The Word of God for the People of God
The sounds of multiple languages were bouncing off the array of bookshelves, lined with literature, telling stories of past, present, and future. There is a certain je ne sais quoi about bookstores which draws me in. Our family cannot go to a new town without stopping by a local bookshop. We were in Galway, Ireland and visiting one of the city’s most talked about independent bookstores. Upon entering, Kayla and Nora went off to the children’s section, while I began to take inventory of the copious amount of books, focussing my attention first on the genre of literature (hanging just above each shelf) and then allowing my gaze to drop to familiar and unfamiliar titles. I keep a list of books that I want to read on my phone - there were 222 titles on the list. So, for me, there is never an issue of choosing if I want to buy a new book, but a matter of which book I will buy. After perusing the shelves for several minutes I landed on a book. (Now my list is down to 221 books)
As I made my way to the checkout counter a man entered the store, walked right up to the store clerk and asked, “Do you have the Bible in Irish?” The clerk, never looking away from this screen, confidently hammered away at his keyboard before turning to the man, saying, “I’m afraid not.” There was some continued discourse between the two men, using their English words in an Irish accent to determine where one might find an Irish translation of the Bible.
Much to my surprise, even the store clerk wasn’t sure where an Irish translation of the Bible could be purchased. It gave me pause; I recalled how I had four or five translations of the Bible, sitting on my shelf, all in my native tongue. Not only do I have an array of translations in my own language, there’s all sorts of different design covers, some with maps, others with archaeological commentaries. If you speak English, you can have the Bible just about any way you want it. But what about those who don’t have the Bible in their native tongue? I have to ask myself, “do I take for granted my access to God’s word?”
Two lines from the Apostle Paul come to mind. The first is from his letter to the Colossians:“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” (3:16)
One doesn’t need a written word to preach or teach the Gospel, but having access to the Scripture in your own language can make a great difference in how it’s studied. Can you imagine having to go to a priest, pastor, theologian, or professor to receive the word of God? Those situations still exist, even today. Granted, the Bible is currently being printed in more languages than ever before; yet, there are still many languages which don’t have a translation of the Bible.
The other verse line which comes to mind is found in the pastoral epistle to Timothy: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16)
If all Scripture is God-breathed, then all Scripture is profitable for us. What a tragedy to know that some people are not able to read the same words of hope. There is something cathartic about being able to pull the Bible off your shelf and read it anytime, day or night. It might sound trite, but in a season of giving thanks. I am forever thankful for all the men and women who paved the way for me to have a myriad of options when it comes to reading the Bible. May one day that be true for every language on earth.
Peace to you,
Rev. Taylor Kibler
