Press Release: Wycliffe To Be Reviewed

by Editor | Apr 30, 2012

A Week in a Wherry on the Norfolk Broads. By “Blue Peter.” Illustrated, etc

Dear Friend of Biblical Missiology,Bible translation is not typically considered newsworthy, but the current controversy over Wycliffe’s translations has just made international news. An article picked up by the Washington Post and over 150 other news outlets reports that “US Bible translator agrees to review after criticism over substitutions for ‘Son’ and ‘Father.'” Indeed, Wycliffe and SIL agreed to, and in fact sought out, a review by the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), with a recommendation on their translation practices due by the end of the year. Given that these controversial translations are currently available and thus creating inaccurate understandings of God, Biblical Missiology appeals to Wycliffe and SIL to immediately withdraw them. Although they have agreed to “put on hold [their] approval of publication of translated Scripture around which this criticism is focused”, they have refused to withdraw existing mistranslations, so we are praying that the WEA will encourage Wycliffe to retain “Father” and “Son” in the text of their translations. In the article, Georges Houssney, President of Horizons International, explains why this is so important: “If you remove ‘son,’ you have to remove ‘father,’ and if you remove those, the whole thread of the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation is unraveled.” That’s exactly right. The story of the Bible is the incredible news of God the Father sending God the Son to give his life for us. That story is something that is truly newsworthy. And it’s worth spreading–just as it was given to us. You can read the full article here

SIL/Wycliffe Hosting Major Conference

From April 30 to May 9, SIL will be gathering in Asia for a major conference, which is held once every four years. Not only will SIL elect new leaders, they will also spend a portion of the conference discussing the translation controversy. We ask you to join us in prayer for this conference and for their decisions.

Your Help Needed

In addition to the review by the WEA panel and discussions at the SIL conference, churches and denominations are evaluating their support of agencies that produce these translations. Thus, the next few weeks will be a critical time. We need your help in appealing to Wycliffe/SIL to commit in writing to retain “Father,” “Son,” and “Son of God” in the text of all their translations. So please forward this email to your friends and church leaders, asking them to learn about the issue and sign the petition. Understanding and relating to God as Father and Son is the heart of the gospel. Your voice will help ensure that incredible news is faithfully spread to the next generation.