Question: [I] just want to know why there are many translations of our Bible.
Answer: “The Old Testament was written in Hebrew with a few chapters in Aramaic. And the New Testament was written in Greek. Converting those languages into English or any other language is referred to as a translation. Followers of Christ recognize the credibility of a translation of the Bible as long as it retains the teaching and the meaning found in the original language.
“With the passage of time, words change in meaning. Words continue to slowly fall in and out of use. New translations of the Bible have helped a variety of people to understand more clearly the Bible in their contemporary languages.
“None of these new translations conflict with any doctrinal teaching. The differences between these translations are relatively insignificant. It should also be pointed out that there is a division of philosophy among the different translators.
“1. The literal equivalent translations seek to render (give, express and present) the source language into English as precisely as possible. In this translation the choice of words is meant to reflect the actual words of the source language. These translations include, ‘King James Version (KJV),’ ‘New King James Version (NKJV).’
“2. The dynamic equivalent translations seek to translate the idea rather than the very words of the source language. While these translations are handy, for occasionally illuminating the text [devotions], they often overstep the role of a translation and in reality become an interpretation of the Bible rather than a translation. These translations include, [such as] ‘The New Living Translation,’ and ‘The Message.’
“The New International Version (NIV) falls between these two camps.
“The original manuscripts of the Bible, known as autographs were given by revelation of God. Obviously a translation or a copy is authoritative only to the extent that it accurately reproduces the autographs.
“A typo mistake in a copy of the Bible or an inaccurate translation of a word or a passage cannot be used as proof that the Bible is corrupted. In the same way a scratch in a Mercedes car does not mean the car is no longer a genuine Mercedes.” ( GLAD NEW! God Loves You My Muslim Friend by Samy Tanagho)
This is a summary of what we believe, but if you would like to go into more detail on this subject which I would encourage you to do; you can look at our article Is There Even One Mistake In The Bible ?
Thanks for the good question and God bless you,
Gary T. Panell
For more information email me.
Each translation seems to me based on political ideology rather than the word of God. How can any man have the arrogance to dream of offering his view and saying it the word of God?
Hi Robert, Do you understand that God is protecting His Word? As God of the universe nothing is too hard for Him. His Word the Bible has come down to us today just as it was for those people in those days. And, yes, God uses people to do his work, but He is there all the time by His Holy Spirit protecting everything that is written. People can write false books such as the World Translation, but true Christians are discerning enough to know that this book is from false prophets. I hope this helps. Brother, Gary