gave his word and he won’t take it back:
you’re the permanent priest, the Melchizedek priest.
The Lord stands true at your side,
crushing kings in his terrible wrath,
Bringing judgment on the nations,
handing out convictions wholesale,
crushing opposition across the wide earth.
The King-Maker put his King on the throne;
the True King rules with head held high!
There is no mention of stream and co...
Its so sad how its all just watered down. but to what end? sigh. Thanks for stopping by!
Deletehmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmn...wow!!! so true
ReplyDeletei remember reading an extract in WOrd for today and i was like O_o?...is that actually in my bible? how come it sounds so different and sort of...i dunno..somehow to the hearing..bfr i used to think translation is translation...nothing to shout abt bt wen i wanted to start using simpler versions eg NCV to do bible study...oh boy, i didnt flow and i found it hard to memorise scriptures or get the spirit's translation of some verses compared to NKJV or KJV itself
this your post Lost in translation is on point dearie...im happy fr ur growth
I also used to think translation is translation, but when you read you realize that its really important. Im grateful to God for the Growth and trust. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteReading all the comments here, I may sound like the dark horse in the room but I really like the MSG translation. I can remember the first time I got hold of it, I could not just stop reading it. I grew up with RSV and learnt all my memory verses with it (Head Knowledge). I was so excited the day I first came in contact with Easy to Read Version because it through it that the I really understood the book of Romans and the concept of Faith and Works (Revelation Knowledge).
ReplyDeleteMy point is that, although these modern English translations like MSG, Bible in Basic English and Easy to Read (those are the 3 that I have used at one point in time)may not actually state a verse as accurtely as KJV and RSV, they clearly explain BASIC principles and concepts(of course by the inspiration of the Spirit) which may not be easily seen and understood in KJV and RSV.
LOL. Its okay to disagree, dont worry.
DeleteAs much as they are easy to read and understand(no doubt) but those BASIC principles some of them are missing and that is my point, how do we draw the line for those simple truth that get lost in translation in the bit to make the word become easy to read when we clearly have the holy spirit that is suppose to translate the word to suit our every need?
Regardless of the translation we're reading.. I think what really matters,is our faith and belive in the word. And the only place we alwys wana talk abt translation n meaning is probably when we wana justify our action n we're looking 4a back in the bible.. E.g "Don't drink alcohol" and "Drink,but don't get drunk" and "Jesus turned water into wine" etc
ReplyDeleteTrust me, Translation matters as much as our faith matters, the way some translations twist the word, you will just be shocked when you figure it out. i will ask that you search deeper.
DeleteI love the message translation, no apologies...the conventional christian would balk at the perceived 'diluted' wording and approach to reach modern readers...but consider the basics, does it take away from the good news that Jesus is the son of God, died for our sins and we've been redeemed through him?
ReplyDeleteIf this is the version a 21st century person can read, understand and can potentially lead them to Christ, then I hope more people come in contact with it! For a soul that seeks a deeper revelation of the Word and feels the Message is too 'diluted', go for the conventional translations...that to me has always been the beauty of Christianity: same faith/belief but diverse ways to worship, so nobody has any excuse...
To each his own!
Yes. To each his own.
Delete