The Interpreter Unit 3

After completing this section, you will be able to: I. Explain the following terms: assumption, formal equivalent translation, functional equivalent translation, interpreter, paraphrase, and translation. II. Discuss and illustrate the relationship between an assumption and an interpretation. III. Compare and contrast the strengths and weakness of the various Bible translations.

I. Basic Definitions 1. Assumption – A statement that is considered true by an individual. God Aliens Pork Antichrist Life after death Morality Transsexuality 2. Formal equivalent translation – This type of translation attempts to make the text word-for-word, sometimes at the expense of natural expression in the target language. Interlinear: Genesis 1:5 - “And ´Élöhîm אֱלֹהִים 430 called 7121 z8799 the light 216 Day, 3117 and the darkness 2822 he called 7121 z8804 Night. 3915 And the evening 6153 and the morning 1242 were x1961 the first 259 day.” 3. Functional equivalent translation – This type of translation attempts to express the thought articulated in the original manuscripts, sometimes at the expense of literalness and original word order.

I. Basic Definitions 4. Interpreter – An individual who explains what the Bible means; no one merely reads the Bible; rather, everyone reads and interprets the Bible. 5. Paraphrase – This kind of literature attempts to restate the biblical message, using additional words in order to help with the explanatory process. Redneck Interpretation: In the beginning, before God got to creating stuff there weren't much around. 'Cept darkness and water. Nothing else, though. God would fix that PDQ.

I. Basic Definitions 6. Translation – The resultant text that comes about by rendering something into one language from another language. Autograph (Hebrew/Greek) Copies Translation

II. Assumptions and Interpretation

II. Assumptions and Interpretation How did the pantheistic assumptions of this environmental group affect the way they treat trees? What assumptions would cause a Christian to act differently around trees?   Why is it important for someone to have the correct assumptions when he or she approaches the Bible? Conclusion A person’s assumptions greatly determine the conclusions that he or she will make in regards to every facet of human experience.   In order to arrive at the correct interpretation, individuals must approach the Bible with the correct assumptions.

Group Activity

III. Bible Translations The Ideal Situation Learners would be able to read Hebrew and Greek; since most students do not have these skills, they should desire to study the best English translations.

III. Bible Translations   Formal Equivalent Dynamic/Functional Equivalent Paraphrase Pros This translation stays closer to the original Hebrew/Greek text in both form and language; it is at times known as a word-for-word translation. This translation stays true to the thought of the original Hebrew/Greek text in order to allow the modern audience to experience the words with the same simplicity as the original audience; it is at times referred to as a thought-for-thought translation. This translation is the easiest translation to read; it simplifies the language and adds clarifying words to the text to help explain the meaning to current readers. Cons It gives up the natural flow that the original audience would have experienced. It is less literal than a formal equivalent translation; some translators question the liberty that functional translations use on gender specific language, structural changes, and modernized word choices. Many scholars would not consider a paraphrase a translation because it changes the original text too much by adding extra concepts and phrases.

Example: Genesis 1:1-2a In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void (English Standard Version). In the beginning, when God created the universe, the earth was formless and desolate (Good News Translation).   First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don’t see. Earth was a soup of nothingness (Message Bible)

III. Bible Translations Which Translation? 1. A paraphrase is great when reading through the Bible in a year since the goal is to understand the big picture of the Bible. 2. A functional equivalent translation is good to have for ordinary usage (church, devotion, etc.) and for scriptural memorization since clarity is important for comprehension and for exposition. 3. A formal equivalent translation is the best resource for a detailed Bible study since it aligns with the autographs most closely. 4. Because of its poetic language, the KJV is beneficial to use at weddings and formal events. However, this is not the best translation to use on a regular basis because it is based on later manuscripts and some of its language is obsolete.

WHAT HAVE WE COVERED SO FAR? INTRODUCTION TO HERMENEUTICS SURVEY OF INTERPRETIVE METHODS THE INTERPRETER