The Proper Use of Scripture
California pastor Rick Warren has been the center of controversy and hype, having paved a path of non-traditional and unique ministry methods. He has been criticized, mostly from within the church, and primarily because of his questionable use of Scripture. His situation raises this most important question for us.
How should a pastor handle the Word of God? From an apologetic standpoint, this is a vital question, after all, it is the Scripture that is foundational to all that a pastor says (or certainly should be). Without the foundation the house falls. Without the anchor, the ship drifts into open and dangerous waters. Warren agrees with this I am sure, however he seems to think a text can be loosened somewhat from rigid translation without loosing its essential meaning. But how far can we go in this loosening process? At some point, we cross the line and we are making the Bible say what we want it to say, not what it actually says.
This is why pastors should preach from a solid, recognized, literal translation (NKJV, NAS, ESV). Why play with fire? A congregation needs to hear the Word spoken as close to the original as possible. Now then, after the foundational anchor is studied, then many implications and applications can be drawn. These are many and varied, but should stem in some way directly from the text. But the text should be the text, not a loose interpretation of it.
Pastors and teachers, do your homework. Do not accept loose translations of Scripture, but feed your people the real thing. Do not assume they are too dumb to get it.
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple" (Psalm 119:130).
How should a pastor handle the Word of God? From an apologetic standpoint, this is a vital question, after all, it is the Scripture that is foundational to all that a pastor says (or certainly should be). Without the foundation the house falls. Without the anchor, the ship drifts into open and dangerous waters. Warren agrees with this I am sure, however he seems to think a text can be loosened somewhat from rigid translation without loosing its essential meaning. But how far can we go in this loosening process? At some point, we cross the line and we are making the Bible say what we want it to say, not what it actually says.
This is why pastors should preach from a solid, recognized, literal translation (NKJV, NAS, ESV). Why play with fire? A congregation needs to hear the Word spoken as close to the original as possible. Now then, after the foundational anchor is studied, then many implications and applications can be drawn. These are many and varied, but should stem in some way directly from the text. But the text should be the text, not a loose interpretation of it.
Pastors and teachers, do your homework. Do not accept loose translations of Scripture, but feed your people the real thing. Do not assume they are too dumb to get it.
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple" (Psalm 119:130).
1 Comments:
I came to Christ using the sturdy KJV, and for years felt that even NKJV or RSV were not the true word of God. Then came the NIV, and I resisted even opening a book I felt was heretical. Simply put, I was wrong. What I've learned is that any reasonably faithful translation is better than no translation -- which is all too often the real-world choice when a preacher is dogmatic and inflexible. Purity of doctrine of necessity comes after introducing the Word to the unsaved.
Do I think that Rick Warren's use of many translations (if memory serves, he uses 15) in the Purpose Driven Life is a good thing? No, not for folks like me who are hard core conservatives and take their Scripture neat, thank you. But for those who are just peeking, to see what this Jesus thing is all about? I don't see any harm.
It also depends on one's view of justification. For me, it is all up to God, and how He works through us to regenerate us to faith in Christ remains a mystery. Let's just say that God won't let an inferior, dumbed-down, or lame translation get in His way when He is going about His work in us.
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