Moving deeper into application of the translation model... How does one take the “truth” of the gospel and translate it to a culture that is foreign from ones own? It could be argued that the truth of the Bible is love, a concept that could be communicated to another culture through word or picture stories with various possibilities. And if you believe the key concept of the Bible is the life of Jesus, the same strategy of word or picture stories is an avenue that could move throughout typical language and cultural barriers different than your own.
It was very interesting to have Randy Mah in our group and hear his experiences trying to bridge the gap between the Chinese culture his parents and grandparents experience, himself being a third-generation Chinese-American. The strategy of breaking down the roots of certain Chinese characters and how they can help translate the message of Genesis and the Gospel was fascinating. Randy's story of using the symbol for "come" to share Jesus dying on the cross with his mother was especially moving. It was a blessing being a part of it today. That, and our powerpoint rocked.
Monday, February 4
Reflection: Week 5 [Monday]
Thursday, January 31
Reading: Bevans [Translation]
When I first think of the word translation, in response to the translation model of contextual theology as explained by Bevans, personally think of the Greek and Hebrew translations of the Bible. Also know as, the primary reason I am in the MAT program instead of a MDiv student. I'll be honest, larning new languages scare me a little. I barely passed German in High School and didn't have to take a language during my undergrad over 10 years ago because I was able to test out of some math classes.
So when Bevans speaks of the translation method, I can relate from my experiences coordinating Sunday services where I took biblical text and created new and experiential ways the church goer could experience and understand the text, but beyond that not much in the way of languages. Basically, I can translate the English text to a current cultural setting better than most. But if you asked me the Greek root of eschatology, I'd be lost.
