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Question #42
QUESTION: Aren't modern English translations
easier to understand?
ANSWER: No. Some may seem easier to
read, but none are easier to understand.
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.
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