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John MBiti on Bible Translation

Ben has a long post based on notes that he took while listening to Kenyan theologian and author John MBitit. There is lots of good stuff in here, but I’ll just give one key quote.

Now, Bible translation have landed the Scriptures into more and more local languages. This enables the people to hear the word of God to discuss, teach and dispatch it to the whole people. Inevitably, it enables formal dialogue to take place in the minds of those that experience it. Each translation is like a repeat of Pentecost (Acts 2:16)—Each one hears the terms in their own language–the mighty works of God. That sparks dialogue. We hear dialogue in our own tongues telling us the gospel. In may cases, the publication of a Bible is the first book in a given language. Through the translation of the Bible, the Christian message sings. It is a revolutionary event. With powerful ripples throughout the ethnic groups. Christians go out with the Bible in their own language to nourish others. In many homes, the Bible and the hymnbook are the entire library, and many people know much of the Bible by heart.

Read the whole post.