those who use the Revised Version in public ministry do not present it as freely and as effectively as those who use the King James Version. I t P resents G od ’ s T houghts As we compare versions, we note that the King James presents the thoughts in the original more direct ly and clearly than many of the other versions. God has carefully guarded His truth so that man can not easily pervert it. All of the pas sages pertaining to salvation, for giveness of sin, and the gift of eternal life, have remained prac tically unchanged through the cen turies in the King James Version and almost fully so in all the re visions. We note that when unbe lieving religious leaders revise the Scriptures, they usually attack the deity of Christ and the certainty of eternal punishment. The King James Version retains these doctrines in all their clearness and certainty. I t H olds to the S ubject The King James Version has been so efficiently handled that every doctrine is clearly set forth as it was given in the early translations and no important change of any kind has been made. If you compare it with other versions, you will find this to be true. The translators who have produced some of the modern revisions have been more skillful in transposing the words than in illuminating the thoughts. Those who worked on these revisions evi dently felt that they must do some thing to change the text, and, since they could not change the meaning of the passage, they spent their time in the rearrangement of the words and sentences. I t B rings G od ’ s M essage There is no doubt but that most of the modern versions such as Mof- fatt, Goodspeed, Weymouth, Twen tieth Century, Moulton, and others, may be considered more or less as interpretations rather than transla tions. The thought of the passage, rather than its original words, is given. Some of these versions are most interesting to read, but one may well question whether God’s words are presented in every case. I f we would know God’s thoughts, then we must read His words. Man’s words present man’s thoughts. We believe that the King James Version pre sents God’s thoughts in the clearest manner. Someone has said, "The quickest way to get on your feet is to get on your knees.” To this may be added that the best way to stay on our feet is to stay on our knees.
August 17, 1947 HOW PRESENT-DAY BIBLE TRANSLATIONS HELP I P et . 1:24,25 ; 2 T im . 3:16,17
A S Spirit-led minds consider the Word of God, we are blessed by receiving their thoughts. Great men are not always wise, neither do god ly men always present God’s truth. It is necessary in each case to use all of the translations when possible, and see if the thoughts presented fit x f x r y f x r y r x f y f y f y f x f x f x t x r x f y f ITS AN IDEA Rev. Carlton C. Buck 3
I nterpretations A re a H elp Some modern revisions are an tagonistic to the truth which be lievers hold dear. They cast a doubt upon the deity of Christ, the cer tainty of eternal punishment, the need of the new birth, and are saturated with modernistic, social service ideas instead of the teaching of the need for regeneration. Some versions present these errors so clearly that no one need be de ceived. However, some versions give helpful thoughts. The reader must always be alert to compare the statements with the King James Ver sion, which is available, and with the older writings, in order that his thinking may continue along the orthodox lines which are pleasing to God. The same truth may be presented in many forms, and as we read various versions, we are en lightened and instructed. T ranslations R eveal M en ’ s H earts Before reading any translation, we should learn who produced it, and determine whether he was a lover of our Lord Jesus, a believer in the verbal inspiration of the Word, and a worshiper of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Every book reveals the mind that formulated it. Thus we can tell whether the author was de voted to Christ or just a religious theologian. He will present what is in his mind, and sometimes this does not agree fully with God’3 mind, as revealed in the King James Version. We should note the effect of certain versions upon our own hearts and souls. We should analyze our feelings as we read and see if the message leaves us cold and dead in philosophy, or stirs a flame of love within our hearts for our Lord. T he N ew V ersions S hould B e A nalyzed Some of the newer translations should be particularly noted, the most recent of which is The Revised Standard Version of the New Testa? ment. This version has many accept able features and some that are not. One is not convinced as he reads it that the deity of Christ has been up held. My own impression is that it has been s t r ong l y questioned throughout the Gospels. It should be noted that the word begotten is omitted from John 3:16 and 18. Cer tainly the word begotten is in the original manuscripts. A billion and a half souls have never heard of Christ’s finished, work on Calvary’s cross.
Idea 1. Plan a Bible exhib it in connection with the August 3 topic. Assemble as many versions and transla tions as possible. Bibles in various languages should also be a part of the exhibit. Idea 2. In order to bring out the beauty of the King James Version, have the best reader in your church read some of its matchless pas sages for your devotional period on August 10. There are many of these, but the following are suggested: Psalms 8, 23, 103, the Para ble of the Prodigal Son, the story of the Samaritan wom an at the well, and the de scription of the New Jerusa lem in Revelation 21. Idea 3. In preparation for the August 17 topic, question your pastor and some of your Bible school teachers about their use of present- day Bible translations in their studies. Their answers will be helpful in the lesson presentation. Idea 4. For tracts on the general theme of Keeping the Lord’s Day, you may write to the California Lord’s Day Alliance, 629 North Ard more Avenue, Los Angeles 4, California. You will receive a free packet which will be of help in the development of the August 24 topic.
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in properly with all Bible teaching on the subject. The Spirit does not contradict Himself. If a translator conveys thoughts that are contra dictory to other parts of the Word of God, we may know that he is in error in his interpretation. We should read with a discerning spirit and compare Scripture with Scrip ture.
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