THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRANSLATOR AND TEACHER
From Battle Cry Chick Publications, P.O. Box 662, Chino, CA 91708
Picture this: You have the chance to earn a large sum of
money by carefully following a set of instructions. All you
must do is follow them carefully! There is just one
problem: they are written in a language you cannot read.
You need a translator.
You will have to choose between two translators. One is an
old conservative who wants to translate the words as
directly as possible from the first language to yours. It
will be up to you to read the result carefully and follow
it.
The other translator will go one step further: he will
render a translation which describes his best understanding
of how the author wanted you to carry out the instructions.
Written as a paraphrase, it will be easy reading, and easy
to follow. There is just one catch: you will have to trust
that his understanding of how it should be done agrees with
what the author intended, or you will fail and end up with
nothing!
Which translator will you choose? Do you want to know
exactly what the instructions say, or will you trust the
second translator's ability to understand the author's
intent and not lead you astray?
Selecting a Bible version involves the same kind of choice.
There are two basic approaches: formal equivalency and
dynamic equivalency. Bibles translated by formal
equivalency will take careful reading. At times, you will
have to study history to learn the cultural background
before you can fully understand the text.
The translator is simply rendering the text in your
language...nothing more. But you will have the confidence
of knowing that you are not trusting another man's
understanding, or theology, but can make up your mind what
God wants. In the English language, the King James Bible is
the only Bible available that has been translated using this
approach.
On the other hand, Bibles translated by dynamic equivalency
will read as easily as a novel. When a story seems
difficult to understand without a little history, the author
may even change it to a form he believes you will better
understand! You will never know for sure what God said, but
must trust the translator's theology to lead you into truth.
The translator here is acting as a teacher, not just telling
you what God said, but adding his understanding of what God
meant!
Many Christians have developed the vital habit of reading
the Bible text as they listen to a teacher explain it. They
always judge the teaching by the written word. After all,
the teacher is just a man, and can make mistakes. It's
vital to know exactly what God said! But what can you do if
the Bible in your hand doesn't give you God's Word, but a
teacher's explanation of God's intent? Now what can you use
to judge the teaching? You have no authority you can trust.
This is just one of the reasons the King James Bible is the
superior English translation in the world today...formal
equivalency. The translators were determined not to tell
you God's intent, but just convey to you his words!
It is the translator's job to tell you what God said. It is
the teacher's job to tell you how to understand and apply it
to your life. Always insist on a Bible that gives you God's
words, so you have an absolute upon which to judge
everything else.