Why Bible Translation

We believe everyone needs access to the Bible in a language they understand clearly, and that speaks to their heart.

Why?

The Bible is the ‘’Word of God’. It is a collection of 66 books, written by a variety of authors over a long period of time, all inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.

“The Bible is God’s self-revelation to humanity. The Bible also tells us who we are. It tells us of our sin and of God’s plan of salvation in Jesus Christ.”*

Throughout history, people and communities have been transformed as they engage with God’s written Word, and they find salvation in Christ.

At Wycliffe, we believe that everyone deserves to have God’s Word in their own language so that they can best understand and experience the freedom and hope found through God’s written revelation.

We believe Bible translation is a crucial part of involvement in God’s mission in the world, to live out and share the good news of God’s Kingdom, making disciples of all nations. Therefore, the wider mission of God is ultimately the basis for what we do. We believe a genuine and appropriate motivation for God’s mission is established in an understanding of God’s evangelistic character and the command of Christ (Matt 28:18-20), a response to His demonstration of love, and a realistic appreciation for the condition of people without God. When this is our motivation, taking part in the commission is a joyful participation, rather than a dutiful obligation.

*What is the purpose of the Bible? GotQuestions.org, 2023, 23 May.

Bible translation as holistic mission

We view Bible translation as a holistic mission – it ministers to the whole person, not solely spiritual or physical needs. Bible translation involves working with people at some of the very basic, human-worth levels of interaction (i.e. language and culture), meaning it inherently addresses the holistic needs of the individual.

The nature of the work demonstrates care for people as people, and a concern for their well-being and rights, in a number of ways:

Bible translation often requires work in many aspects of language development such as developing an alphabet for a previously unwritten language or creating valuable language learning materials. Such efforts explicitly signify a high value for the local language, which displays respect for the culture and identity a language holds. This, in turn, gives a sense of value to members of minority language communities. In some cases, language development work meets the needs of marginalised people whose national authorities have lacked the technical resources needed to include them in formulating educational or development policies. Language development gives hope for dignity and equality.
Literacy and other education-related activities are an integral part of a translation project, ensuring the people who will be receiving Scripture can read and write in their language. Providing literacy materials and programmes also opens the door to new opportunities they were previously denied. Literacy development enables higher education and also gives people the ability to understand essential information such as government publications or life-giving healthcare information. Literacy and education create hope for a greater future.
Having access to the message of hope found in the Bible is just the first step in seeing lives and communities transformed by God’s Word. Scripture engagement programmes work with people during and after Scripture has been translated to assist them in engaging with God’s Word. Just as you and I have access to teaching and writings about the Word in our language, Scripture engagement initiatives enable people to better understand and respond to God’s Word, teaching them to apply it in their everyday lives. Scripture engagement ensures hope impacts lives.

Courtesy of Wycliffe Bible Translators UK

Bible translation as a commitment to the indigenous church

We additionally view Bible translation as an appropriate outworking of God’s mission in the way it communicates Christ to others at the direct level of Scripture – God’s full and definitive revelation of himself in Christ. We see Bible translation as sowing the seed, not transplanting churches; lighting a spark, not establishing an institution.

This is not to say that the Bible translation movement is unconcerned with the church – it is vitally concerned and involved. However, we are committed to the indigenous church – not one we have structured in our culture, but one that is raised up by the Spirit of God, out of people’s living response to His Word in their language. When translated into the heart language, God’s Word can be better understood at a level that allows reflection, study and application, guided by the Holy Spirit. Reading Scripture in one's own language enables people to come to know God through His Word, rather than just relying on teachings about Him from others. This gives the local church freedom to develop in Christ.

The total scope of Bible translation is much more than merely translating a text.

Bible translation involves disciple-making, church-building, resourcing the church, reaching unreached people groups, and helping the marginalised. We do not view the translated Bible as the end goal, but simply as a means towards a greater end of transforming lives and communities with the truth of God’s Word.