The brief History of Bible Translation (From Medieval Period to Reformation Period)

Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans 10:17 says that, 'faith comes by hearing'. The beginning, progress, and strength of faith is possible only by hearing God’s Word. Understanding the importance of God’s Word to bring the Goths into Christian faith Ulfilas the father of Bible translation translated Bible from Greek to the language of Goths several years before St. Jerome begins to work on his Latin text. St. Jerome who produced Vulgates said, 'Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ'. Jacques Leferve the famous Bible Scholar of Medieval period said, “God will reform His Church according to His Scripture”. 

The same understanding, fervor, zeal and spirit prompted the Pre-Reformers and Reformers to have a vision to see God’s Word in the hands of women and cobblers, clowns and mechanics and even in the hands of the Turks. God used both the Pre – Reformers and, Reformers mightily to make His Word available to the commoners in the midst of adverse backdrop in which the Medieval Church confined God’s Word to the learned and priests. The clergies prefer to corner the source of Christian truth, keeping for themselves the privilege of interpreting it for the people. Translation into vulgar tongues was discouraged. Let’s take a brief Historical survey of the movements and individuals whom God used to make His Word available to the common people to Reform His Church during the Medieval and reformation period.

The strongest medieval demand for vernacular texts first came from the supposed heretical sect, Albigenses or Cathari, about 1770 in France. Second, The Waldensians movement was started by Peter Waldo 1175 or 1176 A. D. He had translations made from the Latin New Testament into the vernacular, which formed the basis of his evangelism. John Wycliffe and his followers produce full English versions of the Old and New Testament in the late 14th century. At the same period the Czechs have their own vernacular Bible, subsequently much improved by John Huss. Erasmus, who translated New Testament from Greek into Latin, expressed his wishes that Bible should be translated in every language - so that even Scots and Irishmen might read it. Luther translated Bible into German language based on the advice of Melanchthon his friend and lieutenant in the Reformation. William Tyndale had translated Bible into English language which became the major source of King James Version (1604 – 1611 A.D.). Tyndale paid for his offense with his life being burned at the stake in 1536. The Geneva Bible is an early English translation of the Bible. It is called Geneva Bible because it was published in Geneva in 1560. The translation work was done by who Protestant leaders who fled to Geneva, Switzerland, to avoid the persecution in England. Building upon earlier English translations such as those done by William Tyndale and Myles Coverdale, the Geneva Bible was the first English translation in which all of the Old Testament was translated directly from Hebrew manuscripts. Much of the translation work was done by William Whittingham, the brother-in-law of John Calvin. This new English Bible was dedicated to Queen Elizabeth I, who had been crowned Queen of England in 1558 after the death of Queen Mary I. 

The Bible in vernacular languages, was a central demand of the Protestant Reformation because they, accepted Bible as the final authority of all questions of faith and moral. They all believed only God’s Word can bring transformation in the lives of the individuals and in the life of the Church as well.  Therefore, they endangered their lives to translate God’s Word into various vernacular. Are we thankful to God forgiving His life transforming Word into our vernacular languages as we celebrate the 500^th anniversary of Protestant Reformation?

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

The Biblical Lifestyle (Ephesians 4: 25-32): Devotional Thought from Church History.

Spiritual and god fearing lifestyle would bring many to Christ. Whereas our ungodly and contentious lifestyle would certainly be a stumbling block for one’s salvation. Therefore, Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4: 25-32 exhorted believers to be distinctive in the areas of Morality (V: 25), Moods (V: 26-27), Money (V: 28), Mouths (V: 29-30), Manners (V: 31-32).

John of Monte Corvino the Franciscan was the first Catholic missionary to China in 1289. He worked largely in the Mongol tongue, translated the New Testament and the book of Psalms and had baptized 6000 converts. His successor Blessed Odoric arrived China in 1326 his 16 years faithful hard work had brought 20,000 converts to the Church.  But, the soar relationship, argument and contention between the Franciscan Friars and Nestorians (open this link to know Nestorianism https://carm.org/nestorianism) had slowdown the growth of the Church at that time in China.  The other notable Roman Catholic missionary to China was Matteo Ricci the Jesuit (1552 – 1610). He de-westernized himself completely, learned Chinese language, culture and Confucianism one of China’s major religions thoroughly. He worked among the educated and elite people in China.  His work among them had brought 2000 genuine Chinese believers to Christian faith. But, the other Roman Catholic missionaries like Franciscans, Dominicans and Augustinians envied the growing success of the Jesuits. They carried the case to Rome and the Jesuits appealed to the Chinese emperor their supporter. Finally, missionaries’ attack on each other made the emperor to expel all the missionaries from China.

Can you imagine the impact we would have in our society if we lived according to the Biblical lifestyle? The lifestyle of Righteous and faithful would heal the frictions in our families and society, and that, would bring many to Christ and to His salvation. But, the contentious and argumentative lifestyle would cause great damage to our families, society and to Christ’s Church. Let’s pray to God, “Holy Spirit take control of my life make me the kind of person you want me to be”. Amen.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj 

I Will Sing of My Redeemer 1 Peter 1:18-19

Once, Pastor A.J. Gordon presbyter of a Church in Boston bought the birds from a boy carrying them in rusty cage. He took the birds to his garden and let those struggling creatures soar into the sky. When the birds were redeemed and released it seemed to him as if they were singing, ‘Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed!” Like those redeemed birds, we have thousands of reasons to praise God, and the chief among them is we are redeemed not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:6).

There is joy, peace and hope in “singing of our Redeemer” even in the midst of our trials.  Philip Paul Bliss the writer of the hymn “I Will Sing of My Redeemer” dedicated his entire life to sing praises to his Redeemer. Bliss and his wife Lucy traveled extensively, spreading the Gospel through singing. In December 28, 1876 evangelist D.L. Moody invited them to serve the Lord through their singing in his evangelistic meeting held at Chicago. In that meeting Bliss told that “He will not meet them again as He’s Going to his Hometown Tomorrow. His words and song proved to be prophetic. On the 29th of December, 1876, Bliss and his wife boarded a train back to Pennsylvania. As their train was crossing over a river in Ashtabula, Ohio, the bridge suddenly gave way and all the carriages fell into the freezing waters below. He escaped through the window, but enter into glory in trying to save his wife. After his death the hymn “I Will Sing of My Redeemer,” was found in a piece of baggage among Bliss’ belongings.

Friends, because we have a Redeemer, we are forgiven. We have a Redeemer, to intercede for us in our weakness and in the time of our trouble.  Since we have Redeemer we have comfort in life, that though we fall we shall not be utterly cast down. Since our Redeemer lives, this shall be our faith that we shall see Him when we reach our eternal Hometown. Therefore let’s not forget to “Sing of our Redeemer” at all time.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

SEEK GOD AND YOU WILL FIND HIM (JEREMIAH 29:14)

The meaning for the word “SEEK GOD” in Jeremiah 29:14 is to give ultimate priority to God. But, God’s people in exile gave priority to everything else except to God who was nearer to save and to deliver them (Jeremiah 2:13). Like God’s people in exile we too are busy and self – observed to seek God.

Blaise Pascal, one of the greatest intellects of the Western world, had an unquenchable thirst to learn. He was born into an upper – class family in central France on June 19, 1623. After his mother’s death his father moved his family to Paris. There he homeschooled his three children, starting with the study of languages that they wouldn’t be preoccupied with the fascination of mathematics. But, precocious Basil had taught himself geometry and wrote a book on the geometry of cones at the age of sixteen. Pascal invented the first mechanical calculating machine when he was nineteen. Pascal also originated the theory of probability. In the field of physics he discovered a principle known as Pascal’s Law, which is the foundation of modern hydraulics.

God was not too far to this genius. His thirst for God and for His Word prompted him to read Bible thoroughly. Pascal’s inquiring mind devoured Bible as well as scientific data. Just as he learned geometry on his own, so his spiritual journey to belief was a private one. On the night Pascal put his faith in Christ he wrote: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, but, not of the philosophers and scholars (WORLDLY)……… He is to be found only by the ways taught in the Gospel……… “Righteous Father, the world has not known thee, but I have known thee”……. Let me not never be separated from Him.  Before he died Pascal wrote a classic defense of the Christian faith that published posthumously under the title PENSEES.

Pascal found God because he sought Him. Likewise, God sought Pascal and found him. Are you seeking God? Do you give priority to God in all the areas of your life?  “If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me, I will be found by you,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:13-14.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

Advantages in Adversities

Acts 12: 5-11

Introduction

We all know William Carey as Father of Modern mission but the careful study of history will teach us the truth that he was also a man of suffering and adversities. Carey and his wife Dorothy lost their three small children. In India Dorothy progressively lost her sanity and died eventually. The adversity List Goes on There was official opposition from the British East India Company which did not want missionaries in India. There was the disastrous fire in 1812 at the mission printing plant that destroyed years of Carey's translation work. There were repeated attacks of malaria and cholera, impoverished living conditions, insufficient funds to eke out even a minimal existence. Carey had to take up secular employment just to survive. In spite of all Carey himself wrote of the disaster to Dr. Ryland:--"25th March 1812. The loss is very great, and will long be severely felt; yet I can think of a hundred circumstances which would have made it much more difficult to bear. The Lord has smitten us, he had a right to do so, and we deserve his corrections. I wish to submit to His sovereign will, nay, cordially to acquiesce therein, and to examine myself rigidly to see what in me has contributed to this evil.

Christianity is not religion of ease and comfort. From its beginning to today it has been facing struggles and adversities. History testifies that the Church prospered not in the midst of peace but in the midst of much opposition. Here in the text Apostle Peter and the believer had gone through much sufferings and adversities. Yet, they found Advantages in their adversities. Let’s learn the advantages that Peter and believer found in their adversities.

Advantages in Adversities (Acts 12: 5-11)

First, in V: 5 we learn that the adversities made Peter and the believers to Pray or to stand  on their knees before God. Every adversity in our life make us to kneel before God. Are we kneel down before God in our adversities? Second, from (V: 6-7) we learn that adversities made Peter to experience God’s very presence in the room where he was confined to. Adversities not only take us nearer to God but it also brings God nearer to us. Third, from (V: 8-10) we learn that Peter and believers experienced God’s power. The chains were broken and iron doors were opened. They could not stand before God. Adversities manifests God’s power in our day to day life. Finally, from (V: 11) we learn that it changed Peter’s perspective of faith in Jesus. When he came to his realization he confessed that God had set him from the hands of Herod and from the evil plans of Jews. He learned God is able to save and to protect His people from the adversities they go through. Are you going through difficulties? Facing adversities in your life? It is not to destroy your faith in God but to strengthen it.

Conclusion: Every believer has a decided advantage over the world and all the trouble it brings. Those who are in Christ are secure within His mighty hand. He loved us enough to die for our sin on Calvary. He isn’t about to abandon us in the journey of life! Amen

Yours in His Service

G. Paul Raj

The Friend of God

Introduction: No greater praise could be given to any mortal man than to say he is the friend of God. Three times in the Bible Abraham called the friend of God (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23). Let’s, trace out some of the predominant characteristics that made Abraham to become God’s friend. No doubt these same traits transferred to our lives will cause us to be God's friends (John 15:14).

1. Faithfulness: Friendship is built on mutual faithfulness between two friends. God was faithful to Abraham and Abraham faithfully obeyed God all that He commanded him to do (Genesis 12 and Hebrews 11:8 -10). He was not only a man of faith but also a man of faithfulness. Are we faithful in our friendship with God and others?   
2. Promptness: Friendship is proven in promptness of obedience and help to one another. God was at his help and in response he obeyed God promptly (Genesis 21:2; Hebrew 11:8-10). If we obey to His commands promptly as true friend He will promptly rescue us from our trouble (Proverbs 1:33; Psalm 50: 14-15).   
3. Devoted: Friendship is sustained through lifelong commitment to one another. Abraham was devoted to God all through his life (Genesis 12:8). God committed to protect and to provide all that Abraham needed (Genesis 15:1-3). We too need to build more altars into various walks of our life to maintain our friendship with God.
4. Unselfishness: Unselfishness makes friendship brighter and brighter. Jesus demonstrated His unselfish love by dying for His friends selflessly (John 15:13-14).  As a friend and intercessor (Genesis 18:19) Abraham, entreated God not to destroy the righteous along with wicked of Sodom and Gomorrah. We are called to be His friends not to approach God with our selfish desires but to have compassionate hearts and a deep concern for the salvation of the lost, no matter what their sins may be. (9:1-3; 10:1).

Conclusion: Abraham and God communicated well with each other like friends (Genesis 18:17).  However, friendship with God is not only a matter of privilege but also a matter of obligations discussed above.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj

Spiritual Landmines

Introduction: Landmines prevents the advancement of enemy’s force. It will either kill or lame all those step in it.  Therefore, soldiers are to use the detector wisely before they walk on. There are, spiritual landmines too, used by Satan to, lame our walk with God and to destroy God’s will in our life. But, we are given His Word to diffuse devil’s landmine kept on our path. Let’s find spiritual landmines set by the enemy in the light of the Scripture.  

I. Pride: It causes damage to our spiritual life. It is the sign of one’s destruction (Proverbs 16:18), above all God hates the proud and stand against them (Psalm 6:17; 1 Peter 5:5). The powerful instrument to diffuse the landmine “pride” is humility (James 4:10). Let’s also know that “to be boastful of our humility is another form of pride.

II. Hypocrisy: It is another potential landmine to destroy our walk before God. The hypocrite has no hope when his soul departs (Job 27:8). They can do untold damage with their mouth (Proverbs 11:9). But, the triumphing of hypocrite is short ant their joy is for moment (Job 20: 4-5).

III. Unbelief: It is devil’s another sneaking landmine. Often believers are hit by it badly and departed from the living God (Hebrews 3:12). Faith in the living God is the only weapon to destroy this landmine because: "without faith it is impossible to please him (Hebrews 11:6). Except Joshua and Caleb others could not entered into the Promised Land because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). Let’s believe what we have heard (Hebrews 2:1).

IV. Indifference: We are often indifferent to worldliness in our churches and families without knowing its consequences (John 2:15-17). To avoid worldliness first, we are to come out of it. Second, let’s set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth.'" (Col. 3:2.). Third, we are to obey to what God says in Romans 12:2. We tend to be indifferent to the needs of the needy in our midst. Worldliness sometimes deafens our ears to God’s call for repentance.  

V. Unforgiveness: The landmine “Unforgiveness” is potential enough to separate the families, divide the church and to harm the harmony between us and God.  We often chose not to forgive others (Matthew 18:21) thus invite self-infliction upon us (Matthew 18:35). Therefore let us forgive others as Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32).  

Conclusion: Friends, today we are made aware of spiritual landmines which are potential to destroy us eternally. Let’s guard ourselves from them by the power of God the Holy Spirit.

Yours in His service

G. Paul Raj