Rev. Harlan C. Vanden Einde is pastor of the Oakdale Park Christian Reformed Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Question – This question, from a reader in Idaho, arises in response to an article written by Simon C. Walburg in the January, 1977 issue of THE OUTLOOK. The author there laments the many versions of the Bible that are being produced, and this reader writes: “Why is the Bible written so that it takes theologians to unscramble it, professors to study it, preachers to explain it, teachers to teach it? For out of this comes this continual changing.”
Answer – I share much of what has been expressed by Mr. Walburg in the article to which you refer. There has been, in the last decade or two, a proliferation of versions, paraphrases, and translations of the Bible, not all of which can be justified as being necessary. I too am fearful that the profit motive often looms larger than most authors or publishers would want to admit. And there is no doubt but that there is a good bit of confusion in the minds of many people who go to a bookstore to purchase a Bible.
Your question assumes or implies that it does take “theologians to unscramble . . . professors to study … preachers to explain . . . teachers to teach . . .” the Bible in order for it to be of profit. Let me remind you, however, of one very important principle that was reaffirmed at the time of the Reformation in response to the emphasis of the Church of Rome that an infallible interpretation of Scripture by the church was mandatory for a proper understanding of it. That principle is simply referred to as the “perspicuity of Scripture.” With that principle, the Reformers were not denying that there are mysteries in the Bible which transcend human reason; nor were they saying that we should do away with all sound work of exegesis. But they were contending that the knowledge necessary unto salvation, though not equally clear all every page of Scripture, is conveyed to us throughout the Bible in such a simple and comprehensible form that anyone who is earnestly seeking salvation can, guided by the Holy Spirit, obtain the necessary knowledge by reading and studying the Bible. A separate priesthood to tell us what the Bible means is not necessary (or salvation. Scripture points to itself as being a “lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” (Ps. 119:105).
It should be quite obvious that to confess the perspicuity of Scripture does not mean that we should minimize the importance of diligent study of the Scriptures, or conclude that the preaching of that Word in its truth and application by the church, is insignificant. The basic message of the way of salvation in Jesus Christ is clear in the Bible, but we can use all the help we can get in understanding and applying the will of God for our lives, enabling us to walk in fuller obedience to Him.
As far as the many versions of Scripture on the market today is concerned, my advice is this: be aware of the difference between a paraphrase and a translation. A paraphrased version is !lot an attempt to give an accurate word-by-word translation of the original, but an attempt to restate a text in modem language, concentrating on the general idea of the text. Thus an author who paraphrases gives himself a considerable amount of latitude in interpreting the text. And his interpretation often creeps into the paraphrase itself.
In a translation, there is a serious attempt to be true to the words of the original text, without interpreting them as such. It is not the translator’s purpose to interpret God‘s Word for us, but to give us the word of Scripture in the language that best reflects the original meaning.
So don‘t let yourself be confused by the many different bibles on the market today. If you think you need some modern–language paraphrase, then use it as you would a commentary on the Bible. But keep close at hand some standard, well-recognized and recommended translation, which, in spite of the supposed language barrier, is clear in expressing the Word and will of God for mankind.
