specific tribe, culture and habitat where the people live. Although it’s difficult to learn these languages when you have them down, the way they say things can really grip your heart. I think of the word for “glorify” in one of the In dian dialects. This shows Jesus Christ all lighted up, as though He were covered with a spotlight. All of the attention is properly focused on Him. Another Indian language is unique in their word for “believe.” What they use not only means to accept what a person says as true, but to accept the person as he is and for all for which he stands. A tremen dous word in relation to our Saviour for it also suggests being committed to the person in whom one believes. It’s sometimes translated “believe- obey.” Both ideas are in the one word.
scriptive phrases that aren’t signifi cant. Jesus Christ is One who will rightly claim the devotion of men from all over the world. Because God has given us the gift of language its purpose is to use it for His glory. I attended the first meeting of Unesco in Mexico City. Looking down from the gallery I saw as sembled on the floor of that great auditorium representatives of all the nations of the world who belonged to the United Nations. Placards on their desks indicated the countries from which they came. In many cases one could tell what part of the world they came from by their man ner of dress. The convention used four official languages. Listening de vices were available so that you could tune in to hear the various interpretations. It wasn’t possible to predict what language some of them would speak until they got up to speak. Languages have their own flavor which makes them different. Each one is unique in the manner of ex pression. On the other hand it’s also true that there are a number of areas where there are similarities in lan guages. This is why the Bible can and should be translated into each one. These will correspond to the
Since every language has its own power to express God’s truth I be lieve on that day spoken of in Rev elation, it will take the combined re sources that every language can con tribute to approximate and describe adequately the glory of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Can you picture it? Language after language with its people coming in with the praises of God. Dr. Cowan is President of the Wycliffe Bible Translators, Inc., in Santa Ana, Cali fornia and this month’s special Biola Hour guest speaker.
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