The Midlands College and Divinity School Blog talks about some of the roadblocks he faces in convincing his Chinese friends to use a newer better translation of the bible:
over the last ten years I have tried and failed to encourage numerous Chinese friends to make use of the recent and much superior Chinese New Version (CNV - previously known as the New Chinese Version, NCV). Since its launch in 1992, the CNV has won the plaudits of many scholars but apparently failed to make any real inroads into the popularity of the CUV. Several other modern translations are also available (e.g TCV) but these have likewise been ignored. Why is this? And what do English speaking Christians have to learn from this?
I suggest these reasons for Christians wanting to keep to the older, less helpful CUV: 1) an unwillingness to change from what they’re “used to” 2) an ignorance of the existence of better versions 3) a feeling that old-fashioned language is somehow more holy (must have Chinese equivalents of thee and thou) 4) a sentiment that the choice of version is not very important (but we must get the latest worship CD!) 5) a desire to use the most popular text among fellow believers
Of these, the last is reasonable since it’s easier to follow sermons or studies when using the same Bible but even this is not a great argument. After all, if we all stuck to that principle we’d never change our translations and English readers would still be using the Wycliffe Bible of 1382.
See any parallels between the Chinese experience and the American?
I recently switched from an NIV to a TNIV and haven't really noticed that much of a difference However, I'd imagine the jump the KJV to the TNIV would be substantially harder. How often do you change translations? Ever?
HT: Kouya
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Comments (12)
Totally agree. Although, I'd still say that newer translations have the advantage of better scholarship. The Dead Sea Scrolls were only found during the century and they have definitely had an impact on how we translate the Bible.
They don't like the CUV always either. The gospel has grown in cities, not villages and as these families try to reach their villages (mostly Daoist) its awkward to read John 1:1 where it literally reads, "In the beginning was the Dao, and the Dao was with God and the Dao was God." Talk about culturally confusing!
Still, they know that if and when their families do come to Christ it will be very hard to get them any other Bible, so they simply must use the CUV, because they are approved by the Three-Self church and readily available throughout China.
However, I agree with the Chinese on this one and disagree with the implications of the reasons above for not changing the Bible I read. In fact they are a bit insulting.
I've read through the Bible more than a half dozen times. I was reading and using the KJV, NIV and a few other translations back in the 90's on a regular basis. I understand the need to update language and meaning when needed.
Having said that, there is no way we can justify close to 200 versions of the English Bible. I saw this coming way back then. Until we can justify having that many versions of the Bible in one language, does it make sense to try to convince the Chinese to follow in our footsteps. We're confused enough.
The reason for me to keep the old version,
-the language used is still relevent to today's Chinese language
-easy to follow for sermon, bible study, sunday school coz everyone else used the same old version
-If needed to refer to other version, I would personally prefer to refer to other languages Bible instead of different version of the same language.
My other comment: Some people are just not rich enough to own several versions of the bible.
1) lack of availability of newer translation -- In Beijing, one can now easily get both the CUV and the TCV (xian dai zhong wen yi ben); however, three years ago, the CUV was the only version I could find, and only one year ago, the church I went to sold all of their TCV Bibles before I could get one. Other versions are simply not available. And in the countryside, you can't buy any Bibles, you have to accept whatever there is (which happens to be a small number of CUV Bibles).
2) Older Christians are resistant to new translations (because it is the word of God, and how can than be different?). It is not a matter of holy language but just being used to something and not wanting to change (how can there be different word's of God?)
3) The desire to use what everyone else is using in church.
With that said, let me recommend the book by Stuart and Fee, "How to Read the Bible for All it's worth."
There is no one perfect translation. Newer versions are generally more accurately, but not necessarily. Versions differ due to differences in translation, insights from various manuscripts, stylistic considerations, etc. And sometimes, translators just do not translate well. If you have the opportunity, learn Greek and Hebrew. If not, read different versions, and read commentaries if available. There are some verses that I have found to be translated poorly (as compared to Greek/Hebrew) in every available translation (e.g. John 8:58, 1 John 3:2, etc.)
get a copy of Complete Jewish Bible and you will be richly blessed.