For some, historical and linguistic inconsistencies in scripture can be a trial of faith, but learning about the nature of scripture translation can transform these encounters into faith-building experiences.
“The devil is in the details”—a more sinister twist on the phrase “God is in the details”—means that a seemingly simple task has hidden complications that need to be worked out. When historical, linguistic, scientific, or other inaccuracies in scriptural translations sow doubt in the mind of a would-be believer, some may feel inclined to agree that the devil is indeed in those faith-destroying details that lead the honest intellectual away from religion.
Photo by Jumana Dakar
But the discomfort of reevaluating our theological assumptions is the essence of faith: For me, this has meant recognizing that my doubts are evidence of the truthfulness of the gospel, because if God is perfect and I am not, then there will be aspects of religion that do not always make sense to me right away. While some might say that such uncertainty means academia and religion are incompatible, or that errors in the Bible conclusively disprove theological claims, Ben Spackman offers a different perspective in his article “Why Bible Translations Differ: A Guide for the Perplexed.”
Spackman lays out four questions that are key to understanding variations in Bible translations: “What are the textual sources of the translation, how does the translator understand the grammar and syntax, how does the translator resolve ambiguities on the word level, what conscious choices are being made about translation philosophy, style, and register?”
With each of these questions, Spackman explicates how equally valid—yet different—decisions in the translation process can lead to very distinct final products. With Latter-day Saint beliefs about ongoing revelation, Spackman implies that small details should not destroy our faith. To demonstrate this, Spackman quotes Brigham Young: “Should the Lord Almighty send an angel to re-write the Bible, it would in many places be very different from what it now is.”
Spackman says that scriptural translations are not the “ideal of purely original and perfectly translated text, but a sufficient, prophetic, line-upon-line text.” The combination of sufficient with prophetic is important to keep in mind. God does not say we should ignore what academics have to say about religion, but he does ask us to remember that he is working with imperfect people who use imperfect forms of communication and implementation.
But as each of us chooses to trust that current revelation is sufficient, even when it is easy to get caught up in the details, we will discover that our continued faith will lead us closer to God’s perfect truth than we could ever hope to get if we chose doubt.
Read Ben Spackman’s full article, “Why Bible Translations Differ: A Guide for the Perplexed,” to learn about more details of Bible translation.
Source: Religious Studies Center
—Christopher Wolfersberger, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY WENDY VAN ZYL
Find more insights
Learn more about updates to the Church handbook on using other Bible translations in this article: “New Guidance on Bible Translations for Latter-day Saints.”
To better understand the nature of the Joseph Smith Translations, read Kent P. Jackson’s article “New Discoveries in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible.”
Study Elder Ian S. Ardern’s conference talk “Seek Ye Out of the Best Books” to improve personal scripture study.