A Babel of Bibles

Part 2: Undermining Memorization

This is the second in a series of posts on the problems arising from the widespread use of multiple English translations of the Bible. In the first post -The paradox of choice- I addressed the psychological cost of having to choose, and keep choosing between multiple translations. Now we turn to the devastating effect of the babel of Bibles on a grossly undervalued but fundamental practice of the spiritual life – the memorization of Scripture.

The problem is painfully simple and profoundly debilitating. Different translations of the Bible say essentially the same thing in slightly different ways. What the value of saying the same thing in a slightly different way is I do not know. But I know what the cost is. Instead of a simple, consistent statement, we encounter a variety of slightly inconsistent statements. We can quibble about whether this helps or hinders the understanding of the meaning. But it is poison to the practice of memorizing Scripture.

I’m going to have to do two posts on this subject because many need to be reminded or convinced of the importance of “word for word” memorization of Scripture.

Rote Bible memorization. It may sound like kid-stuff and unpleasant kid-stuff at that; calling to mind images of children being ‘drilled’ to recite passages in pursuit of the inevitable prize. Forget all that. Consider simply what the Bible says about memorizing the Bible.

Psalm 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

I won’t take the time or space here to delve into the significance of ‘the word in the heart’. Suffice it to say, it is a fundamental and pervasive image which speaks of internalizing the Word (“bind them upon your heart forever” [Pro. 6:21]; “write them on the tablet of your heart” [Pro. 7:3]; “the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe” [Luke 8:12]). Simply note here that it is the means the psalmist has chosen to be kept from sin. Still haunted by children’s voices droning out Bible verses? Consider the example of Jesus.

• Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him (Mt 4:1-11).

This is the Savior, the Lord, God the Son incarnate. He is assaulted by the tempter, Satan, the Devil. Divinity joined with humanity is confronted by pure evil. How does the Savior respond? What is His defense? How does He resist and ultimately repel the evil one? He quotes Scripture. He quotes it word for word. And that is all He does!

I don’t know about you but I need help resisting the Devil. And I don’t know about you, but I seriously doubt I can improve on Jesus’ technique. He quotes Scripture … I don’t have a better idea!! I guess that’s the thing to do! But in order to quote Scripture word for word, you’ve first got to memorize Scripture word for word like Jesus did (you can be sure He wasn’t carrying Torah scrolls out there in the desert). It was hidden, word for word, in His heart.

Just one more passage.

• Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:13-17).

The subject is spiritual warfare. The imagery comes from a Roman soldier. The exhortation is defensive rather than offensive, it’s about standing ground, not taking ground. The forces of evil attack, will you be standing when it’s over? You’ll need the full armor of God. And every piece of that armor is defensive with one exception. The shield, the breastplate, the helmet, the belt, the boots, they protect you. There is only one offensive weapon at your disposal. There’s only one thing you strike with – “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

An important note about the Greek term translated “word” in the phrase “word of God.” It isn’t logos, a broad Greek term for word, thought, idea, etc. Rather it’s rhema, which refers to literal words, the things that come out of our mouths.

When Jesus resists the Devil by quoting Deut. 8:3 “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4), the same Greek term is used. Every rhema that comes from the mouth of God.

So, if we want to be kept from sin, if we want to resist the devil, if we want to be standing when the day of evil passes we’d better memorize the Word of God, word for word (rhema for rhema).

With this truth in mind the next post will evaluate the way multiple translations seriously undermine the vital spiritual discipline of hiding His Word in our hearts.