Wycliffe, SIL Issue Guidelines on Translating the Term, 'Son of God' Among Muslims

Christianity Today ^ | 10/14/2011 | Collin Hansen

[SeekAndFind]

Following criticism from many quarters and official rebuke from the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), Wycliffe Bible Translators and its primary implementing partner, SIL International, issued new guidelines in August saying familial language for God should normally be maintained in the text of Bible translations.

SIL convened an August meeting in Istanbul for translators and consultants to set standards. They then released a best practices statement that reaffirms belief in the eternal deity of Jesus Christ and says, "Scripture translations should promote understanding of the term 'Son of God' in all its richness, including his filial relationship with the Father, while avoiding any possible implication of sexual activity by God."

Many Muslims balk at the Bible's familial language, because the Qur'an teaches that God could not have a son. Yet critics have pushed back against some translations promoted by scholars connected to SIL that substituted "Christ" for "Son of God" in order to avoid turning off Muslim readers.

The new statement satisfies some scholars by affirming the importance of the relationship between the divine Son and his Father. Still, SIL has preserved some wiggle room for translators, saying such terms "should normally be maintained in the text but should not be insisted upon at the expense of comprehension." The process laid out in the statement allows translators to consider non-literal translations of "Son of God" so long as they "conserve as much of the familial meaning as possible" and include the literal translation in the paratext (such as footnotes or introductions).

A similar statement also released in August by Wycliffe and prepared in Orlando affirms that in most cases the literal translation of "Son of God" will be preferred. It also requires any alternatives meant to avoid confusion among Muslims to maintain the concept of sonship.

[silverleaf]

“Many Muslims balk at the Bible’s familial language, because the Qur’an teaches that God could not have a son.”

But but but, don’t we all worship the same God?

and Lord knows, we wouldn’t want the Bible to offend the muslims...

(sarc)

[heartwood]

And yet the Muslims accept the Virgin Birth. If God can cause a woman to bear a human son without intercourse, then he can cause a woman to bear His Son without intercourse, if that Son can exist at all. It is not a problem of “how” but a problem of “whether.”

[Citizen Tom Paine]

The translators should follow the original Koine. Or they are not translators, they are something else - perhaps fiction writers.

[noprogs]

This is easy to explain to a Muslim. I have done it a few times, and you usually see a light turn on. Sometimes it makes them a little p-o ed.....but it will pass.

Here’s how it goes...

Muslim: You are a polytheist since you believe in
three gods; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Reply: Look at yourself for an explanation. You are
someone’s son, someone’s father and someone’s
husband. Does that mean you are three people?
Of course not. You are one person with three
roles in life.

Do NOT overcomplicate things.

[dartuser]

You are someone’s son, someone’s father and someone’s husband. Does that mean you are three people? Of course not. You are one person with three roles in life.

Do NOT overcomplicate things.

The Bible teaches that there are in fact 3 distinct persons in the Godhead, not merely one God with 3 different roles (as your illustration is suggesting).

The baptism of Jesus is proof of this; Jesus came up out of the water, the Spirit descended on Him, and the Father spoke from heaven. Three distinct persons, not one person with three distinct roles.

[fishtank]

Not to mention Jesus in the garden... to whom was Jesus praying? Himself? Of course not!

[Tea Party Terrorist]

His flesh praying to His spirit. Prayer is an act of submission. I thought trinitarianism said all “3” were “co-equal?” Any true co-equal would never submit.

[fishtank]

“His flesh praying to His spirit.”

Would you mind saying what your church affiliation is?

That would be helpful.

I can think of four or five possibilities....

[one Lord one faith one baptism]

would you mind disclosing yours if you are going to ask others theirs?

[fishtank]

When I first got saved I went to a Dallas Theological affiliated church, then an EFCA church, now I’m in a C&MA congregation.

All conservative evangelical non-mainline Protestant outfits. I am a Trinitarian Christian, I consider myself to hold to the 5 points of Calvinism, but I’m not “Reformed” in that I hold to dispensational theology, and I believe in a literal millennium.

Jesus promises salvation to those who believe in Him, a good summary is in John 5:24 where three promises by Him are given.

PS , good to see you again, I didn’t expect to see you on this fork of the road.

[one Lord one faith one baptism]

thank you for your response.

for anyone reading, i am a “papist” as mr fishtank refers to us, LOL!

[Jemian]

This has been posted on the Wycliffe Blog today:

Statement on “Son of God” Translation

February 1, 2012 by Wycliffe Bible Translators USA

Wycliffe is not omitting or removing the familial terms, translated in English as “Son of God” or “Father,” from any Scripture translation. Erroneous information and rumors on the internet have recently raised questions concerning this issue.

Wycliffe remains committed to the same objectives we’ve held sacred for 80 years: accurate and clear translation of Scripture. Wycliffe never has and never will be involved in a translation which does not translate these terms. The eternal deity of Jesus Christ and the understanding of Jesus’ relationship with God the Father must be preserved in every translation.

Wycliffe personnel are committed to working alongside language communities and other partners to translate God’s Word with great care from the original languages of Scripture into the languages of the world’s people so that all may know the redeeming love and glory of God–Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

---

My husband and I work on a Bible translation team associated with Wycliffe in Southeast Asia. We are not translators ourselves; we facillitate the work of the translators by providing a godly education for their children. So, I have been checking our policy as per this issue. I do not know any translator who would sacrifice the meaning of the Word of God in favor of political correctness.

My own statement of faith includes the following:

I want to affirm that my understanding of Holy Writ is that God is one God and He has manifested Himself in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. He was born of the Virgin Mary, who conceived when the Holy Spirit came upon her. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, the perfect sacrifice for our sins, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose from the dead. He ascended into heaven. He is seated on the right hand of God the Father.

Yes, that does sound a whole lot like the Apostle’s Creed. The creed is a very succinct statement of belief. Therefore, I have used it.