Evangelism used to mean teaching people and cultures about what God taught us about Himself. For Wycliffe Bible Translators it means changing God to suit the culture. The culture in question? Muslims of course. You can’t make this kind of stupid up.
(AP) — One of the largest Bible translators in the world is undergoing an independent review after critics claimed language in some of its translations intended for Muslim countries fail to present God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Critics say substituting words like “Messiah” for “Son” and “Lord” instead of “Father” distorts the Christian doctrine of the Trinity in a misguided effort to avoid offending Muslims, who believe Allah has no son and Jesus was a prophet.
Wycliffe Bible Translators responds that concepts relating God to family members don’t make sense in some cultures, so the language needs to reflect that. Wycliffe is involved in more than 1,500 Bible translation programs in 90 countries.
The World Evangelical Alliance is appointing a panel of scholars to review Wycliffe’s translation policies. Wycliffe president Bob Creson says the organization won’t publish any disputed materials until after the panel releases its findings.
SO even though God himslef taught us to think of Him as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Wycliffe dispenses with that. I cannot help but wonder if they would have changed it for a culture not so prone to chopping off heads? Just asking.
