Is There a Problem with Our English Translations?

We're talking here with with Ben Glad We're talking here with with Ben Glad about the CSB Connecting Scripture New about the CSB Connecting Scripture New about the CSB Connecting Scripture New Testament. Uh Ben, does the English Testament. Uh Ben, does the English Testament. Uh Ben, does the English Bible translation make a difference in Bible translation make a difference in Bible translation make a difference in how readers can discern these allusions? how readers can discern these allusions? how readers can discern these allusions? You mentioned earlier how quotations are You mentioned earlier how quotations are You mentioned earlier how quotations are handled differently in different handled differently in different handled differently in different different editions, and surely that's in different editions, and surely that's in different editions, and surely that's in translations surely that's the case now, translations surely that's the case now, translations surely that's the case now, and no doubt it's case over time. But and no doubt it's case over time. But and no doubt it's case over time. But just talking about the allusions, does just talking about the allusions, does just talking about the allusions, does does the English Bible translation make does the English Bible translation make does the English Bible translation make a difference? a difference? a difference? >> 100%. The problem here, Colin, is that >> 100%. The problem here, Colin, is that >> 100%. The problem here, Colin, is that when you have a translation when you when you have a translation when you when you have a translation when you have a a translation being produced, you have a a translation being produced, you have a a translation being produced, you have different teams. You have an Old have different teams. You have an Old have different teams. You have an Old Testament team, a New Testament team, a Testament team, a New Testament team, a Testament team, a New Testament team, a Pauline team, a prophets team, and they Pauline team, a prophets team, and they Pauline team, a prophets team, and they work on different portions. Rarely do work on different portions. Rarely do work on different portions. Rarely do these teams work together. these teams work together. these teams work together. The problem is that the wording that's The problem is that the wording that's The problem is that the wording that's found in the Old Testament isn't always found in the Old Testament isn't always found in the Old Testament isn't always represented well in the New Testament. represented well in the New Testament. represented well in the New Testament. So, they're not think In other words, So, they're not think In other words, So, they're not think In other words, the the the the Bible the translation the the the the Bible the translation the the the the Bible the translation committees are not thinking, "Hey, how committees are not thinking, "Hey, how committees are not thinking, "Hey, how can we preserve this? Or how can we can we preserve this? Or how can we can we preserve this? Or how can we preserve this allusion?" Or they're just preserve this allusion?" Or they're just preserve this allusion?" Or they're just not thinking like that, and it creates not thinking like that, and it creates not thinking like that, and it creates you just lose some of these connections you just lose some of these connections you just lose some of these connections right off the bat because they're not right off the bat because they're not right off the bat because they're not trying to preserve them.

trying to preserve them. trying to preserve them. It's a very It's a very tricky It's a very It's a very tricky It's a very It's a very tricky conversation. conversation. conversation. >> That is a huge pet peeve. >> That is a huge pet peeve. >> That is a huge pet peeve. >> It's a huge It's a huge issue. >> It's a huge It's a huge issue. >> It's a huge It's a huge issue. >> Along with the cross references, it >> Along with the cross references, it >> Along with the cross references, it it seems as though we're losing it seems as though we're losing it seems as though we're losing something really significant here. And something really significant here. And something really significant here. And and to be and to be clear, and to be and to be clear, and to be and to be clear, there are a lot of complications here there are a lot of complications here there are a lot of complications here because you're dealing with the Old because you're dealing with the Old because you're dealing with the Old Testament language of mostly Hebrew, Testament language of mostly Hebrew, Testament language of mostly Hebrew, then you're jumping into the New then you're jumping into the New then you're jumping into the New Testament language of Koine Greek. Testament language of Koine Greek. Testament language of Koine Greek. >> Greek. >> Greek. >> Greek. >> Um you also have the Septuagint coming >> Um you also have the Septuagint coming >> Um you also have the Septuagint coming in there, which is itself, of course, a in there, which is itself, of course, a in there, which is itself, of course, a translation that is contemporary to the translation that is contemporary to the translation that is contemporary to the New Testament, but is a translation of New Testament, but is a translation of New Testament, but is a translation of the Old Testament. And sometimes what the Old Testament. And sometimes what the Old Testament. And sometimes what the New Testament writer is quoting or the New Testament writer is quoting or the New Testament writer is quoting or alluding to is the Septuagint. alluding to is the Septuagint. alluding to is the Septuagint. >> Not the not the not the Hebrew. >> Not the not the not the Hebrew. >> Not the not the not the Hebrew. >> itself then a translation, but also as >> itself then a translation, but also as >> itself then a translation, but also as every translation is by necessity, it is every translation is by necessity, it is every translation is by necessity, it is an interpretation. an interpretation. an interpretation. So, So, So, um a reliable one in many ways, but um a reliable one in many ways, but um a reliable one in many ways, but that's one of the challenges when that's one of the challenges when that's one of the challenges when when when when trying to jump back with these allusions trying to jump back with these allusions trying to jump back with these allusions and these quotations as you can be able and these quotations as you can be able and these quotations as you can be able to check that in that jump between to check that in that jump between to check that in that jump between Hebrew to Greek in the Septuagint and Hebrew to Greek in the Septuagint and Hebrew to Greek in the Septuagint and then from there to the New Testament is then from there to the New Testament is then from there to the New Testament is actually very helpful in interpretation actually very helpful in interpretation actually very helpful in interpretation for us because we can see what other for us because we can see what other for us because we can see what other people have been thinking ahead of us people have been thinking ahead of us people have been thinking ahead of us there.

there. there. But, one of the biggest problems I have But, one of the biggest problems I have But, one of the biggest problems I have then is when then is when then is when I see something that's in the Old I see something that's in the Old I see something that's in the Old Testament Testament Testament and I know what it's referencing in and I know what it's referencing in and I know what it's referencing in Hebrew Hebrew Hebrew and then I know what the concept is and then I know what the concept is and then I know what the concept is carried over into the New Testament carried over into the New Testament carried over into the New Testament and they're not going to be perfect and they're not going to be perfect and they're not going to be perfect overlaps because that's the challenge of overlaps because that's the challenge of overlaps because that's the challenge of semantic ranges of languages. semantic ranges of languages. semantic ranges of languages. But, I know that they're clearly linked. But, I know that they're clearly linked. But, I know that they're clearly linked. And yet the translator uses two And yet the translator uses two And yet the translator uses two different different different >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> English words >> English words >> English words >> Mhm. Mhm. >> Mhm. Mhm. >> Mhm. Mhm. >> or phrases or idioms to be able to refer >> or phrases or idioms to be able to refer >> or phrases or idioms to be able to refer to them to them to them in which case the average reader simply in which case the average reader simply in which case the average reader simply throws up their They wouldn't even throws up their They wouldn't even throws up their They wouldn't even notice notice notice that there's a connection between the that there's a connection between the that there's a connection between the two. two. two. I assume that's part of the problem I assume that's part of the problem I assume that's part of the problem you're describing here. you're describing here. you're describing here. >> a huge problem. I think >> a huge problem. I think >> a huge problem. I think translations just need to do their best. translations just need to do their best. translations just need to do their best. To realize we're dealing Greek, Hebrew, To realize we're dealing Greek, Hebrew, To realize we're dealing Greek, Hebrew, Septuagint, but we need to do our best. Septuagint, but we need to do our best. Septuagint, but we need to do our best. It will always be imperfect, but I think It will always be imperfect, but I think It will always be imperfect, but I think that the effort needs to be that the effort needs to be that the effort needs to be how can we how can we how can we show continuity as best we can given our show continuity as best we can given our show continuity as best we can given our limitations?

limitations? limitations? How can we show continuity? And the How can we show continuity? And the How can we show continuity? And the answer would be just try to use the same answer would be just try to use the same answer would be just try to use the same words when possible. words when possible. words when possible. Try just make that extra effort right Try just make that extra effort right Try just make that extra effort right there. Try to line up these texts as there. Try to line up these texts as there. Try to line up these texts as best you can best you can best you can even though it's not going to be done even though it's not going to be done even though it's not going to be done perfectly, just try to do it. And it's perfectly, just try to do it. And it's perfectly, just try to do it. And it's going to help the reader so much because going to help the reader so much because going to help the reader so much because honestly, when we do this, you feel the honestly, when we do this, you feel the honestly, when we do this, you feel the rub, I feel the rub. I it rub, I feel the rub. I it rub, I feel the rub. I it it's very disconcerting. it's very disconcerting. it's very disconcerting. Because I'm like, no, this text isn't Because I'm like, no, this text isn't Because I'm like, no, this text isn't mine in that Old Testament translation. mine in that Old Testament translation. mine in that Old Testament translation. You would never know in a million years You would never know in a million years You would never know in a million years that these texts were were connected, that these texts were were connected, that these texts were were connected, and they really are. and they really are. and they really are. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. There are a couple other factors that There are a couple other factors that There are a couple other factors that are involved for people to understand are involved for people to understand are involved for people to understand when if of the the frustration here, I'm when if of the the frustration here, I'm when if of the the frustration here, I'm trying to give the other side of the of trying to give the other side of the of trying to give the other side of the of the of the debate here. the of the debate here. the of the debate here. The English translators are also trying The English translators are also trying The English translators are also trying to focus on readability. to focus on readability. to focus on readability. So, they're trying to have something So, they're trying to have something So, they're trying to have something that is comprehensible in in modern that is comprehensible in in modern that is comprehensible in in modern contemporary English language.

contemporary English language. contemporary English language. They're also, depending on the edition, They're also, depending on the edition, They're also, depending on the edition, they're trying to represent continuity they're trying to represent continuity they're trying to represent continuity with earlier English translations as with earlier English translations as with earlier English translations as well. So that every time a new well. So that every time a new well. So that every time a new translation doesn't come out, you're not translation doesn't come out, you're not translation doesn't come out, you're not having to feel as though this is a having to feel as though this is a having to feel as though this is a foreign, you know, new new product or a foreign, you know, new new product or a foreign, you know, new new product or a new resource. They're the um new resource. They're the um new resource. They're the um my pastor was complaining um the other my pastor was complaining um the other my pastor was complaining um the other day, and and we we don't do this very day, and and we we don't do this very day, and and we we don't do this very often. It's dangerous to complain too often. It's dangerous to complain too often. It's dangerous to complain too much about English translations because much about English translations because much about English translations because we are blessed with a lot of really good we are blessed with a lot of really good we are blessed with a lot of really good English translations. English translations. English translations. >> 100%. >> 100%. >> 100%. >> Um so, and in the work of our friends >> Um so, and in the work of our friends >> Um so, and in the work of our friends and colleagues who have done this now and colleagues who have done this now and colleagues who have done this now and and in the past is is really and and in the past is is really and and in the past is is really remarkable. remarkable. remarkable. But he was complaining about something But he was complaining about something But he was complaining about something that he felt was pretty obviously that he felt was pretty obviously that he felt was pretty obviously mistranslated. So he went and looked up, mistranslated. So he went and looked up, mistranslated. So he went and looked up, and they said, well, the reason we and they said, well, the reason we and they said, well, the reason we translated this way is because this is translated this way is because this is translated this way is because this is the way it was translated earlier. the way it was translated earlier. the way it was translated earlier. And we're trying to represent continuity And we're trying to represent continuity And we're trying to represent continuity with the way that people hear it from with the way that people hear it from with the way that people hear it from earlier editions of the Bible. Now earlier editions of the Bible. Now earlier editions of the Bible. Now again, not every translation has that again, not every translation has that again, not every translation has that policy, policy, policy, but that's how you can end up in a but that's how you can end up in a but that's how you can end up in a situation where something like Psalm 23 situation where something like Psalm 23 situation where something like Psalm 23 can can can I mean you you focus on readability I mean you you focus on readability I mean you you focus on readability versus continuity with other English versus continuity with other English versus continuity with other English translations that are more familiar as translations that are more familiar as translations that are more familiar as as common cultural idioms and certainly as common cultural idioms and certainly as common cultural idioms and certainly within the church you're balancing a lot within the church you're balancing a lot within the church you're balancing a lot of considerations at the same time. So of considerations at the same time. So of considerations at the same time. So that can be one thing that goes wrong.

that can be one thing that goes wrong. that can be one thing that goes wrong. >> I I want I have not been part of a >> I I want I have not been part of a >> I I want I have not been part of a translation committee. I don't know if translation committee. I don't know if translation committee. I don't know if that's a desire it's not really a desire that's a desire it's not really a desire that's a desire it's not really a desire of mine. Just seems like a lot of work. of mine. Just seems like a lot of work. of mine. Just seems like a lot of work. Um Um Um it it it but I suspect that these committees are but I suspect that these committees are but I suspect that these committees are not thinking how can we align the Old not thinking how can we align the Old not thinking how can we align the Old Testament with the New Testament Testament with the New Testament Testament with the New Testament thinking in terms of allusions and thinking in terms of allusions and thinking in terms of allusions and quotations. I don't think that's I don't quotations. I don't think that's I don't quotations. I don't think that's I don't think that's on their mind. I don't think that's on their mind. I don't think that's on their mind. I don't think that's on their radar. think that's on their radar. think that's on their radar. And because of that I think we have some And because of that I think we have some And because of that I think we have some disjointed texts at times unfortunately. disjointed texts at times unfortunately. disjointed texts at times unfortunately. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean we're just talking about the need I mean we're just talking about the need I mean we're just talking about the need here for the resource. here for the resource. here for the resource. >> There's a huge need here. I think >> There's a huge need here. I think >> There's a huge need here. I think there's a huge need. there's a huge need. there's a huge need. >> represented visually the way that you >> represented visually the way that you >> represented visually the way that you do. Um okay, let's get practical for do. Um okay, let's get practical for do. Um okay, let's get practical for pastors here. How can they use this pastors here. How can they use this pastors here. How can they use this study Bible in preparing to preach and study Bible in preparing to preach and study Bible in preparing to preach and teach? teach? teach? >> If I'm a pastor and I know Greek and >> If I'm a pastor and I know Greek and >> If I'm a pastor and I know Greek and Hebrew I'm going to translate. Hebrew I'm going to translate. Hebrew I'm going to translate. Then after you get your translation if Then after you get your translation if Then after you get your translation if you don't know Greek and Hebrew just you you don't know Greek and Hebrew just you you don't know Greek and Hebrew just you know get your English translation go know get your English translation go know get your English translation go line by line. I you know just write it line by line. I you know just write it line by line. I you know just write it out just man just read just write the out just man just read just write the out just man just read just write the Bible. Just you know do that a couple Bible. Just you know do that a couple Bible. Just you know do that a couple times get it in your brain.

times get it in your brain. times get it in your brain. And then immediately I'm always get I'm And then immediately I'm always get I'm And then immediately I'm always get I'm always asking the question how is my always asking the question how is my always asking the question how is my text related to the Old Testament. So if text related to the Old Testament. So if text related to the Old Testament. So if I'm New Testament I'm immediately I'm New Testament I'm immediately I'm New Testament I'm immediately thinking how does this go back? If I'm thinking how does this go back? If I'm thinking how does this go back? If I'm Old Testament you have to think how is Old Testament you have to think how is Old Testament you have to think how is my text going forward? my text going forward? my text going forward? Sometimes these are easy answers like oh Sometimes these are easy answers like oh Sometimes these are easy answers like oh well it tells me how it's doing. Other well it tells me how it's doing. Other well it tells me how it's doing. Other times it's like wow I have no clue. But times it's like wow I have no clue. But times it's like wow I have no clue. But you've got to ask that question. So and you've got to ask that question. So and you've got to ask that question. So and so if you're using Connecting Scripture so if you're using Connecting Scripture so if you're using Connecting Scripture we show you uh use we use green words or we show you uh use we use green words or we show you uh use we use green words or blue words depending on what it is. blue words depending on what it is. blue words depending on what it is. We're making those connections for you. We're making those connections for you. We're making those connections for you. Just chase it down. Just Just chase it down. Just Just chase it down. Just just look up the words. One of the just look up the words. One of the just look up the words. One of the things that I tell my students now with things that I tell my students now with things that I tell my students now with connecting scripture connecting scripture connecting scripture is if you're looking at a uh a chapter, is if you're looking at a uh a chapter, is if you're looking at a uh a chapter, write out just have a write out just have a write out just have a in your notes, just write out all the in your notes, just write out all the in your notes, just write out all the Old Testament allusions. And you will be Old Testament allusions. And you will be Old Testament allusions. And you will be shocked at the patterns. What the New shocked at the patterns. What the New shocked at the patterns. What the New Testament authors like to do, they like Testament authors like to do, they like Testament authors like to do, they like to keep going back to keep going back to keep going back to that same book. So, whether it's uh to that same book. So, whether it's uh to that same book. So, whether it's uh Exodus 3 or Exodus 20 or Exodus 15, Exodus 3 or Exodus 20 or Exodus 15, Exodus 3 or Exodus 20 or Exodus 15, you'll see like, "Wait a minute. There's you'll see like, "Wait a minute. There's you'll see like, "Wait a minute. There's going Something's going on here with the going Something's going on here with the going Something's going on here with the book of Exodus. That means you got to go book of Exodus. That means you got to go book of Exodus. That means you got to go back to the book of Exodus. You need to back to the book of Exodus. You need to back to the book of Exodus. You need to reread that section reread that section reread that section and think about why that author keeps and think about why that author keeps and think about why that author keeps bringing in Exodus. So, these really bringing in Exodus. So, these really bringing in Exodus. So, these really interesting, big kind of questions, interesting, big kind of questions, interesting, big kind of questions, struggle with that. Just You're not struggle with that. Just You're not struggle with that. Just You're not going to figure it all out, but that's going to figure it all out, but that's going to figure it all out, but that's okay. Just think about it.

okay. Just think about it. okay. Just think about it. >> Can I tell me if I'm on the right track >> Can I tell me if I'm on the right track >> Can I tell me if I'm on the right track here cuz I want to make a case, an here cuz I want to make a case, an here cuz I want to make a case, an appeal to pastors who are watching and appeal to pastors who are watching and appeal to pastors who are watching and listening listening listening or even reading the transcript here or even reading the transcript here or even reading the transcript here to use the Old Testament more often for to use the Old Testament more often for to use the Old Testament more often for your illustrations. your illustrations. your illustrations. Mhm. Um Mhm. Um Mhm. Um I I I The personal illustrations are I I I The personal illustrations are I I I The personal illustrations are great. The contemporary illustrations great. The contemporary illustrations great. The contemporary illustrations are great. The are great. The are great. The the you know, popular, funny story the you know, popular, funny story the you know, popular, funny story illustrations are great. A lot of these illustrations are great. A lot of these illustrations are great. A lot of these can be great. can be great. can be great. The Old Testament is full The Old Testament is full The Old Testament is full of illustrations. of illustrations. of illustrations. >> And they're not boring. >> And they're not boring. >> And they're not boring. >> And they're not boring at all. >> And they're not boring at all. >> And they're not boring at all. And you're in the grain of the New And you're in the grain of the New And you're in the grain of the New Testament writers who are, of course, Testament writers who are, of course, Testament writers who are, of course, always pointing backward, using those always pointing backward, using those always pointing backward, using those illustrations in all sorts of and illustrations in all sorts of and illustrations in all sorts of and allusions and and quotations, all of all allusions and and quotations, all of all allusions and and quotations, all of all of the above. of the above. of the above. So, let's follow their their pattern. I So, let's follow their their pattern. I So, let's follow their their pattern. I think think think you will not bore people. you will not bore people. you will not bore people. You will help people to understand the You will help people to understand the You will help people to understand the Old Testament, which is lacking Old Testament, which is lacking Old Testament, which is lacking across the board almost. And in the across the board almost. And in the across the board almost. And in the process, you'll also be showing how the process, you'll also be showing how the process, you'll also be showing how the story of the Bible fits together.

story of the Bible fits together. story of the Bible fits together. Am Am Am I on the right track here? It's safe. I on the right track here? It's safe. I on the right track here? It's safe. >> So, there are lots of books that have >> So, there are lots of books that have >> So, there are lots of books that have like these funny illustrations. One is, like these funny illustrations. One is, like these funny illustrations. One is, have you ever heard of a book called have you ever heard of a book called have you ever heard of a book called like Bad Boys of the Bible? Did you know like Bad Boys of the Bible? Did you know like Bad Boys of the Bible? Did you know this? There's like a Bad Boys of the this? There's like a Bad Boys of the this? There's like a Bad Boys of the Bible. There's a Bad Girls of the Bible. Bible. There's a Bad Girls of the Bible. Bible. There's a Bad Girls of the Bible. I'm like, I don't know if that should be I'm like, I don't know if that should be I'm like, I don't know if that should be made. made. made. But they have That's funny because it's But they have That's funny because it's But they have That's funny because it's They have these stories They They just They have these stories They They just They have these stories They They just work through. They They catalog all work through. They They catalog all work through. They They catalog all these crazy stories. And you're like, these crazy stories. And you're like, these crazy stories. And you're like, those There's something interesting those There's something interesting those There's something interesting there. There's something there there. There's something there there. There's something there that it it it jams the Bible in people's that it it it jams the Bible in people's that it it it jams the Bible in people's minds so that you're right. It's with minds so that you're right. It's with minds so that you're right. It's with the grain. It's These are really the grain. It's These are really the grain. It's These are really important stories. important stories. important stories. It's human nature and how God relates to It's human nature and how God relates to It's human nature and how God relates to us us us and how he reveals himself to be. and how he reveals himself to be. and how he reveals himself to be. That seems pretty relevant. And it's That seems pretty relevant. And it's That seems pretty relevant. And it's inspired, oh by the way. There's that. inspired, oh by the way. There's that. inspired, oh by the way. There's that. There's that. There's that. There's that. Can't say that about the rest [snorts] Can't say that about the rest [snorts] Can't say that about the rest [snorts] of the illustrations. of the illustrations. of the illustrations. >> [laughter] >> Much to many of our >> Much to many of our of our regret as preachers.

of our regret as preachers. of our regret as preachers. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Especially the illustrations that just >> Especially the illustrations that just >> Especially the illustrations that just come to us in the moment. This happened come to us in the moment. This happened come to us in the moment. This happened to me. I made the mistake at a recent to me. I made the mistake at a recent to me. I made the mistake at a recent conference. I'm I'm teaching and I conference. I'm I'm teaching and I conference. I'm I'm teaching and I decide decide decide I've got a great Star Wars illustration I've got a great Star Wars illustration I've got a great Star Wars illustration here. here. here. And I'm not even a huge Star Wars fan. And I'm not even a huge Star Wars fan. And I'm not even a huge Star Wars fan. So, I go and I share it. And afterward, So, I go and I share it. And afterward, So, I go and I share it. And afterward, a guy comes up to me and he says, "I a guy comes up to me and he says, "I a guy comes up to me and he says, "I need to correct you." need to correct you." need to correct you." And you know, as every preacher and And you know, as every preacher and And you know, as every preacher and teacher says, my heart starts to sink. teacher says, my heart starts to sink. teacher says, my heart starts to sink. I'm like, "Oh, what heretical thing did I'm like, "Oh, what heretical thing did I'm like, "Oh, what heretical thing did I say?" He's like, I say?" He's like, I say?" He's like, "You were totally wrong. You confused "You were totally wrong. You confused "You were totally wrong. You confused something that Luke Skywalker did with something that Luke Skywalker did with something that Luke Skywalker did with something that Han Solo did." He said, something that Han Solo did." He said, something that Han Solo did." He said, "At least you admitted ahead of time "At least you admitted ahead of time "At least you admitted ahead of time that you didn't know what you were that you didn't know what you were that you didn't know what you were talking about. [laughter] talking about. [laughter] talking about. [laughter] At least you did that. There's nothing At least you did that. There's nothing At least you did that. There's nothing worse than like getting halfway into an worse than like getting halfway into an worse than like getting halfway into an illustration as you're speaking you're illustration as you're speaking you're illustration as you're speaking you're like like like what am I doing? This is not going well. what am I doing? This is not going well. what am I doing? This is not going well. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> This This is not going to go well. Why >> This This is not going to go well. Why >> This This is not going to go well. Why am I here? I've got to go to the am I here? I've got to go to the am I here? I've got to go to the bathroom. Like there's bathroom. Like there's bathroom. Like there's Every pastor thinks that.