Communication

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Too many Christian authors today are using paraphrases as Scripture translations. The problem is: they are not. And the misuse of paraphrases as Scripture is beginning to permeate our literature.

I just finished a good book. Within the 176 pages of text the author gave 134 quotes from seven different versions of the Bible. Of those 134 quotes, sixty of them were from a paraphrased text. That’s almost half. The direct quotes from the New International Version, Contemporary English Version, Amplified Bible, The Living Bible, King James Version and the New King James Version combined barely surpassed the total direct quotes from one paraphrased text: The Message.

Paraphrases are not translations. A translation, by very definition, is an accurate portrayal of one language to another. A paraphrase, in contrast, is taking something already translated and re-phrasing it to better say what it means.

There is nothing wrong with paraphrasing! The problem comes when readers are led to believe that a paraphrase is the same as Scripture. It’s like quoting Cliff’s Notes instead of the actual text. It makes no sense.

And who knows the mind of God that he can accurately re-phrase His words to tell us what God really means? Scripture assures us that no one comes close to understanding the mind of God. (Isaiah 40:13-14; Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 2:16) Even men who have devoted their entire lives to understanding God and His character are only able to scratch the surface. He is infinitely greater than our minds can comprehend.

Please understand I am not accusing paraphrases of lying. I am not suggesting that they are false doctrines or specifically misleading. I am simply saying that they are not Scripture. They are paraphrases – not translations. They contain truths, but they also contain personal interpretations and suggestions by the authors.

Say these authors are inspired by God to write what they write. (And I certainly hope that they have prayerfully approached their project!) Perhaps even their interpretations are given by God. That still does not make their paraphrase a translation of God-breathed Scripture.

Let’s evaluate the canon. There are thousands of texts written about God, spirituality and Jesus the Christ, but not all of them are included in the Bible. Requirements were established to determine which were holy and to be included and which were not. We must evaluate these authors in light of these guidelines before calling their works Scripture. If they do not stand under the given requirements, then we need to stop quoting them as God-breathed. Quote them as commentaries, as paraphrases, as wonderful Christians’ points of view. But do be mislead into thinking they are the same as our Holy Bible.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” -- 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God’s Scripture is the foundation of our faith, containing the basis and truths of our salvation. We cannot mess with it. It must remain pure. It must be set apart – holy. I don’t care what version of the Bible you use. Just be sure it is a translation of the Bible and not someone else version of what the Bible says. Go directly to the Source! You won’t be sorry.

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