Editorial March 23, 1946 Issue

Right Interpretation

Margaret Morrison

Today a great deal is being heard about interpretation in its meaning of a "turning from one language into another." Delays result in the making of decisions when nations of different languages are conferring one with another, and many misunderstandings occur because of faulty interpretation or unskilled interpreters. The interpretation of one language in another is of vast importance to the world today when the interdependence of nations is inescapable. Surely the great necessity of such interpretation is not so much that the words be exact as that the thought, the motive and purpose impelling the words, be accurately apprehended and set forth. This illustrates the great need of the world that Life should be interpreted aright, translated from the language of matter into that of Spirit, from that of the senses into that of Mind.

The Bible gives us many vivid stories of those called upon to be interpreters of dreams, of signs and wonders—such as Joseph and Daniel. These men never sought a private interpretation, but invariably turned to their God for the true revelation, and brought justice and deliverance to each situation. Elihu, endeavoring to turn Job from a sorry contemplation of his own suffering and self-righteousness, said, "If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom."

Christ Jesus is of course the most exact and inspired interpreter of Life that the world has known. By interpreting God as Spirit and man as the expression of Spirit he indeed showed "unto man his uprightness." Not only by word did he translate God spiritually, but by deed he revealed the nature and power of Spirit. Through right interpretation of God he healed the sick, fed the multitude, and raised the dead. Jesus knew the Father and interpreted Him so clearly that he could say to Philip, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

"I will place them"