ESV Interview: Is translation effected by doctrine?

It is of note that the group of scholars who wrote the ESV include some great giants of evangelicalism. I wonder how important to the accurate translation of the Bible is an evangelical faith. How much does the doctrine one believes in influence the act of translation and the philosophy which lies behind it?

Watch Paul House respond (Windows Media).

We’re often asked how our evangelical convictions affect our translation principles. I would answer in the following way. Just for myself, I can say as an evangelical Christian I believe that every word in the Bible is God’s Word written. Thus any sort of efforts and all efforts we can make to make sure that his Word is translated accurately would be important.

We believe that God’s Word is important and sufficient for the following activities. We believe that it’s important and sufficient for preaching. So, as an evangelical, I want pastors and preachers to have a translation that clearly shows the structure of a verse, that shows the connections in a verse, that helps them explain the Bible to God’s people.

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As an evangelical, I think the Bible teaches us how tornlive. It’s very important for ethics, so we want to be as clear as we canrnon the ethical teachings of the Scriptures.

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All this means that Christians have to read the Bible.rnThey have to have a solid, readable, accurate translation. So as anrnevangelical, the best way to help God’s people hear the Word of God andrnlive the Word of God is to have the Word of God as clear and accurate andrnstrong as we possibly can.

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#2

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ArnBible translation often obtains favor only in a narrow circle within the churchrnand or in certain denominational groups. It seems from the internet that arnbroader spectrum of Christians are being drawn to the ESV from differentrnbackgrounds. Are you encouraged by that?

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“,1] ); //–>I also, as an evangelical, believe strongly in world evangelization. So I’m excited about the ESV being translated into Standard English so it can be used around the world. I’m very exited about the Worldwide Bible Society, the (Christian) Standard Bible Society trying to get the Bible into the hands of as many people around the world as possible.

As an evangelical, I think the Bible teaches us how to live. It’s very important for ethics, so we want to be as clear as we can on the ethical teachings of the Scriptures.

All this means that Christians have to read the Bible. They have to have a solid, readable, accurate translation. So as an evangelical, the best way to help God’s people hear the Word of God and live the Word of God is to have the Word of God as clear and accurate and strong as we possibly can.