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-27-
God Hath Spoken
Rationalism and Bible Translations
In recent years, the attack by rationalists upon the integrity of Scripture has been most pronounced in the field of Bible translations. We do not have sufficient space here to deal in depth with the various modern versions. Keep in mind, however that not everybody who sits on a Bible translating committee has a knowledge of God or an understanding of His truth.
Modern translations of the Bible reveal attempts to modernize theology. The Revised Standard Version that appeared in 1952 was the brainchild of the National Council of Churches. It was their own copyrighted version. When they came to Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14, they translated it, "Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
With the stroke of their pen, the translators edited out the miracle of the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. What is unusual about a young woman bearing a son? It's done every day. How could such be a sign to King Ahaz? The purpose of the prophet's message was to give comfort to the king. It meant that until a virgin conceived and bare a son, his kingdom would last. Pekah, king of Israel, would not unite with his confederates, march against Jerusalem, and destroy the family of David. Until such time as this, when something happens that has never happened before—a virgin conceives—his kingdom would last.
In 1961, a new translation appeared. It was called The New English Version. At that time, the Trinitarian Bible Society of London gave this assessment of the version: "The translators Preface to the Authorized Version of 1611, the King James Version, reverently acknowledges the Divine inspiration and authority of the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God, a gift from Heaven. But one seeks in vain for any such testimony in the new version. The preface and the long statement issued by the sponsors at the time of publication are silent on the subject."
The Trinitarian Bible Society goes on to call the New English Bible "...a version so utterly alien to the faith of our Fathers and unacceptable to those who still cherish some respect for the old paths." The fact that it is recommended by some clerics, actors, or businessmen makes no difference: it remains a version "utterly alien to the faith of our Fathers and unacceptable to those who still cherish some respect for the old paths."
The Living Bible translates Isaiah 7:14 as "virgin." This is the paraphrase Dr. Billy Graham so strongly recommends. However, there is a note at the bottom of the page which explains that the word translated "virgin" can mean either "virgin" or "young woman." Thus Kenneth Taylor, the paraphrase, sought to accommodate everybody. If you turn in the Living Bible to I Kings chapter 18, verse 27 where Elijah is mocking the priests of Baal, the prophet is made to say, "You'll have to shout louder than that... to catch the attention of your god! Perhaps he is talking to someone, or is out sitting on the toilet ..." He said no such thing. The Bible reads, "Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing ..."
When Jonathan, Saul's son, defended David at the feast, the king said, "Thou son of the perverse, rebellious woman...," but the Living Bible paraphrases I Samuel chapter 20, verse 30 as Saul saying to his son, "You son of a bitch!" I do not know the convictions of the reader, but I do not allow such crass, vulgar language in my house, and I certainly will not tolerate it in the books I read. Mr. Taylor's paraphrase is fundamentally wrong, and as repugnant as it is inventive.
Reader, it is very important you become familiar with authors, and get acquainted with publishers because some traffic in works that are designed to unsettle the reader's faith. This is no more true than in the recent nefarious versions of the Bible.
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