Issue 11 Fall 2009 Stories of lives changed by God s Word www.biblicaministry.com
William Tyndale gives his life for Bible translation. Bible Translation Then and Now Parate viam Domini rectas facite semitas eius. (Latin Vulgate) Matthew 3:3 In 382 A.D., the Bible was translated into Latin. For centuries afterward, access to God s Word was limited to Catholic clergy and the nobility, who alone had the education and financial means to possess and read Scripture. The Church grew to believe this was the way it should be. The clergy determined that God s Word was too complex to be understood or interpreted properly by common, ordinary people. But 16 th -century Bible translator William Tyndale believed everyone even a plowboy ought to have direct access to Scripture. It was through that access that people could most readily draw close to God and know His will. Tyndale gave his life literally to what he considered a sacred calling to clear the path for the gospel by providing an English translation for his fellow Britons. Because of his sacrificial work, English-speaking people were able to read in their mother tongue the words of Matthew 3:3: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight paths for him (TNIV). Preparing a Way in India Two centuries later, William Carey, often called the father of modern missions, roused a slumbering Church to the importance of taking the gospel to the world. He created the first Bible society and fostered an enduring interest in Bible translation as a means to prepare a way for the Lord. Translation was (and still is) long, tedious, and sometimes dangerous work. When Carey moved to India in 1792 to translate the Bible into Bengali, he faced local and British opposition, a lack of resources, and the constant threat of disease. He lost co-workers and even his five-year-old son, Peter to dysentery. Yet he persisted in his calling, accomplishing translations in about 40 languages by his death. A Labor of Love For 200 years, Biblica (formerly International Bible Society) has been following in the example of Tyndale and Carey, preparing the way for God s Spirit to work by translating, publishing, and distributing Scripture in the languages of major people groups throughout the world. In 1810, we gave $1,000 to fund Carey s translation work in India. This year, that legacy continues, as we work on translations in 28 languages (see page 14). Today, Biblica s 300-plus full- and parttime translators around the world dedicate years to translate Scripture into local languages. Some use computers and state-ofthe-art software. Others use pen and paper and work in inadequate facilities with poor lighting and sporadic electricity. Some are free to discuss their findings openly. Others work in countries where they are vulnerable to persecution for their faith. Bible translation pioneer William Carey 2 Fall 2009 www.biblicaministry.com Biblica InDepth 3
Removing Barriers to the Gospel Why would anyone commit to the years and effort required to translate the Bible? Bible translation is highly skilled work. Translators must know linguistics, orthography, grammar, anthropology, archaeology, and more. They must be proficient in the original Bible languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, as well as the receptor language attuned to the slightest nuances in meaning. Bible translation is also painstaking, exacting, detailed work. It requires years of often-tedious study and much, much patience. And it is often lonely, solitary work done without recognition and for little pay. However, Bible translation, above all, is a work of passion and devotion, not only to God s Word but to people hungry to know the God who communicates through His Word. Translation is deeply evangelistic in nature, as the end goal is to remove language barriers that hinder people from meeting and receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are debtors to every man to give him the gospel in the same measure in which we have received it. P.F. Bresee Global Perspective Keith Danby, Biblica Global President/CEO I want to share with you about a labor of love a labor that is nothing short of a divine calling because of the sacrifice and demands it places on those who receive it. Many are called to be missionaries in far-off lands, spreading the gospel even to the risk of their own lives. Others are called to plant and lead churches in the midst of spiritual darkness. Still others are called to take a stand for Christ in the midst of profound opposition. But none of these efforts can happen without the unique work of Bible translators. Bible translation is literally the foundation of effective Christian outreach because without the presence of God s Word in a language people can understand, the seed of outreach can never take root. Sometimes translation is perceived as stuffy, academic work done behind closed doors. While the work of translators is highly skilled, more importantly it is a work of passion done by those who are willing to give their lives to provide God s Word to others in the language that touches their hearts and changes their lives. My prayer is that this issue of Biblica InDepth (see back cover) will shed new light on the powerful work of translation and inspire you to be an active participant in providing God s Word in the heart languages of people around the world. Serving Him together, Keith Danby Rev. Benson Mwangi Mugo checks notes on the Kikuyu Bible translation. 4 Fall 2009 www.biblicaministry.com Biblica InDepth 5
A Labor of Love for the Gikuyu People A Gikuyu youth in traditional warrior face paint and attire KENYA In Africa, a typical translation team includes four to six members, mature Christians representing varied biblical specialties and skills. The work is intense and demanding and takes many years to complete. Translators, who typically have full-time positions as pastors or Bible college/seminary professors, are selflessly dedicated to this calling on their lives. One of Biblica s most experienced translators is Rev. Benson Mwangi Mugo, a Presbyterian pastor who has worked with Biblica-East Africa translations for more than 20 years. During this time, Rev. Mugo has also been lecturer at Moffat Bible College in Kijabe, Kenya, and host of a Christian radio program. Rev. Mugo has worked on both the Kikuyu New Testament and Old Testament. With the completion of the Contemporary Kikuyu Old Testament in 2008, the full Kikuyu Bible is poised for publication, a joyous high point of Rev. Mugo s translation career. Keeping Faith Delays and discouragements came in many forms over the years among them, lack of funding that put translation work on hold, loss of translation team members, and finding and training new team members. Yet Rev. Mugo persisted in the work the Lord had called him to. Reflecting on decades of work, Rev. Mugo believes a contemporary Kikuyu Bible that can be understood by today s generation is the best gift he can give in his lifetime. The Gikuyu people who eagerly await the publication of this new Bible would surely agree. Rev. Benson Mwangi Mugo 6 Fall 2009 www.biblicaministry.com Biblica InDepth 7
Why a Kikuyu Bible? Kikuyu is the mother tongue of the Gikuyu people group, approximately 6.5 million Kenyans who live primarily in the central province. Although Scriptures are available in other languages (Kiswahili and English), only highly educated urban dwellers use these versions. Most people (70 percent) live in rural areas and they average just eight years of primary education. Gikuyu young people grew up during the East African revival. The gospel is widely known and preached freely in Gikuyu regions, and churches encourage personal evangelism. Many Kenyans have acknowledged Jesus Christ as their Savior; however, this is not often accompanied by changed lives, which is partly due to a lack of grounding in the Word of God. This lack of Bible knowledge has led to syncretism a mixing of false beliefs with truth. An Alarming Trend Many young people are being drawn into the religious and political Mungiki sect, a traditionalist movement to reintroduce and promote indigenous religion and way of life among the Gikuyu ethnic group. This sect, which has a following of about 2 million Gikuyu young people ages 18-40, opposes Christianity as a false Western religion that has led to oppression of Kenyans. The Mungiki have been involved in violent confrontations with the government over the last few years. In its efforts to curb the sect s activities, the Kenyan government is said to have executed Mungiki members in the hundreds. In turn, the sect retaliates by murdering members of opposing ethnic groups. to provide the Word of God in the Kikuyu language so that many of these youth would be redeemed for Christ. Were the long, arduous, sacrificial years of translation work worth it to create the Kikuyu Bible? The Rev. Benson Mwangi Mugo, the lead translator for the new Bible, looks to the promise of a young generation of his people being rescued from sin and death and gives a resounding yes! A New Identity in Christ Kenyan churches are seeking peaceful means to reach out to Gikuyu youth to win them to Christ. Biblica s new Kikuyu Bible translation gives these youth God s message of peace and salvation in a language close to their hearts. It affirms their pride in their identity, while directing them from life-destroying falsehood to lifechanging truth. One of the Mungiki sect s leaders was interviewed from prison. He confessed a desire to turn the sect s followers from evil ways to God. Biblica-East Africa believes God has provided this timely opportunity Rev. Mugo (with mic) leads translators and Biblica staff in prayer. The Gikuyu people live primarily in central Kenya. 8 Fall 2009 www.biblicaministry.com Biblica InDepth 9
Tending the Garden of God s Word Remembering John H. Stek, 1925-2009 Pastor John Stek John Stek loved God s good creation. Growing up as an Iowan farm boy led to a lifelong passion for the things of the earth. From changing seasons to mountain heights, he reveled in the blessings of land and sky. He knew in a deep way that these things were gifts from the hand of his Lord. Not least among his pleasures was the tending of his own garden, turning soil, pulling weeds, and watering. But then John began digging into books, starting his studies at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1942. World War II and the Battle of Okinawa interrupted, but he returned and resumed his scholarly calling. This led to an appointment to Calvin Theological Seminary in 1961, where he served until his retirement in 1990. Tending to the NIV It was in 1965, however, that John discovered the work that would become his life s legacy: tending the garden of God s Word. He joined the group that became known as the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT), overseeing the translation of the New International Version (NIV). As an Old Testament specialist, particularly on the Hebrew poetry of the Psalms, John made an impossibleto-calculate contribution to this worldimpacting Bible. John gave 44 years to the work on the NIV and its later revisions and study editions. He chaired the CBT for 15 years. By the report of his CBT co-laborers, his tenure was marked by tireless effort and remarkable insight, bringing forth the fruit of excellence. Biblica Sponsors NIV The New York Bible Society, founded in 1809, became the sponsor of the new translation in the mid-1960s because the ministry knew first-hand of the need for a clearer, more accurate contemporary presentation of the Bible. Their evangelistic outreach on the streets of New York put them in touch with real-world people. Today, the heir of that Society, now known as Biblica, takes the NIV to English speakers around the globe. In June of this year John s body was laid in the earth that he loved. With gratitude for his immense gift to the worldwide church, in fond memory of his tenacious yet tender spirit, and with a shared hope in the resurrection from the dead, we honor the work of John Stek. Perhaps the most fitting way is to recall the words from his beloved Psalter: Because they love me, says the Lo r d, I will rescue them; I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name. They will call on me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will deliver them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation. Psalm 91:14-16, Today s NIV John Stek, center, with members of the Committee on Bible Translation 10 Fall 2009 www.biblicaministry.com Biblica InDepth 11
From the Presses to the People It is a mammoth undertaking to get a Bible translated into a people s language. But it isn t enough. The Bible must be typeset, printed, published, and distributed before it can reach and have an impact on its target audience. It does people no good if years are spent completing a Bible translation, only to print a few copies, or worse yet, never print the translation because of financial or other limitations. This is where you and Biblica s First Edition Printing and Distribution outreach come in. Through your faithful prayers and support, Biblica can ensure that God s Word gets to the hands and hearts of those who desperately need it. We print a first edition for church leaders, seminaries, and the public to help launch the new translation and give it momentum. Nobody Ever Explained to Me In 2008, Biblica-Romania distributed 4,700 New Romanian Translation (NTR) Bibles and New Testaments. One NTR Bible landed in the hands of 60-year-old Viorel C. Viorel lives alone. After the communist regime failed, he lost his job and began to drink heavily. He doesn t remember the last time he went to church, but he considers himself a good Christian. On the wall of his room hangs the official Orthodox calendar, with all the highlighted holy days, which he carefully observes. Viorel was convinced that just being baptized and keeping the holy days makes him a Christian. He has never owned or read the Bible. One day Viorel received the New Romanian Translation a precious gift. As he read it, he began to learn more about God than he ever learned in church. It s been life-changing. I don t know how it happened, but now as I read in the Bible I just don t feel that I need to drink any alcohol, Viorel said. Nobody ever explained me so clearly the facts that I read in this Bible. Spreading the Good News Viorel can t keep the good news to himself. He discusses what he learns with his neighbors and has convinced a sister in a neighboring town to read the Bible and learn for herself how God changes lives. From Viorel to his neighbors and his sister, from his sister and neighbors to others in their community, from their community to others, God s Word is spreading throughout Romania. And as it does, more people like Viorel are learning their relationship with God can be deeply satisfying and personal. From decades of exacting work to a computer file to a printed Bible to an alcoholic s hands. It s an endeavor that takes many years, much sacrifice, and much commitment. But take a look at Viorel s life then and now. It s worth the sacrifice, isn t it? Romanian Viorel C. with his first Bible, received from Biblica-Romania. 12 Fall 2009 www.biblicaministry.com Biblica InDepth 13
Translation Projects Throughout the World Life Legacies Biblica translation teams in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East are working this year on 30 Bible translation projects in 27 languages, representing almost 2 billion people who will receive God s Word in their own languages within the next few years. Please pray for the translation teams as they dedicate themselves to this important work. Area Translation Projects FY2010 No. of Projects Countries No. of speakers (millions) Africa 13 Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda 108 Europe 3 Germany, Romania, Sweden 130 Latin America 3 Ecuador, Panama, Latin America 325 Middle East/ North Africa 3 Arabic and Kurdish-speaking countries 204 East Asia 3 Philippines 36 Northeast Asia 1 Mandarin Chinese speakers 873 Southeast Asia 2 Laos, Thailand 43 South Asia 2 India 181 Enjoy Peace of Mind with Fixed Income for Life Discover the Benefits of a Charitable Gift Annuity At the age of 70, George and Linda discovered all the benefits of a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) and made the easy decision to purchase a CGA. They chose a $25,000 Two-Life Annuity that would continue to make income payments for the rest of their lives! (One-Life Annuities are also available.) They immediately began to enjoy: Significant tax benefits A fixed income stream for life The deep joy and satisfaction that come from building God s kingdom George and Linda love being able to bless others even as they ensure that their own financial needs are met. If you need the peace of mind that comes from fixed income while also wanting to build God s kingdom you may wish to consider a CGA yourself. We encourage you to request more information today. Annuity rates range from 4.8% to 9.5% (depending on the age of the donor), making them more attractive than many retirement income alternatives. To explore CGA options and to determine if a CGA is right for you, please visit our website at www.biblicagiftplanning.org/cga or call 800-448-0456. 14 Fall 2009 www.biblicaministry.com Biblica InDepth 15
Announcing... Biblica InDepth Who is Biblica? Biblica (formerly International Bible Society) is one of the largest Bible and Christian literature ministries in the world. As God leads us into a third century of ministry, we re changing our name to Biblica to reflect the passion of 200 years, and a fresh vision for the future. As we prepare for a third century of ministry, we ve changed the name of our quarterly magazine from p2 to Biblica InDepth. Through Biblica InDepth, you will continue to read of transformed lives through the power of God s Word. Thank you for your prayers and support that make it all possible. Biblica InDepth is published quarterly by Biblica. We re the translation sponsor of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, the most widely read contemporary English translation. We are translating the Bible into 27 world languages that have a total of nearly 2 billion speakers. We engage people with the Bible and biblical resources who might never learn about God any other way. Biblica P.O. Box 35901 Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3901 Coming this winter Biblica enters a third century of Scripture ministry 3735