Article November 13, 1995 Issue

Scripture feeds the soul

Carol Winograd

Carol Winograd, who writes a weekly column for The Flint Enquirer in Michigan, shares her thoughts on a new translation of the Bible and a best-selling key to the Scriptures.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This wonderful passage from the King James Version of the Bible describes clearly the spiritual nature of the Bible's message. The Word was God. God is Spirit, so the Word of God describes the spiritual, Godlike nature of all things. When we read the Bible are we able to glean from it the spiritual food for which we hunger?

Earlier this year, a new Bible arrived in bookstores, and an article about it appeared in my local newspaper. The Contemporary English Version, as it is called, seeks to clarify the Scriptures and make them more easily understood. "The truth can't set you free if you can't understand it," says one of the slogans used in an advertising campaign for the book. According to the article, the translation team of the American Bible Society was not just seeking to upgrade the language, but also sought a clearer understanding of the words. For example, it translates one of the Ten Commandments to read "Be faithful in marriage" instead of "Thou shalt not commit adultery." According to the translators, "This seemed like a more positive way to say it."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"I turned to the Bible for some light ..."