The Influence of Translation on Bible's Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Infallibility

Question:

How does of translating the Bible influence its inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility?

Answer:

This question delves into several pivotal concepts: biblical inspiration, preservation, and translation.

The doctrine of biblical inspiration underscores that scripture is God-breathed. This means God personally guided authors during their writing to ensure His complete message was conveyed for our benefit. The Bible stands as God's Word, with the authors' personalities and s preserved while mntning a divine direction free from errors or contradictions. The inspiration refers specifically to the creation of the original documents.

After this process, the doctrine of biblical preservation takes over. God took significant measures to safeguard His message from corruptionespecially during Old Testament times when Jewish scribes meticulously copied Hebrew scriptures under strict guidelines that respected the sacred texts' integrity. These rules included the use of specific materials for parchment and ink, column dimensions, and precise , among other meticulous practices. Notably, any writing done without memory or consultation was strictly forbidden to prevent any deviation from God's inted message.

The preservation exts to the discovery of Dead Sea Scrolls which clearly affirm the textual precision found in Isah's writings, among others. The New Testament Greek text echoes a similar level of reliability; with thousands of manuscript copies dating back to nearly AD 117, scholars are able to confirm that our present texts closely align with those original writings.

Now, let's consider of translating the Bible into various languages:

Translation inherently involves an interpretative process. When moving from one language to another, choices must be made regarding whether a more literal rering is preferable despite potentially ambiguous meanings for modern readers, or whether it would be better to capture the text’s essence while allowing for clarity.

For example, Colossians 3:12 in the King James Version KJV uses the Greek word bowels, which literally translates to intestines and stems from a term suggesting spleen. The KJV translators med for literal interpretation here. Conversely, the New American Standard Bible NASB opts for heart of compassion, focusing on emotional understanding while potentially deviating from the original's literal meaning. The Amplified Bible rers it as terhearted pity and mercy, providing a somewhat paraphrased version that captures a broader perspective.

Most translations are collaborative efforts involving teams rather than individual scholars, which helps mitigate personal biases or theological influences on word choices and interpretations. However, this collective process might still be guided by the translators' shared assumptions and theological perspectives.

The KJV is typically viewed as more literal among translations, offering a direct translation that stays close to the source text's original language meaning. The New International Version NIV, on the other hand, employs interpretative work for clarity at times but may sacrifice some of the original text’s precision in favor of accessibility.

Paraphrases like The Message and The Living Bible are not translations per se; they are essentially an individual interpretation or rephrasing of biblical passages. The New Living Translation NLT and Today's English Version also attempt to balance literal accuracy with , ming for a middle ground between word-for-word translations and thought-for-thought interpretations.

Regarding inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility:

of translation cannot confer divine inspiration on the text itself since it is based on interpretation rather than direct revelation. Translation errors or misunderstandings are possible, indicating that while today's translations are superior and reliable, they are not necessarily perfect.

That sd, this does not mean we should disregard them altogether; closer study with guidance from the Holy Spirit can help us understand, interpret, and apply Scripture effectively even as we navigate various translations.

For Further Study:

1. How to Choose a Translation for All Its Worth by Fee Strauss

2. Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

Additional Resources:

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