NOT Against the Writings of the Original Authors
The way I talk and write, people might think I’m against the Bible as God’s inspired Word. This is very untrue. I am against how English translators rendered various biblical concepts and how Christians demand adherence to literal English wording. I wish to point out seven things translated wrong.
First, though, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Seven times, John records this instruction and, notice, it’s in the present tense – not what was written in the distant past. The Spirit still speaks new things to His people.
Too often, the English wording, especially in the King James (Authorized) Version, is not the meaning of the original Hebrew and Greek writers. Nor is much of what was written meant to be taken literally. The Hebrew writers used imagery to convey concepts God was revealing to them. (See Tim Mackie of the Bible Project.)
The Revelation to John has still more imagery not meant to be taken literally as events happening in a timeline some person can plot. Paul wrote to the Romans (4:15) that the written word brings misery and death but instructions spoken by Sarayu (Holy Spirit) today bring life and peace.
Seven Words Mistranslated into the English Bible
1) “Study to shew thyself approved…” (They didn’t even spell ‘show’ correctly.)
My perception of the Bible-believing Church, and especially those wed to the KJV, is this: They read and meditate on the written words so they can believe and teach exactly what the English Writings have recorded. Their preachers require people to agree with their understanding of the Writings and to behave accordingly.
This was not what Paul was writing to Timothy. The archaic English “study” means to make an effort. The New International Version and Revised Standard Version say, “Do your best…” In other words, make your best efforts to be approved by God. Understand what the Spirit is saying today through the Writings and verified by them.
2) “Ye are the temple of the Spirit.”
It is unfortunate that “you” is a plural pronoun, used when speaking to one person and to more than one. The KJV has this one right when it says, “Ye are…” “Ye” is the archaic word for you, meaning more than one person, i.e., you-all.
Many people are counseled individually to quit smoking or taking drugs or whatever because “You – the individual – are a temple…” This is another example of what’s wrong with English Bible translations. What Paul was saying to the Roman believers was “You-all together are a temple… Don’t pollute it with…”
3) Talents
In the so-called Parable of the Talents, the master gives talents to his servants, who invest and multiply them – except for the lazy, wicked one who hid the one he was given. People outside the Church – who don’t read the KJV – understand that a talent is a skill some person has. (Ask the performers on America’s Got Talent.)
This is especially true of church people who despise the idea that the Bible talks positively about wealth. They can’t handle Jesus talking about investing money and expecting to receive profits. How ungodly!
However, the archaic English word “talent” was a weight of silver or gold…riches. Jesus’s point was for people to take their skills and abilities, and the financial resources given them and to invest them in commerce in order to create wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18).
4) Prodigal Son
Here is another twisting of a meaning away from the financial context of a parable. “…the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living.” The archaic English version labeled him the Prodigal Son, which the Church took to mean he had run away, lived a sinful lifestyle, which led to poverty.
However, the word “prodigal” does not mean “runaway”; it means wasteful, spendthrift, extravagant. I believe the Creator was prodigal in spreading plant life throughout all the Earth. This wasteful son spent his wealth on consumption instead of investing and producing more wealth. This would be abhorrent to Jews. Given the previous parable about the talents, the son’s actions were anathema to God and His people. A better title for this parable is the Wasteful Son.
5) Speaking in Tongues
Acts 2:4, 10:46, 19:6 are different incidents in which Sarayu fell upon believers and gave them all the ability to speak languages unknown to them. The archaic English version started the tradition of calling this “speaking in tongues”. This is what most Christians call it. Street people – who need to hear the Good News plainly – wouldn’t know what to think of this.
To get away from this archaic wording, I prefer to say “praying in the Spirit” or even “babbling in the Spirit”.
6) Disciple all the nations
Before Jesus ascended to take up His throne in Heaven, He gave the leaders of His ecclesia (apostles) the so-called Great Commission. He told them to “…teach all nations…” The NIV and RSV say, “…make disciples of all nations…”
My previous understanding of this instruction, as echoed by most churches, was to go into all nations and make as many believers as possible. I now agree with Lance Wallnau’s teaching that King Jesus meant to make followers of – not just in – whole nations. Make them sheep vs. goat nations.
Myles Munro further taught that the Greek word for nations is ethnos – people groups. These are defined by having a common language and a common culture or customs. Therefore, the people of a particular profession are also ethnos. The people who occupy each of the Seven Mountains of society are ethnos.
Jesus wanted His followers to teach people in all the Seven Mountains. He wants His Kingdom brought into all areas of the Earth and society.
7) Ecclesia
Finally, the most abominable example of what’s wrong with English Bible translations. Under the reign of Henry VIII, the English Parliament passed laws, starting in 1529, abolishing papal authority in England and declared Henry to be the head of the Church of England. The king became the final authority in doctrinal disputes. His daughter, Elizabeth I, continued this doctrine. Dying a virgin (hence the American colony named after her), her crown was given to King James VI of Scotland in 1603.
As James 1 of England, he organized a committee of scholars to create an authorized English version of the Bible. He gave them a list of rules to follow. This included the rule that “ecclesia” MUST be translated “church” – not “assembly” or “congregation”. This was to maintain his position at the top of the church hierarchy. The problem is: When Jesus took His apprentices to Caesarea Philippi and declared He would build His ecclesia, the students did not think “church” or any religious organization. That word would not be invented for hundreds of years.
In ancient Greece, the citizens of a city would assemble in ecclesia to make governmental decisions. They were called out to decide military, diplomatic, and economic matters, i.e. politics.
The Romans conquered Greece and adopted much of the culture. They used ecclesias to hear the emperor’s decrees and decide how to implement them. In Roman colonies, citizens were sent to a conquered region, led by an apostle, usually the conquering general. This was a political appointment. The colonists assembled in ecclesia in order to bring Roman culture to the colony – to make it look like Rome.
When the followers of Jesus heard He would build His ecclesia, they knew King Jesus wanted them, His apostles – political leaders – to lead Kingdom colonists so as to bring His Kingdom to Earth.
Therefore, to use the word “church” is to speak of a worshiping organization with a religious hierarchy. What the King wants instead is an assembly of citizens to make Kingdom decisions that affect all of a culture and nation, declare the words of the King, and work to bring the culture of Heaven to Earth.
Application
So, how are believers supposed to read and understand the English versions of holy writings? New and immature believers can read the English and learn general ideas. I would recommend any English version except the KJV.
Mature believers can read and listen for Sarayu to speak through the written words. They should also investigate the original Hebrew and Greek words and deepen – make more accurate – their understanding.
And don’t take everything literally.
Questions
Do you have access to a concordance or to a Bible app with interlinear translation of Hebrew and Greek words? I find the Blue Letter Bible app very helpful.
Are you open to other ways
of understanding ancient Hebrew and Greek biblical writings? Are you willing to change your thinking as Jesus called His students to do?
John Paul DeWalt, Author
