The power of God’s Word

By Eva McMaster  |  Wycliffe Today Spring 2024  |

My daughter Marlena recently asked me, ‘What makes the Bible so special?’ It was a great question and reminded me of a sermon from the late pastor and theologian Tim Keller titled ‘Labouring for a God who fights for us’. Keller said:

Outside of God’s grace that saved us, the Word of God is the most precious (and powerful) gift in our lives.

I thought to myself: Do I truly believe that? On what basis can we make this claim and, if true, how should this truth impact our lives?

The Bible is unique. Its 66 books span stories that occurred over at least 4000 years of human history. It was written by potentially 36-40 different authors. It is both a divine and a human book, written in Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, set in its linguistic, cultural and historical context, on three different continents. It is really a collection of writings with many different styles and genres.

The Bible is also the most translated book in history. Of the 7,394 languages in the world, 3,658 languages have at least some Scripture translated. There are currently 736 languages with full Bibles translated,1,658 New Testaments and 1,264 portions of Scripture. But what makes this book so special? Why has it continued to endure?
Consider this for a moment: a book so precious that people are willing to risk their lives to protect it and ensure that its message continues to reach as many people as possible. Bible translators like William Tyndale lost their lives to translate the Scriptures. Prior to the Reformation, Latin was the only acceptable language for printing the Bible and other translations were seen as heresy.

Before Tyndale, there were only handwritten manuscripts of the Bible in Middle English – the work of John Wycliffe from 130 years earlier. William Tyndale’s desire was to make biblical truths about sin, Christ’s sufficiency and salvation by faith plain to all. These convictions drove him to finish the New Testament translation into modern English and in 1536 it brought him a death sentence ordered by the king and the bishop of London. Tyndale understood the risk and was still willing to pay the ultimate price because he believed that the Word of God is the most precious gift of all as it points us to Christ, ‘the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29).

God’s good and sovereign plans are accomplished through his Word that goes out. In Isaiah 55, God’s Word is described like rain that waters the earth, producing life. Verse 11 says: ‘It shall not return to me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it’. The Lord’s sovereign plans among the nations will be accomplished as his Word changes history, transforms whole societies and language groups.

How should we then live according to God’s Word? If Jesus, the Son of God, was completely immersed in the Word of God, then we should follow his example. Jesus was always quoting Scripture. He believed that every word was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Jesus himself fulfilled more than 300 prophecies that were written at least 500 years before he arrived on earth as the Messiah.

Following Jesus’ example, we also should put our lives completely under the authority of God’s Word.

Struggling? Go to God’s Word. Tempted? Go to God’s Word. Facing a health or financial crisis? Go to God’s Word. Needing peace or direction? Go to God’s Word. Wanting to share the good news of Jesus with someone? Go to God’s Word.

It is certainly time well spent to read, meditate on, and feed our souls on God’s eternal, living Word!

 

Gospel Coalition, Keller, T. ‘Laboring for a God Who Fights for Us’ (Tim Keller speaks on Nehemiah 3–4 at The Gospel Coalition’s 2014 National Women’s Conference in Orlando, Florida).https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/tgc-podcast/laboring-for-a-god-who-fights-for-us/ Accessed 20 August 2024.

Creating change from the inside out

By Deb Fox  |  Wycliffe Today Spring 2024 Edition  |

Nelson Tapineng with his wife, Georgina.

Nelson Tapineng with his wife, Georgina.

Nelson Tapineng is the new Executive Director of the Bible Translation Association (BTA) of Papua New Guinea – one of Wycliffe Australia’s close partners. A key focus for Nelson as the leader of BTA is ensuring that his team creates change from the inside out. He wants everyone involved in the work of Bible translation to not only be helping others be changed by God’s Word but also be in the process of being transformed themselves. Nelson says:

The vision of BTA is transforming Papua New Guineans through the translated Word of God. I’m challenging myself that, before another Papua New Guinean is transformed, I have to be transformed myself first. The Word of God is not really preaching from a nicely prepared sermon to make people understand. No, it is also the way we live our lives. That transformed life has to flow from within us. How can you transform others if you’re not transformed yourself? I am being changed in the process of supporting Bible translation and so is my family.

Nelson meets with administration and translation staff on the ground on a regular basis to encourage them and to help identify any areas where they need help. He mentions:

The relationship is so important! People need to know they are appreciated and that we care about their needs. We are committed to capacity building, not only with infrastructure and systems but also building up our people. We have done recruitment and training to identify where people fit in and how their gifts can best be used. 

BTA has 69 language projects on its books but Nelson says that of these, only 18 are active. More help and resources are needed before the other 51 can be reopened. Of the more than 800 languages spoken in PNG, there are also many more languages needing a translation project to begin. Nelson is planning to create greater awareness among churches and individuals about the crucial role Bible translation plays in not only spiritual transformation but also preserving language and transforming culture. Nelson says:

We’ve got to protect our languages! We thank God for Bible translation and the way it helps with language preservation. The work that BTA and its partners are doing is vitally important for that. I grew up in the church but my knowledge of the importance of Bible translation was very low before I joined BTA. That’s why we are focusing on awareness. We recently held an event with politicians and leaders to make them aware of the needs for translation. Papua New Guineans must understand the importance of Bible translation. We believe that as we do our part, God will provide what we need. 

Nelson says that BTA is grateful for the support of churches and individuals who want to help transform individuals and whole communities with the good news found in God’s Word:

I must thank our international friends and families who have been supporting BTA, including our friends in Australia. It’s evidence of the relationship and love you have for us. 

PRAY:

  • for the 5 million PNG kina (around $1.9 million AUD) needed to support the needs of BTA
  • that the Lord will help BTA to position itself in a way that honours God
  • for more young people to join the organisation and for opportunities to help them receive training.

Thanks for your patience...

Waiting is hard, isn't it. But imagine waiting 2000 years for Scripture in your language! Thanks for your patience. And thanks for your generous support which will help bring the long wait to an end...