QUESTION #42

The Answer Book ^ | 1989 | Dr. Samuel C Gipp, Th.D

[Commander8]

QUESTION: Aren't modern translations easier to understand?

ANSWER: No. Some may seem easier to READ, but none are easier to UNDERSTAND.

[Commander8]

SEE ALSO:
http://www.chick.com/information/bibleversions/articles/linguist.asp
and
http://www.chick.com/bc/2001/cantbelieveit.asp

[LiteKeeper]

The word "understand" is a very subjective word...and varies from one individual to the next. How can anyone say that the KJV is easier to understand...particularly with the Elizabethan theatrical language that it is written in? This claim, as most of the others, is just plain nonsense.

[LiteKeeper]

EXPLANATION: One of the primary advertising gimmicks used to sell modern English translations is that they will be easier to understand for the potential customers. The customer, having been assured that he/she cannot possibly understand the "old archaic" King James gratefully purchases the modern English Bible and unknowingly condemns themself to a life of biblical ignorance. Modern English translations may be easier to read but they are not easier to understand.
Let's look at the equation in simple terms. If the "archaic" language and the "thee's" and "thou's" of the King James Bible really do hamper the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit in communicating His message to the Christians, then several things should be true of one or all of the raft of modern English translations on the Bible market today.
1. If modern English translations, such as the New American Standard Version, New International Version, New King James Version, and Today's English Version were easier to understand, then the Holy Spirit's message to the Christian would flow freer and accomplish greater spiritual victories in the lives of God's people on an individual basis. Yet it is sadly evident that this is not happening.
In fact it is only too evident to any objective observer that today's Christians are more worldly and less dedicated to Jesus Christ than their nineteenth or even early twentieth century counterparts who were raised on and read the King James Bible. Surely a Bible that was "easier to understand" would have dramatically increased successes in battling sin, worldliness and carnality, but this JUST HAS NOT HAPPENED.
2. Secondly, if the modern English translations were really easier to understand then I believe God would show a little more gratitude for them by using at least one to spark a major revival in this nation.
It is elementary to see that if the "old archaic" King James Bible has been hampering the desired work of the Holy Spirit, then God should be eager to bless the use of any translation that would be easier for His people to understand.
Again, it is all too obvious that no mass spiritual awakening of any kind has been initiated by any one of today's modern translations. Today's modern translations haven't been able to spark a revival in a Christian school, let alone expected to close a bar.
In fact, since the arrival of our modern English translations, beginning with the ASV of 1901, America has seen:
1. God and prayer kicked out of our public school
2. Abortion on demand legalized
3. Homosexuality accepted nationally as an "alternate life style"
4, In home pornography via TV and VCR
5. Child kidnapping and pornography running rampant
6. Dope has become an epidemic
7. Satanisrn is on the rise
If this is considered a "revival" then let's turn back to the King James to STOP it.
In fact, the ONLY scale used to claim success for a new translation is how well it sells. This depraved Madison Avenue sales system should set alarms ringing in the Christian. Instead, deluded by television, they dutifully nod and remark that, "It must be good, everybody's buying one."
Is there any "good" coming from modern translations? Surely. The publishing companies are making millions.
Today American Christians are spiritually anemic. They turn instead to their favorite "Bible psychologist" for help rather than Scripture. America as a whole is as morally decayed as Sodom and Gomorrah. (Ezekiel 16:49).
Where is the spiritual help and hope that an "easier to understand" translation should bring'?
Instead, perhaps we are in this desperate condition because of those very translations.

[LiteKeeper]

The reasoning in this explanation is subjective, infantile, and absurd. How can you continue to post this stuff?

[jboot]

42 chapters down, only 20 to go before we finish this specious little book.

[LiteKeeper]

At his rate of two a day, weekends excluded, that's another two weeks of this nonsense. Amazing.

My hope is that noone reads these who is really on the fence. It all sounds reasonable, but it is, for the most part, garbage!

[CalvaryJohn]

James White has a radio debate with Gail Riplinger on his website. The show is called The Dividing Line, and Mr. White is a fine reformed theologian. He gives a more than adequate response to New Age Bible Versions.

[jboot]

It dissapoints me that Mr. Chick has gotten himself all tied up in this silly "inspired translation" nonsense. I fondly recall his hyperbolic "hellfire-and-brimstone" tracts from my childhood.

I only wish that he would put forth this kind of effort against real heresy in the church.

[LiteKeeper]

agreed. One of the biggest scandals to me is how we are failing to teach a Biblical Christian Worldview to our youth. I teach a Bible class at the Air Force Academy Prep School. The main topic is just that, with a healthy dose of creation vs evolution, apologetics, and Church HIstory (esp American Church history). I am absolutely amazed at the number of Christian kids that come up to me and tell me they have never heard any of this before. And esoecially those that have attended Christian schools most of their lives!

Check out the Nehemiah Institute for some hair raising stories. (BTW - they may be off the met momentarily. But try again later.)

[jboot]

You're right, they're down. Here's the link for future reference: http://www.nehemiahinstitute.com/

It's not just Christian kids, unfortunately. Many Christian adults in our church and community have only the vaguest notion of Christian doctrine, much less apologetics. We recently led the congregation through Chuck Colson's excellent "How Now Shall We Live" introduction to the Christian worldview. I was astonished at both the dropout rate and the number of folks who came up to us after class and expressed either similar sentiments to your students, or outright discomfort with the material. These are not dumb people, but they have been so effectively evangelized by secular society that they can't recognize truth on contact.

[LiteKeeper]

Again I agree. In fact that is the passion of my life right now - God's people don't know God's thoughts. Another excellent book is Understanding the Times by David Noebel. A good introduction to that book is one written by Dr Noebel with Tim LaHaye, called Mind Siege. There is a video tape and workbook available separately. I am currently teaching that one in an adult Sunday School class.

[jboot]

What a fine passion! There is no better way to get God's thoughts into peoples heads than by exposing them to the Word (be it the KJV or a reputable contemporary translation). This is our current focus, because it is obvious that many in the body of Christ are scripturally illiterate, at least in our church.

[newgeezer]

Biblical Christian Worldview

You might enjoy the four-week series of sermons called "Biblical Worldview" we had in January; the topics were Creation, Man, The Fall, and Redemption.

Links to the audio (RealAudio and MP3) files are here.

_______________

As for all this "KJV-only" stuff, it's just so much nonsense. I expect them to say something like, "If it was good enough for the Apostle Paul, it's good enough for me!" ;-)

Until I find the "perfect" translation, I'm content to consult a few of them when necessary, and exercise my faith in discernment and discussions with my brothers. Iron sharpens iron.

[biblewonk]

ANSWER: No. Some may seem easier to READ, but none are easier to UNDERSTAND.

You're right ofcourse. I don't speak spanish and I have a hard time reading it but I have no trouble understanding it while reading it.