Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
Is comparing the translation of the Bible comparable to the popular party game of "telephone"?
Key Points:
- The Bible was not translated similarly to how the telephone game is played. The telephone game is designed to be confusing for the sake of fun. The biblical authors did everything they could to preserve the accuracy of the biblical texts.
- Oral traditions were involved in preserving some biblical texts, but this does not mean the oral traditions were not scrutinized and transmitted correctly. Similar to how a martial art is taught, repetition was used and perfection was expected by Jewish teachers.
- Not all biblical texts had centuries of oral tradition before being written down. The gospels, for example, were written down within the lifetimes of the eyewitnesses of Jesus’s ministry.
Quote This:
Luke 1:1-4 Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How have you viewed the accuracy of the Bible up to now? What informed your opinion?
- What are some of the common views of the Bible in our culture today? Why is it important to understand how the Bible was compiled over time?
- How is the example of oral biblical traditions being transmitted similarly to how martial arts are taught a helpful metaphor?
- Read Luke 1:1-4. Why is it important that the Bible was not translated like the telephone game is played?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
