Yet Another New Bible Translation: "The Voice"

There is an upcoming Bible translation coming to town soon. It is called THE VOICE.

Within the past decade, there has been a slew of English Bible translations. They are often promoted by a Christian book publisher or a group of translators with an agreed set of common theological persuasion. In 2001, the English Standard Version (ESV, Crossway) updates the Revised Standard Version. Eugene Peterson published his very popular paraphrase of the Bible called THE MESSAGE (NavPress) back in 2002. The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB, Lifeway) was published in 2004. The short-lived Today's New International Version (TNiV, Zondervan) was launched in 2005. A popular paraphrase, the New Living Translation (NLT, Tyndale) was updated in 2007. This year, Zondervan published an update to the ever popular NIV, called the NIV 2011.

The MSG and NLT are paraphrase translations in modern English, the ESV and HCSB are a little more literally translated. The NIV maintains a position somewhere along the middle. Of course there is also an audio versions of the Bible. One notable version is Max McLean's reading of the Bible which is available free online here. If you want a downloadable version, you will need to fork out about US$25. In my honest opinion, I think it is a worthy investment. Max McLean's reading of the Bible has made the Bible come fresh and vivid.

Brief Look at THE VOICE

This brings me to the main point of this blog discussion. Supported by Thomas-Nelson, the new translation tries to offer something extra: A Communicator's flavor, Presenting the Bible as story. I believe the Voice springs from a need to inculcate deeper and more insightful Bible reading. This new translation that comes with a new premise. According to the translators,

"The Voice is a dynamic equivalent translation that reads like a story with all of the truth and wisdom of God's Word. Through compelling narratives, poetry, and teaching it invites readers to enter into the whole story of God with their heart, soul, and mind. This bold new translation engages readers like no other Bible." (website)

You can download a sample pdf version (Book of John) here to get a feel of the translation. It consists of Bible scholars, pastors, as well as artists, musicians, and storytellers familiar with the art and science of communications. With the scholars, the integrity of the textual translations are assured. With the artists, the communications are sustained. Together, the new translation offers a vividly rich reading experience. This ancient-texts-modern-rendition idea takes a while before getting used to. For instance, check out John 1:1.

"Before time itself was measured, the Voice was speaking. The Voice was and is God." (John 1:1, The Voice)

It has changed the 'logos' into the voice. It has also added in conversational characters explicitly. For example, John 1:19-27 has clearly identified the characters in such a way that it can be easily used as a school or church play presentation. There is no red-lining to describe Jesus' words. Even Nicodemus's inner thoughts are inserted in for clarity. See John 7:51-52 below.

Nicodemus: Does our law condemn someone without first giving him a fair hearing and learning something about him?
Pharisees (ignoring Nicodemus’s legal point):
Are you from Galilee too? Look it up for yourself; no real prophet is supposed to come from Galilee.

MIXED FEELINGS
My feelings are mixed (*) with regards to this latest translation for 3 reasons. First, I commend the translators' good intentions to encourage better Bible reading. Through its accessible language and style, understanding the story is easy. Second, I cannot but feel that the premise of increasing Bible readership through readability is somewhat flawed. If a person does not want to read the Bible, no matter how attractive the Bible is, he is not going to be persuaded to read. After all, there are paraphrases like the MSG, the NLT, the Amplified Bible and other paraphrases already. If those are not going to interest the prospective reader, I am not sure if the VOICE will help at all. Third, I am always wary of inserted things into the Scriptures. It makes one wonder if it is in the original texts or not. That said, the best way to approach this Bible is again to use it as a supplement rather than the main course. Use it for presentation at church plays. Use it as a way to encourage Bible listening. However, when it comes to serious study or reading, I recommend other versions.

One more thing. Having done a little Bible translation myself during Bible school, I cannot help but feel that the ones who benefit most from any new translations are the translators themselves. They go through the original texts again and to get fresh insights. A part of me seems to say: "Don't deprive the layperson of the privilege to dig through versions which are harder to read and to comprehend." Sometimes, the way many of us learn is not due to easier to use Bible tools, but a greater determination to go through the harder to understand sources. Again, that is my simply my humble opinion.

(*) Note that my opinions are based on my reading of the translated Book of John.


conrade

Persecution in Silence

Living in the West, it is so easy to talk about human rights. As champions of democracy and free speech, people are up in arms every time *ANYTHING* is said about discrimination or unfair treatment. Whether it is racial profiling, sex orientation, or treatment of the various age groups, the general public will speak out against any unjust treatment. While the general reactions are predictable, it can only happen when people know about it. If discrimination of undemocratic actions are not reported or under-reported, there will be silence. How can anyone do anything about things that they do not know? For example, the OccupyVancouver movement is part of a movement that has generated a lot of media publicity. When this happens, public eyes scrutinize the words and actions of the authorities, the police, and anyone who speaks about it. When I see the dedications of the protesters and the reactions from the public, on one hand, it is good for these people to stand up for their convictions. On the other hand, when compared to other more gross violations of human rights, it gives us a different perspective of life altogether. It is like complaining about not getting the right kind of mineral water when others have NO water at all.

Christian killed for his faith.
(Photo Credit: faithfreedom.org)

When I read this news today about Somali women suffering in silence, I am really sad. These women have been persecuted by their own communities simply because they choose a different faith. For some of them, because they convert to Christianity, their husbands divorce them. Others suffer physical abuse and violence. Some lose all of their possessions including their children who were snatched away from them. The violence is also against men who become Christians. One story tells about a man whose fingers were chopped off when it was discovered he changed his faith. 

Our Deafening Silence and Selective Protests

I look at the fierce protesters outside the Vancouver Art Gallery vigorously protesting against the 'top 1%' who are profiting at the expense of the other 99%. I ask: "What do you have to say about these Somalian Christians who have lost everything simply because they embrace a different faith? Is that none of your concern?"

I look at the barrage of accusations against religious institutions, where people condemn sexual abuses, ecclesiastical authority, and the negativity toward institutions. I ask: "What about the crimes against believers or people who have a right to believe? Are you going to be silent and only speak up for atheists or secularists?"

I look at the readiness in the media to highlight the political scandals, the ethical problems in the West, where editors, commentators, and writers condemn with the full force of the pen the shortcomings of their own leaders. I ask: "Why are you so relatively quiet when it comes to persecutions of the weak and vulnerable in the other parts of the world?"

I think the accusations of hypocrisy ought to be pointed back at all of us. We are all guilty of being hypocrites at various ways. We are all guilty of overestimating our rights and underplaying our responsibilities. Reflecting on life in the West, I think we must be humble to acknowledge that the peace and lifestyle we have cannot be taken for granted. We need to learn to speak up not just for our own rights in our lands. We need to speak up for all. Christians, do not just speak up for Christians, speak up for all. Secularists, do not just speak up for your cause, speak up for all. Atheists, the same applies apply to all. Our common denominator is being human. Let us speak up for all humans. 

Those who condemn Christians for whatever version of faith they have must also be ready to fight for Christians who are persecuted. Those who criticize the Church as being a place of hypocrites need to look at themselves whether they too are hypocrites in their own lives. Those who speak up for the injustices in the West need to make sure that their fight is not limited to the West, but to other parts of the world. If we scream and shout for our rights to assemble in a public space, why are we silent when Christians in Somalia are deprived of their basic right to believe in a religion?

One of these ways is to publicize the atrocities and the injustice happening not just in our own lands, but in any part of the world. This blog post is one small way to do that. My challenge to anyone in the West, vigorous protesting about injustice in the West, maybe it is time to look at the bigger picture that the world is bigger than the West. There are bigger more pressing issues of poverty, persecution, and disgusting levels of inhumane acts. In other words, when you protest loudly for a small infringement, make sure you protest LOUDER for a large crime. Make your volume of protests fit the 'crime.' When one starts to see that the poverty in other lands is so much more pathetic, one starts to realize that the inconveniences we have in our affluent world are really nothing. 

conrade

Remembrance Day 2011

Today is 11 Nov 2011. At around 11.11am, countries observing remembrance day will be observing a minute's silence to remember the veterans of wars in the past as well as the present. I wrote on Facebook today:

It's Remembrance Day.
- Remembering the horrors and sorrows of war;
- Remembering the sacrifices of ordinary men and women
- Remembering that the peace we have is paid by the sacrifices of many
- Remembering we cannot take our world for granted;
- Remembering that peace is not gained by doing nothing. Peace is gained through regular dialogue (not monologues); being grateful for what we have (not bitter for what we don't have); and remembering the past meaningfully.

There is also no better way than to simply be quiet. Pray. Resolve within ourselves to be an agent of peace. Like a salmon swimming upstream, peacemaking is essential for peace. By not doing anything, we let the waters of nonchalance wash us downstream. We all can play our part. We can all make the future a more peaceful one for our children, our children's children, generations after generations. Remembrance is a first step.

Yapdates honour the Veterans of war, not just any one country, but all countries. After all, Christ died for all. Remember.

conrade

Why We Burn Out?

Burned out? Exhausted? Needing a break more and more often? Perhaps, these are signs that you really needed a Sabbatical, or a getaway. More so, it is a gentle prompting that true ministry begins with true receiving.

I am currently reading through a wonderful book on Spiritual Formation called "Deep-Rooted in Christ", by a Korean-American pastor called Joshua Choonmin Kang. Translated from Korean, it is a first book published in English by this prolific practitioner of Christian Spirituality. His chapter 'Let Yourself Be Filled' prompts today's meditation on what it means to be giving and receiving.

As Christians, we all like to talk up, even hype up the notion of giving as more important than receiving. Many well-meaning believers quote Acts 17:11 liberally.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:35)

The book of Acts is narrated by Luke, the disciple of Christ. The person exhorting the audience is none other than Paul the Apostle, evangelist and martyr for Jesus. Giving is good. Giving is necessary. Giving is better than receiving. However, the question is where are we giving from? From whom are we being empowered to give? On what basis are we practicing true giving?

Easier said than done. After all, giving is never a natural inclination of human beings. Babies insist on grabbing milk bottles and crying out for attention all the time. Teenagers insist on their own versions of growing independence. Young people insists on their rights, sometimes overshadowing responsibilities. Even the elderly insist on their right to be treated fairly in a world that so easily cast them aside when they are no longer earning as much or contributing effectively as before. The stark fact of life is this: We can only give when we are filled. There is no giving without any receiving in the first place. Hear what Kang has to say:

"True ministry begins not with giving but with receiving. We need to be filled up before we have anything to give to others. John told us that 'God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him' (Colossians 1:19 NIV). We should be pleased to be channels for God's truth and grace. Many servants of God, acting out of good will, move too quickly into ministry. They focus on giving before they're been refilled and reenergized. They become exhausted before they know it." (Joshua Choonmin Kang, Deep-rooted in Christ, Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2007, p25)

Isn't this the reason why many of us in ministry burn out so easily? When we fail to receive well, we fail to give well. One of my professors at Regent-College constantly warns us:

"The quality of your output must be equaled or exceeded by the quality of your input."

True. Like charging up our batteries. When we give time for our electrical or electronics to be charged to its full capacity, we will be able to discharge our responsibilities more effectively. Just think of a laptop computer that is rated 8 hours of battery life when it is fully charged. If we are only charged up 50%, obviously we shut down when we approach the 4th hour mark.

One more thing. The discipline of receiving and waiting on God`s time also trains our patience with people. If we rush into ministry, we can also do the unhelpful thing of rushing people in order to fit our ministry. It ought to be the other way round. We wait upon the Lord for His filling. We receive His fullest grace and peace. We step confidently into the world, aware that we ourselves are nothing. Like the Samaritan woman at the well, filled with the joy of Jesus` promises, we are then able to point others to Christ for true filling of needs. If we rush into ministry, we are in danger of pointing others to ourselves and our own versions of what ministry is all about.

May our ministry be one that reflects an overflowing river of grace and peace from God, and not one that squeezes ourselves dry that makes us brittle and bitter over time. True giving must first come from true receiving. Not the other way round.

Why do we burn out so easily? It is because we rush into ministry before being filled. We fail to recognize that true giving comes from true receiving. Instead, we need to acknowledge that it is God`s filling and constant refilling of us that brings glory to Him, not to us.

Thought:  "There`s a lesson here for those who want to give away what they haven`t yet received. Let`s not be impatient or overeager. Let`s wait for our reservoirs to fill with grace." (Kang, p25)

conrade

Day 14, Luke 24: Jesus' appearance after resurrection

TITLE: Day 14, Luke 24: Jesus' appearance after resurrection
THEME: Burning Hearts

Jesus is risen. He says it. He fulfills it. He demonstrates His truth in life, in death, and in resurrection from the dead. The road to Emmaus is striking for three reasons.

Firstly, the two men are unnamed. Apparently, they seem to know all the events that have happened that day, talking about the past, and history. Yet, when Jesus walks up with them, they hardly recognized Jesus. Are they too fixated on the past that they fail to recognize the presence of Christ? Are they too caught up with history that they forget that history is constantly in the making? Are the two unnamed persons reflective of modern believers nowadays, who talk about Jesus but fail to live out the Truth of Jesus' resurrection?

Secondly, they are able to relate all the teachings of Jesus, from the prophetic teachings and deeds, right up to the arrest and the promise of Jesus' resurrection on the third day. Yet, where is their faith? Why are they so knowledgeable in their heads, but still fail to sense the presence of Jesus in their midst?

Thirdly, why are they so slow to respond?

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)

What about us? Do our hearts burn with the truths of God's Word when we read it? Perhaps, it is not realistic to expect the Word of God to pop out at us every time we open the Word. After all, we are are creatures affected by the Fall. What about keeping the Word in our hearts so much that the Holy Spirit can burn the Word when the time is ripe? This is another strong case for Scripture memorization.


What I Learn: The man of God will meditate and keep God's Word in his heart.

I hope you have enjoyed the short 14-days journey through Jesus' life and his teachings. There is more.

conrade

Day 13, John 20: Resurrection

TITLE: Day 13, John 20: Resurrection
THEME: The revelation of Jesus

This chapter is one of the most touching passages of Scripture. Instead of harbouring hatred or memories of what has happened to him, Jesus chooses to appear before his disciples. He appears everywhere not simply to boast about his rising from the dead, but to show compassion to the people he loves. It is interesting to read Jesus' first words to Mary, the disciples, and Thomas.

When Jesus appears before Mary, he calls out her name.

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). (John 20:26)

When Jesus appears to the disciples, and to Thomas, he calls out: "Peace be with you!" (v19, v21, v26).

Why is there a difference in the way Jesus relates to Mary and the disciples? For Mary, he calls her out by name. For the disciples, Jesus addresses the condition of their hearts first. Jesus knows that the disciples are probably shell-shocked over what had happened. After denying Christ, and running away, obviously, their hearts are heavy and troubled. Getting forgiveness will probably be the last thing on their minds. Jesus sees through the condition of their hearts. He knows what is most needful for them. Peace.

Looking at the at the very sensitive way Jesus reveals himself is a powerful reminder of how much Jesus understands our human condition.

What I Learned: If we want to grow in intimacy with God, do not just do things for God. Desire to be present with God.

conrade

Day 12, Matthew 27: Jesus' execution on a cross

TITLE: Day 12, Matthew 27: Jesus' execution on a cross
THEME: Scandalous Exchange

In theory, we know that every kind of punishment ought to fit the nature of the crime. If the punishment is overly heavy-handed, it is not justice but bullying. If the punishment is not strong enough, it fails to act as a deterrent for future crimes of similar nature. Thus, in any law system, it is critical that the punishment fits the size of the crime.

Yet, in practice, things are often not fair. Innocent people are imprisoned. Crimes committed go unsolved. Victims are ignored. The guilty goes free. The state of injustice seems to be more prevalent than scenes of justice. Sometimes, I feel that for every piece of media information about justice being done, lies many more that is not only reported, but a lack of justice. If we think about it, if the media is controlled by the rich and powerful, and if the media can only be sustained by the resources of the rich and powerful, is it not natural to expect that the media, no matter how well-intentioned, will highlight matters that benefit the rich and powerful more? Is there anyone or any organization who will speak for those who cannot speak? Who fights for the hungry? Who speaks up for the marginalized?

Nobody speaks up for Jesus then. Pontius Pilate cynically absolves himself from responsibility. The chief priests and the elders prefer to convict an innocent man, and to release a criminal instead. The crowd lets their emotions get worked up by the accusers, and they ask for Jesus' death. Even the soldiers mock Jesus.

The only person who truly understands Jesus is God the Father. Yet, at that moment, Jesus felt alone. Utterly alone. Love can sometimes be very lonely.

What I Learned: Love is like a marathon. It may speed up during good times. It may slow down in bad times. Love is always moving. Moving toward loving regardless of circumstances.

conrade