I'll put it to you like this; we all realize to some degree that the Bible was written over a long period of time in a variety of circumstances and contexts. None of which are similar to ours. We are separated from the events in the Bible not only by time; but also by language, religion; as well as culture and worldview. I'm sure most (if not all) Christians wish to travel back in time to witness some biblical story as it happened, but the truth is we probably wouldn't understand what in the world was going on unless we happened to understand Hebrew or Aramaic. So in a very real, practical sense there are barriers between us and the words in our English bible. We don't necessarily even have the original words of Jesus because he didn't speak Greek and the manuscripts we have are all in Greek. I don't mean to imply that our English translations are completely unreliable, I only mean to say that we need to keep in mind that we are removed from the original context of what we are reading. Therefore, in my opinion the translations we use are not entirely self sufficient when it comes to providing a well rounded and accurate picture of what the Scriptures are trying to communicate.
Now I can see a reader becoming unsettled by this and shifting uncomfortably in their seat. Now before you press the heresy button in your mind let me explain further. I have listened to discussions where it was basically said that the believer together with the Holy Spirit residing in him is completely capable of properly interpreting Scripture in and of himself. So I know it sounds like I'm saying that the Bible is not easily understood by the average believer. Isn't the Holy Spirit sufficient to supply all necessary knowledge about the Bible?
I would like to remind the reader of a story. The story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. We all are familiar with story. The two men unknowingly encounter the risen Messiah, they explain to him their anguished disappointment at Jesus's death. The Masters response is mysteriously epic.
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
I can't stress enough what this means for us. Here's why; we can reasonably assume that the two disciples had personally witnessed the Master's ministry. They almost certainly were Jews and obviously familiar with the language and culture. And Jesus went through the entire "Old" Testament explaining what it said about him! If those two first century disciples, who had seen the ministry of Jesus needed this to be explained explained to them, how much more so do we?
This brings me back around to my original point about Biblical inspiration. I believe we need to rethink how the Holy Spirit works in our lives and through the written text. It is through our personal study and striving to understand the original context of the Bible that the Holy Spirit does the work of revelation. So as I know, the Spirit doesn't miraculously allow us to understand Greek, or Hebrew, or Aramaic. That's our job.
In conclusion the words of Bible are embedded in ancient languages and specific worldview. We have it on the best authority that the Bible is chock full of insights about Jesus. If we are unfamiliar with those languages and worldview then we won't comprehend the fullness of what they are able to tell us about our anointed Messiah. Something to think about.
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