Holy Scripture - Lesson 11

THE HOLY SCRIPTURE

2004-2005

LESSON ELEVEN

I. The Original Text of Holy Scripture and the Translations (p. 343 et.seq.)

A. Scripture: intended for the use of all Christians.

1. Whatever “station”, sex, age, etc.

2. Dt. 6:6-9.

3. Jos 1:8.

4. Neh 8:2-3.

5. Jn 20:31.

6. Ac 17:10-12.

7. 1Th 5:26,27.

B. Therefore, it is His Will that the Scriptures be translated in various languages.

1. Church has made it a point to do this from beginning.

2. But, we do not say it is necessary to read Scriptures to be saved.

3. What is necessary is the knowledge of fundamental articles of faith.

a. Through which repentance and faith in vicarious satisfaction of Christ is worked.

b. Lk 24:46-47.

c. May be obtained by the mere hearing of a Scriptural sermon or instruction.

4. But after men become Christians, it is indeed God’s will that:

a. They read the Scriptures.

b. They search the Scriptures.

c. They judge according to the Scriptures.

d. Is contrary to Papacy’s attitude which has treated the Bible as a dangerous book.

C. The Relation of the Original Text to the Translations.

1. Is self-evident that the original wields canonical authority also over the translations.

2. All translations must submit to the original.

3. However, disparity between the original and translations must not be unduly stressed.

4. Yet, even the best translators are not inspired as were the infallible Apostles and Prophets.

5. “Whatever is God’s Word in Greek, is God’s Word also in German and English if only the German or the English is a faithful translation of the Greek.” (p. 346)

6. Faithful translation is not merely “a human explanation or interpretation” of the inspired text.

a. Remember that the whole Christian doctrine is revealed in Scripture passages that need no exegesis.

b. All common versions state the doctrine in all its parts.

7. Thus Holy Scripture “checks”, by its clear and simple mode of speech, false translations.

8. “As Scriptures in the original tongues proves itself to be God’s Word, so also the translation – if it be a real translation – has the same power.” (p.348)

9. Translating itself does not deprive Scripture of its character of being the infallible Word of God.

10. False teachers have no “call” to translate God’s Word.