Bible Question: I have just changed from the NRSV because of its inclusive language and liberal bias. My worry ( at least I would like to be able to defend against this accusation ) is how can we justify translation of the OT "with respect to the NT" and at the same time claim we are the most literal? I am an MA theology student and not a language specialist; I don't know any Hebrew at all. |
Bible Answer: Greetings Dalcent, The Revised Standard Version (RSV) was written with a philosophy of translation in that it does not 'attempt' to read New Testament theology back into Old Testament Scripture, but rather will let the OT say exactly what it says and leave the interpretation to others. Therefore, you get "young woman" in Isaiah 7:14 in the RSV. It was their belief (though not always consistently followed) that translators did not have the right to read their theology (however correct) into a passage, but rather must let it stand exactly as written. Dr. Jack P. Lewis wrote, "The RSV scholars decided not to read Christian theology into their translation of the OT passages that have been traditionally interpreted messianically, and they have been taken to task for it." I, for one, like "virgin" in Isaiah 7:14. However, we still know that Jesus was born of virgin birth without reading Isaiah 7:14, since Matthew 1:20-25 and Luke 1:26-35 both affirm the virgin birth of Christ. Isaiah 7:14 is, in itself, an important Messianic verse that is "proven" to be a prophecy of Christ by the Holy Spirit Himself, as penned by Matthew in Matthew 1:23. But this is just a "glimpse" of what is meant by translating the OT with respect to what is revealed in the New Testament. Scripture is seen as being a "whole" rather than two separate Testaments, having no relation to each other, when the opposite is more correct. Elsewise, we could not confidently say within our hearts that the Bible does not contradict itself. The NRSV continued the legacy of the RSV by not reading NT theology back into the OT. However, the English Standard Version, itself being a descendant of the RSV, DOES read and interpret Scripture as a whole, being a departure from this ideology as introduced in the RSV, interpreting the OT in light of what is revealed in the NT. I highly recommend the ESV!! Blessings to you, Makarios |