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Question #42
QUESTION:
Aren't modern English translations easier to understand?
ANSWER:
No. Some may seem easier to read, but none are easier to
understand.
EXPLANATION:
One of the primary advertising gimmicks used to sell modern English
translations is that they will be easier to understand for the potential
customers. The customer, having been assured that he/she cannot possibly
understand the "old archaic" King James gratefully purchases the modern
English Bible and unknowingly condemns themself to a life of biblical
ignorance. Modern English translations may be easier to read but they are
not easier to understand.
Let's look at the equation in simple terms. If the "archaic" language
and the "thee's" and "thou's" of the King James Bible really
do hamper the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit in communicating His
message to the Christians, then several things should be true of one or
all of the raft of modern English translations on the Bible market today.
1. If modern English translations, such as the New American Standard
Version, New International Version, New King James Version, and Today's
English Version were easier to understand, then the Holy Spirit's message
to the Christian would flow freer and accomplish greater spiritual
victories in the lives of God's people on an individual basis. Yet it is
sadly evident that this is not happening.
In fact it is only too evident to any objective
observer that today's Christians are more worldly and
less dedicated to Jesus Christ than their nineteenth or
even early twentieth century counterparts who were raised on and
read the King James Bible. Surely a Bible that was "easier to
understand" would have dramatically increased successes in battling sin,
worldliness and carnality, but this JUST HAS NOT HAPPENED.
2. Secondly, if the modern English translations were really easier to
understand then I believe God would show a little more gratitude for them
by using at least one to spark a major revival in this
nation.
It is elementary to see that if the "old archaic" King James Bible has
been hampering the desired work of the Holy Spirit, then
God should be eager to bless the use of any translation that would be
easier for His people to understand.
Again, it is all too obvious that no mass spiritual awakening of
any kind has been initiated by any one of today's modern
translations. Today's modern translations haven't been able to spark a
revival in a Christian school, let alone expected to
close a bar.
In fact, since the arrival of our modern English translations,
beginning with the ASV of 1901, America has seen:
1. God and prayer kicked out of our public school
2. Abortion on demand legalized
3. Homosexuality accepted nationally as an "alternate life style"
4, In home pornography via TV and VCR
5. Child kidnapping and pornography running rampant
6. Dope has become an epidemic
7. Satanisrn is on the rise
If this is considered a "revival" then let's turn back to the King
James to STOP it.
In fact, the ONLY scale used to claim success for a
new translation is how well it sells. This depraved
Madison Avenue sales system should set alarms ringing in the Christian.
Instead, deluded by television, they dutifully nod and remark that, "It
must be good, everybody's buying one."
Is there any "good" coming from modern translations? Surely. The
publishing companies are making millions.
Today American Christians are spiritually anemic. They turn instead to
their favorite "Bible psychologist" for help rather than Scripture.
America as a whole is as morally decayed as Sodom and Gomorrah. (Ezekiel
16:49).
Where is the spiritual help and hope that an "easier to understand"
translation should bring'?
Instead, perhaps we are in this desperate condition because
of those very translations.
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