My response to BI181
Introducing Bible Translations
Before
taking this course I never thought how good it could be to use
multiple translations to get a broader picture of God's word. Grew up
reading the King James Version of the bible in the Catholic Church,
and after drifting away and fulling giving my life to the Lord I
began reading the English Standard version. Felt like I would be able
to understand God's word with just that. I was very much mistaken.
Dr. mark Strauss showed us not only the many translations available
to us, but also explained that no translation captures all of the
meaning. As well as all translations capture important aspects. We
all come from different cultural and different languages are spoken,
and can some languages such as Spanish and french and have different
meaning which can be feminine or masculine. As well words don't have
just one meaning or literal meaning. You can take a simple work like
bat and wont know if they are talking about the animal or an object
used in baseball. That is why context is so important. Even though
all translation is interpretation, but the contexts will determine
the meaning of it. Its a two step process of interpreting the text as
well as expressing the meaning. But Dr. Strauss does remind us that
no translation is perfect. Words do get lost in translation and have
to factor that some words do have have a translation in another
language. It is unreliable to translate literally and we should
translate according to context.
I
was shocked to see the the word man/men was removed in a total of six
hundred seventy one times during the gender language section. Would
notice some of it as I read the some Scripture but thought that was
the way it always was especially in the begin of my walk. Now I have
notice that it stick out like a sore thumb and catch my self pausing
when I come across it. I do my best to no pay to much attention and
get passed of all the political correctness of this world has to
offer and just dive into the word of God and study the word for what
it is especially pouncing between the 5 translations I use now have
help me get the bigger picture of it. One thing they may not be
translated in one version I can pick up more context from another and
bring it all together as a whole.
I
am glad Dr. Strauss did point out the fact that translation is not
replacing words, but that is reproducing meaning. I remember when I
was gonna begin to take this course ad seen the title and just
thought how exciting or interesting could this course be. I can admit
I set the bar very low and how I was proven wrong completely and
couldn't get enough of the course once I started. I remember I
started the course late at night and couldn't stop until completed it
and that's exactly what happen. Just seen the that was fifteen
segments in this course there was so much information that came
exploding out of it. Always left you wanting more and how simple Dr.
Strauss was explaining it all and sharing all of his knowledge and
wisdom with us. Just in the past year from taking these courses and
really spending planned time in in my Bible, it has been easier to
see the point of the Author is trying to get across. I know I am far
from a biblical scholar but just being able to translated it better
and as sitting in bible study and comparing with other followers, I
feel a confidence I have never felt before. I can explain what I feel
it means to me and well take others opinions. Siting with my mentors
and Pastors and talking about God's word and the acknowledgment and
feedback they give me fulfilling.
Dr.
Strauss has given us the tools to help us understand the bible on
another level, it is our job now to use those tools to understand his
word and as well being able to share it with others to its fullest.
What good is a God's word with we keep it to ourselves and not share
it with the world, being able to share the grace and mercy of God's
word with others is the best part out of all this. Dr. Strauss put it
best “ continue to read God's word so that yo will continue to grow
in the grace and knowledge of Our Lord Jesus Christ “