Pastor in the Hat Podcast
Fearlessly tackling tough questions about faith from a progressive Christian perspective. This production of First Presbyterian Church Concord, CA We dive deep into the doubts and uncertainties that many listeners face, offering thoughtful insights to help navigate the complexities of each one’s own spiritual journey. Hosted by Darryl McCollum Commissioned Pastor, PCUSA and author of “In All Things Grace”.
Pastor in the Hat Podcast
Exploring Bible Translations: A Journey with Pastor in the Hat
Have you ever wondered how different Bible translations might change your understanding of scripture? Join me, Pastor Darryl McCollum, on this enlightening episode of the Pastor in the Hat podcast, where we promise to unravel the intricate world of Bible translations. We’ll journey through the myriad versions of the Bible, from word-for-word translations like the King James Version to thought-for-thought translations like the New International Version and even the highly paraphrased styles of The Message. We’ll examine how historical contexts, theological biases, and ancient manuscripts such as Codex Vaticanus and the Dead Sea Scrolls have shaped these translations along the way.
Curiosity is the key to deepening our connection with divine teachings. By exploring multiple translations and perspectives, we gain more precise insights into God's word and enhance our ability to connect with each other. Engage with varied interpretations and discover how differences in translations can foster peace and harmony within our communities. I'll also recommend some valuable study Bibles, like the New Oxford New Revised Standard Version, to navigate these complexities. Whether you’re a seasoned scholar or just beginning your spiritual journey, this episode promises to bring clarity, spark curiosity, and maybe even bring a smile to your face. Be blessed, stay safe, and let's embark on this journey of discovery together.
The Pastor in the Hat Podcast is a production of First Presbyterian Church Concord, CA
Welcome to today's episode of the Pastor in the Hat podcast, brought to you by First Presbyterian Church of Concord, california. We believe that in Christ, we are one family imperfect, messy and beautiful and we invite you to find your place here. I'm your host, darrell McCollum, aka Pastor in the Hat, and today we're going to tackle a question that every pastor gets at least several times a year why are there so many versions of scripture and which one is the best? Spoiler alert? It's not just to make Sunday school confusing. So the Bible, a book that millions and billions of people worldwide hold dear, comes in a surprising number of flavors. But why? Well, let's break it down into three main types of translations. There's a word-for-word, thought-for-thought and highly paraphrased. Now the word-for-word translations are like those super literal, nerdy friends who never understand your jokes. These translations stay as close to the original Hebrew, aramaic and Greek texts as possible. Now, the King James Version and the New Revised Standard Edition are big names here. They stick to the original wording fairly closely, which is great for accuracy. But sometimes it reads like a manual for assembling an ancient chariot, dense and hard to follow.
Speaker 1:And next up, we've got the thought for thought translations. These translations take a little more creative freedom. They aim to capture the meaning behind the original words. Think of it like a translator who says I get what you're trying to say, and then they put it in a way that's easier to understand. Now, the NIV or the New International Version is a very popular example of this style of translation. It's like that friend who paraphrases what you said but keeps the main point Helpful, right. Okay.
Speaker 1:So next we've got the highly paraphrased translations. These go even further, sometimes rephrasing entire passages to make them super relatable. I'm thinking of the Message by Eugene Peterson. It's like that friend who tells Bible stories as if they're just gossip from the coffee shop. You know they're engaging, modern, but they might be missing some of the finer theological points. And then there are some revisions that try to fill in perceived gaps and teach a specific theology, such as the Passion Translation. Now, both of these, and any translation, for that matter, that is developed by an individual and not a council of people should be tested side by side with more traditional translations to ensure that you're catching all of the nuances in the text. But here's the kicker, and you knew there had to be one right.
Speaker 1:Every translation involves some interpretation, meaning that we're going to look at the words and have them relate to the way we understand the text. To be example, some translators might lean more towards emphasizing the patriarchy. You know, that classic man in charge vibe, you know. Others might focus more on Christology, which is just a fancy way of saying who is Jesus? Was he more divine, more human? Both. And where can we find Jesus? In the Old Testament, throughout the Hebrew Bible, because Jesus has to appear everywhere for people that have a high level of Christology in their theology.
Speaker 1:Some translations use more inclusive gender-affirming language, replacing mankind, for example, with humanity, or brothers and sisters with you know, instead of just brothers. There's all kinds of different instances of this. The ESV was created by a more conservative group of translators, intentionally keeping the older usage of phraseology to affirm their more conservative views on gender right and gender roles. Going into this knowing, if you're looking at that version of scripture, there is a bias towards a less gender affirming tradition. Then there's the King James version, where monarchy ruled Literally. Any references in scripture that put monarchy in a bad light were adjusted to ensure that those were softened or changed. That way, king James didn't look like a bad guy right Now. This translation loved to sprinkle in royal imagery to reflect certain theological ideas like kingship and authority. It's like the difference between calling someone a leader and calling them your majesty.
Speaker 1:Now see, all of these things can affect how we understand vital passages within scripture, and that's why having a good study Bible can be a lifesaver. It's like having a helpful tour guide for all those confusing bits. You see, study Bibles often come with handy footnotes, maps and explanations that make sense of it all. It's like a Bible for people who don't already know everything, like me. My study Bible favorite is the new Oxford New, revised, standard version, updated edition, and this is a very dense Bible with lots of good stuff in it, so I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a great study Bible.
Speaker 1:Now we need to talk about the ancient manuscripts that underpin these translations, with fancy names like Codex Vaticanus for the Vatican and Codex Sinaiticus for the Sinai Desert. And these might sound like fancy Italian restaurants in some you know faraway place, but no, they're some of our oldest and most complete Bible manuscripts. These, along with Codex Alexandrinus, are like the vintage vinyl records of biblical texts. They give us a great sense of what the original songs sounded like scratches and all Because, remember, these were all handwritten, so there were variations just in the textual distribution throughout the years. So good stuff, but we have to take it with a grain of salt, because different translations are apt to use different manuscripts based on what they want to say. It's like choosing the version of a classic song to play.
Speaker 1:Do you do the 1970s original or the 1990s remaster? You know, you see, when the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, they added a whole bunch of bonus tracks that weren't available to us before. It gave translators much more to work with. Now, many Dead Sea Scrolls and the other find in the 1940s, the Nag Hammadri texts which were found in Egypt, both discovered, like I said, in the 40s, were a bit like a behind-the-scenes look at early Christianity, because they rarely directly influenced most Bibles, but they give us a better picture of that ancient era's diversity of beliefs, their lifestyles and their storytelling, which really could put, you know, all of our translations into a different light. These discoveries have led to new translations and updates to existing ones, ensuring that we're getting as close as possible to what the original authors might have intended. It's like fine-tuning a recipe that you love forever, right If you find out that that secret ingredient from down the road is actually cinnamon. You put it in your stuff from then on, right Now.
Speaker 1:These textual finds were just the tip of the iceberg. You see, advancements in anthropology, archaeology, linguistics have all increased our biblical knowledge. These fields are sort of like a CSI team going into a crime scene, but only with ancient texts. They help us understand the culture, the people and even the way the words were used thousands of years ago. Linguistic advancements have enabled us to decode ancient languages better. It's like finding the Rosetta Stone back in the day for the hieroglyphics in Egypt.
Speaker 1:Language use has changed just in my lifetime. For example, when I might have said something is bad, it's really really bad. A Gen Alpha kid today would say that's skibbity toilet. You heard me right Skibbity toilet. Now, that's an extreme example. But consider the usage of just the word bad in the last 50 years. At one point it meant bad, then it meant good, then it meant cool, then it meant awesome and then it went back to being bad again. Then Michael Jackson wrote a song about being bad, and who knows right? This is just one example. Now imagine how much linguistics and language has changed over millennia To keep up. Translators are continuously meeting to update to more current English usage of words so that we can understand the text better.
Speaker 1:Now, to wrap up, having multiple biblical translations isn't just about making things complicated. I know it looks like it, but that's not it. It's about giving us different ways to explore these ancient texts. It's kind of like having different pairs of glasses to see the world through. Some people like the super sharp focus of a word-for-word translations, while others prefer the more relaxed vibe of a paraphrase.
Speaker 1:The key is to stay curious, keep digging and use the tools available to get the most out of your reading, because you see, the more we read about God, the better we understand God, the better we understand God. God, the better we understand God, the better we understand each other, and the better we understand each other, the better we can come to peace with each other. So remember, stay curious, read those things, guys. Thanks for joining me today on the Pastor in a Hat podcast. I hope this episode has helped you navigate the world of biblical translations a little bit, giving you a little more clarity and maybe even a smile. And until next time, keep asking good questions and explore multiple texts that shape our world. Be blessed. Stay safe and keep well.
