The Bible-Why So Many? - NEW TRANSLATIONS MULTIPLY

In the meantime, people continue to make other translations of the Bible-such as the famous Syriac Peshitta by about the fifth century C.E. But it was not until the 14th century that renewed efforts were made to give ordinary people the Scriptures in the vernacular.

In England in the late 14th century, John Wycliffe began the process of breaking free from the clutches of a dead language by producing the Bible in English, a language that people in his land could actually understand.  Soon after that, Johannes Gutenberg's printing methods opened the way for Bible scholars to produce and distribute new versions of the Bible in many different living languages throughout Europe.

When English translation multiplied, critics questioned the need to make different versions in the same language.  The 18th -century English cleric John Lewis wrote:  "Language grows old and unintelligible, therefore it's necessary to review old translations to make them speak the Language in use, and be understood by the living generation."

Today, Bible scholars are in a better position than ever to review older translations.  They have a much clearer understanding of ancient Bible languages and they have valuable ancient Bible manuscripts that have been found in recent times.  These help to establish more accurate the original text of the Bible.  So there is real value in the new Bible versions.  Of course, there is need for caution regarding some of them.  But if the revisers have been moved by a genuine love of God in  make a new Bible version, their work can be of great benefit to us.

Next time: The Bible-Why So Many? - GOD'S SACRED NAME IN THE BIBLE

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