Translation Feasibility Committee begins work

The Translation Feasibility Committee has begun its work. It held its first meeting last month in Milwaukee and elected Rev. Paul Janke to serve as its chairman. Other members of the committee include Revs. John Brug, Jonathan Schroeder, Curt Jahn, Michael Jensen, Phil Hirsch, Daniel Leyrer, and John Koelpin, with President Mark Schroeder serving as an advisor.

The committee was appointed in keeping with a resolution passed by the synod convention last summer. Its task is to investigate the feasibility and advisability of producing a new translation for use by the synod, now that the 1984 version of the NIV will no longer be published. The committee will consider various ways to do this, including an entirely new translation “from scratch” or a revision of one or more existing translations.

The committee plans to complete its work by the time the districts meet in convention next summer; delegates will be asked to choose which translation to use in synod publications. The committee will explore the questions of what such a project would require in terms of time, manpower, and funding. It would also outline the possible process in which such a project could be undertaken. Depending on the results of its study, the development of a new or revised translation could become one of the choices placed on the ballot.

As this committee carries out its work, discussions about the strengths and weaknesses of various existing translations will also continue. A special symposium on Bible translation will be held at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., in January; the focus of the symposium will be on the principles of translation that will guide our synod in making a final choice on which version to use (whether existing or new) in our synod’s publications. Discussion on Bible translations will also take place in circuits and conferences throughout the coming months.

The choice of a Bible translation is a very important one. This is especially true for a church body like WELS, which has always stood firmly on the truth of Scriptures and has clearly declared its unwavering commitment to confess the inspiration and inerrancy of the Scriptures.

Serving in Christ,

Mark Schroeder