This episode contrasts the Bishop's Bible with the Geneva Bible, particularly over readability, accuracy, and overall lay-friendliness. The Geneva Bible is far superior. Roughly half of the episode highlights how more literal translations, coupled with word-studies on the original languages, are ultimately more rewarding. Matthew 5:48 commands us "to be perfect, as our heavenly Father is perfect." The Greek is in the passive, so the translation should read "be ye made perfect.." This nuance is often lost in English translations and has significant implications on whether we try to fix ourselves or simply be available for God to complete us. Additionally "perfect," coming from "teleos," also means complete or mature. Knowledge of these nuances of the Greek greatly enhances comprehension of the text.
The Convergence of Nationalism and Individualism in Bible Translation
This episode sets the setting for English translations of the Bible in the 16th century. The sixteenth century was revolutionary in most respects. Feudalism gave way to nationalism and the rise of powerful monarchs, and consequently wider embrace of the local vernacular as opposed to Latin, the lingua franca of western Europe and the Roman Catholic Church. (RCC) The individualistic impulse and the spirit of inquiry fostered by the renaissance came to fruition in the Protestant Reformation, particularly among reformers like Martin Luther who emphasized the priesthood of all believers, as opposed to the "corporate" salvation approach of the RCC. So the following century of "Bible translation mania" was substantially a reflection of political and cultural shifts that substantially created demand for reliable translations of the Bible in the language of the common people. "Reliable," with regards to translation, refers to dependence on old copies of the original Greek text, which Erasmus compiled together in 5 editions of the New Testament. William Tyndale translated the New Testament into English in 1526, relying on Erasmus' 1522 edition. Subsequent English translations, leading up to the KJV of 1611, all depend on Erasmus' compilation of copies of the Greek New Testament.
Translations Matter
This episode presents three different versions of 2 familiar passages, John 1:14 and Ephesians 6:10-17. The versions in question are a literal translation (NASB), a less literal thought-to thought (NLT), and lastly The Message. While some differences exist between the first 2, both clearly take the main thought directly from the Greek. The NLT translation nevertheless doesn't do justice to the Greek words "charis kai alethia" ("grace and "truth"), translating them as "unfailing love and faithfulness." The Message paraphrase though has significant differences, "grace and truth" (NASB) are rendered "generous inside and out, true from start to finish." Worse still, Paul's metaphor of the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-17 is completely missing. The episode highlights the importance of depending on an accurate translation, particularly in a Bible study setting.
Are the days of Genesis 1 24 hour days?
One of the major disputes between science and Genesis 1 potentially centers on the interpretation of the Hebrew word "yom" or day. There are 4 literal meanings of the word "yom," one of which is an indefinite finite period of time. This possible meaning would resolve the apparent chronological dispute between Gen 1 and science.