Martin DeHaan on Bible Translations

"CONFUSION OF TONGUES IS PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE THE LATEST

BIBLE GAME, IN WHICH HUNDREDS OF COMPETITORS PLAY FAST AND LOOSE WITH
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES IN ISSUING BY THE SCORES, NEW AND DUBIOUS
TRANSLATIONS, VERSIONS, 'PERVERSIONS,' AND REVISIONS OF OUR ENGLISH BIBLE.
One of the reasons given for the need of a new translation is the need of a Bible in modern English. ...
But from some of the more recent attempts at giving us a Bible in modern English, it becomes apparent
the real purpose was to sell us on a modernistic Bible not a modern one. It appears from two recent so-
called translations (the Revised Standard Version and The New English Bible) that the real purpose is
to DESTROY the Bible as the Word of God. Leading up to this climax of infamy are a long line of
lesser versions" (pp. 6,7).
"It was in 1611 that the best-known and time-tested translation of the English Bible was published,
meeting a crying need for an authentic translation. It was written in the most impressive and dignified
English and has after 350 years remained the one English translation which meets the requirements of a
necessary, Holy Spirit-guided translation. Since then, numerous (several hundred) attempts at
improvement upon this authorized translation have been tried. A veritable flood of versions, revisions
and translations have been issued. With a few exceptions they have all become obsolete and forgotten,
discarded and happily buried (may they rest in peace and never be resurrected again). Less than fifty of
these translations have lasted beyond a single generation" (p. 9).
"... we look with alarm upon the abuse of this trend into a growing evil. THE INFLUENCE OF ALL
OF THEM TOGETHER IS DEFINITELY BAD, AND HAS RESULTED IN CONFUSION,
FRUSTRATION AND DOUBT AMONG SINCERE SEARCHERS, and has given occasion to
doubters to ask, `Who is right?' Moreover, it has given ammunition to the enemy to say that nobody
knows what is correct" (p. 10).
"I am keenly aware of the fact that I am dealing with a very delicate and touchy subject on which many
sincere folks differ. I also realize that by discussing this subject and stating my honest, irrepressible
convictions I shall invoke and provoke the untempered condemnation of some who violently disagree;
but I have no choice in the matter, for I AM OVERWHELMINGLY CONVINCED THAT THIS
OBSESSION, THIS CRAZE FOR ISSUING NEW VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE CONTAINS
POTENTIALITIES FOR EVIL WHICH MUST BE EXPOSED" (p. 11).
"I resent the accusation that I am a scriptural crank, and a hair-splitting critic of the numerous so-called
new translations, versions and revisions of the Bible. Neither am I riding a hobby or developing a
translation phobia or getting into a rut on a pet subject. ... I WANT TO CLEAR MY CONSCIENCE
IN THE DEEP CONVICTION THAT I MUST ISSUE THIS WARNING AND ALARM
CONCERNING THE PRESENT TREND OF TRANSLATIONS INTO MODERN ENGLISH"
(pp. 12,13).
"There are times in one's life when silence is not a virtue, and failure to speak out against an evil
becomes a sin. When one is convinced of something which is having an evil effect upon men, and
neglects to sound a warning and an alarm, he becomes an accessory to the crime. This has
somewhat been my position. For a long time I have watched with alarm and increasing
misgivings the rash of new versions, translations, and editions of the Bible being dumped on the
market and recommended to the unsuspecting Christian public as a great step forward, and an
almost indispensable aid to the correct understanding of the Scriptures. I had hoped that this
epidemic might subside, but instead it has increased until I can no longer keep silence; I must
speak out against what to me has become a most dangerous trend, and threatens the sanctity, the
authority and the power of the Word of God itself. I am speaking of the veritable rash of new Bible
translations (so called), versions and interpretations. ... This trend has finally blossomed forth in two of
the most infamous efforts to discredit the Word of God ever tried in all history. The publication of two
recent translations (the Revised Standard Version and The New English Bible), one in this country and
the other overseas, has so convicted and disturbed me that to keep silence would be a betrayal of
my trust. The gravity of the danger lurking in this growing evil will not let me rest until I have
unburdened my heart on this babel of the versions and translations. Let the chips fall where they
may, I dare not betray the Book any longer by keeping silent when it is being threatened. I have
carefully examined a good number of the new translations which have been published recently ... We
have no quarrel with some of these versions of earlier years which should be considered as helpful
commentaries, but should not be designated or elevated to a place equal with the Bible" (pp. 18,19).
"We want to make ourselves definitely clear, and so we repeat. What we have said, does not imply that
there is no merit at all in any of the so-called translations. We admit that they can be exceedingly
helpful to the student for personal study, and for critical examination, but most of them should be
considered as commentaries rather than translations. Used as reference books for study, some of them
have their value; but for the public ministry and pulpit use, they only add to confusion and frustration
for the average believer. It is the end result of this irresponsible handling of the Scriptures which we
fear the most. We sometimes wonder if all of this is not laying the groundwork for the Devil's own
end-time translation and version, when the Antichrist, the false christ, the Devil-man appears on
earth. ... In the October 18, 1960, edition of the Springfield, Massachusetts, Union, we read the
following alarming bit of news: 'Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish scholars working as a team have
begun a new translation of the Scriptures...' Can this be a sign of the times, getting ready for the final
translation of the Scriptures by the one who offered Eve the first revised version?" (pp. 24,25).
"... of the many dozens currently in print, one translation still outsells them all: the miscalled but
greatly loved King James or Authorized Version of the English Bible, now celebrating its 350th
anniversary. Incomparable in its faithfulness, majestic in its language, and inexhaustible in its
spiritual fruitfulness, this time-honored version continues to reveal to millions the matchless grace of
Him whose name is THE WORD OF GOD, and who is crowned with glory and honor" (p. 25).
"Thousands of people go 'daffy' about some modern translation, who have never even read half of their
father's Bible through. Well, but we can hear some of you say, The new version is so much clearer
and easier to understand. I would like to ask you, How do you know that it is easier and clearer,
when you haven't even read your old Bible? ... TO AVOID CONFUSION, THE CHURCH
SHOULD BE UNITED ON ONE DEPENDABLE TRANSLATION. WE DO NOT NEED MORE
NEW TRANSLATIONS, BUT A MORE THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF THE ONE WHICH
WE ALREADY HAVE" (p. 26).
"When there is poison in a cake, one does not spend time praising the good fruit and other
ingredients which the cake contains; rather one warns against the poison and rightly so! The
perversions of some of these newer translations which we have pointed out are more dangerous to your
soul than poison to your body. TURN FROM THOSE WHICH ARE THE PRODUCTION OF AN
AGE OF DOUBT, AND TURN TO THE AUTHORIZED VERSION WHICH IS THE
PRODUCTION OF AN AGE OF FAITH. THE AUTHORIZED VERSION IS RELIABLE
BECAUSE IT TELLS US AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS, and not
what some galaxy of scholars (who, however learned, are but mortals like ourselves) think it ought to
say" (p. 26).
"The argument that the language of the Authorized Version is archaic and outdated might carry some
weight if the new translations were really an improvement in clarity and easier to understand. However
the very opposite is the case in most instances" (p. 27).
"For public use in worship one version should be made the standard and all the rest of the
worthwhile ones used only for reference. If this could be done, there is no question about the
uniform choice of the acknowledged Authorized Version. ... No other translation can approach its
accuracy, dignity, and clarity. Let the evangelicals take as the Bible of orthodoxy the Authorized
Version; let the modernists and the liberals have the Revised Standard Version, and The New
English Bible ... Most evangelicals think of the Authorized Version as the Bible of the English-
speaking Church. We have been taught from it from childhood, and, recognizing the need of `hiding the
Word in our heart,' we have memorized all the Scriptures we know from this version" (pp. 30,31).
"We shall never all agree perfectly here below in every detail, but when men threaten the honor and
purity of the Scriptures, we simply cannot agree. If we must take one of two positions, I for one
would rather be guilty of overzealousness in defense of the Book, than to condone violence to the
Scriptures and to countenance unchallenged those who handle the Word of God `deceitfully' (II
Corinthians 4:2) all under the guise of tolerance and charity. I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE
GUILTY OF BEING OVERAMBITIOUS IN EARNESTLY 'CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH'
(JUDE 3) THAN TO BE GUILTY OF COMPROMISE FOR FEAR OF OFFENDING
OTHERS" (p. 31).

From the booklet Bible Versions and Perversions, published by the Radio Bible Class, 1960.
The author was the M.R. DeHaan.