Thursday, January 31, 2008
Week 4 - Bevans Chapter 4
I liked what Bevans had to say about translation being more about understanding the meaning of a text in another language rather than translation being about recreating a text word for word in another language. This brings into scope the difficulty in understanding what the books of the Bible meant in their day. Consider how humans today run into interference and misunderstandings when commnicating ideas in their same culture and language. When the Biblical authors communicate ideas about the nature of the Trinity, the divinty of Christ, atonement, eschatology etc; we have to realize that complex language from 2000 years ago must be used to describe the esoteric and incommunicable nature of these ideas. The problem with language is that it inherently limits what one can say. Perhaps in light of such inconsistenies within human language and translation we should be more flexible in our acceptance of other Christian traditions.
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2 comments:
Great reflection on the reading.
I totally agree. The problem with language is that it inherently limits what one can say. I am married...enough said. However, as limiting as human language is, we must not forget the power of the Holy Spirit as we attempt to convey the truths of the Bible. I do not believe these ideas are incommunicable. One only has to look to Pentecost to see that in the power of the Holy Spirit, the good news can be preached and understood in any culture or language. I may be an idealist, but with God anything is possible. That is why He chose us, fallen, fallible, and fearful to bring the good news to others, so that when the Gospel is received without error, He receives the glory, not us.
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