Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

The Naked Jesus

Home
Progressive Christian
Who Cares What Translation You Use

Who Cares What Translation You Use

Last updated on: October 4, 2016 at 11:39 am by John O'Keefe

Who Cares What Translation You Use 2016-10-04T11:39:40-05:00 John O'Keefe

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’m so tired of hearing people debate [no, whine] over which translation of the Collective Narrative is best, or the true translation. It’s like listening to a two-year-old learning the alphabet while eating her lunch; no, let me take that back. A two-year-old learning the alphabet while rating alphabet soup is cute, and there is nothing cute about adults, adulting over translations – while condemning those who don’t accept their translation to some medieval version of hell [thank you Donte].

Currently there are as many as 50 different English translations of the Collective Narrative – so, hearing adults crying that the KJV, or the NKJV, or the NIV, or the RSV, or the NRSV, or the MSG, or the CEV, or the, whatever three/four letter combo you can come up with, is the true, is beyond childish. Yes, beyond childish. I don’t care what translation you read, if you find a translation that fits you, great – that doesn’t mean it must fit everyone else.

Being a Vegas boy, I’ll wager you picked the translation you did because someone [a pastor, teacher, professor, scholar, theologian, church, denomination, or other] told you “this is only one true translation, and all others are wrong.” Even if you did research, and I’m doubtful most did, you read those online articles, or books, others told you to read, never realizing they pointed you in a direction that supported their view. 99% of those claiming to know, have no idea how the translation they like came into being; there’s nothing wrong with that, just admit it – you like the translation you have because it reads best to you.

I have watched people argue over which translation they claim to be the “true” translation [not true, I’ve not watched – I’ve laughed, I’ve laughed so hard sometimes stuff came out of place it shouldn’t’ve]. What I found so funny is, while they were debating the virtues of their translation, and demonizing all others, they never once realizing that NONE OF THEM are spot-on. That’s right, they all have mistaken, all have imperfections, and none are the “true” Collective Narrative. I know what you are going to say, ‘Some have less” – well, less mold is still mold. You’re now thinking, ‘Well, some are paraphrases.’ Let me just say, ‘Big Freakin’ Whoop.’

Stop trying to push others aside because they don’t read the same translation you read – remember:

People will read different translations, and the faith will move along.
People will come to different conclusions, and lightening will not destroy their church.
People will find comfort in what they read, and differ from you.

People will connect to the Divine in the way that works for them – stop trying to force them into living their faith as you do – what works for you, may not [and most likely won’t] work for others. Who died, and left you the boss? [LOL]

Previous Post

September 28, 2016

How I View the “Trinity”

Next Post

October 6, 2016 Could Not Come Up With A Title

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category abuse bad Bad Theology Blue Christian Karma Christmas Church Clinton Coming Out Day Cruz Dance Dangerous Church Discrimination Disruptive Faith disruptive peace Disrutive Church Doctrine Dominionism Evangelism Faith Fun good grace Hell Hillary Inclusive Justice Keller Leadership love Messy Church Missional New Parable Open Peace Play Politics Prayer Progressive racism random Safe Church Sessions Story Theology Trump truth Uncategorized

Select a Month March 2019 December 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 February 2018 December 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 October 2015 August 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the primary construction in Biblical times?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Iron hammer Stone hammer Bronze chisel Wooden mallet