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The Bible: Exploring Facts and Myths About the Word of God  /  Capital Error  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 5
Bercot argues English capitalization rules imply “Law” should be capitalized when it refers to the Mosaic Law, and he calls lowercasing it “scandalous…tampering”; what standard of honesty should Christians demand from translators and teachers, and how should a serious Christian respond when they suspect bias—without sliding into cynicism or conspiracy thinking?
Another way to ask: What kind of honesty should Christians expect from Bible translators and teachers? If you suspect bias, how should you respond in a serious way without becoming cynical or paranoid?

Direct Answer Bercot’s standard is “scrupulous honesty”: translators and teachers must not slant readers through misleading choices, even for goals they think are good. He urges Christians to question translation decisions and investigate context, while avoiding blanket accusations by checking whether the text really points to Moses (especially when circumcision is in view).

Support from Transcript:

  • He distinguishes God’s Word from translations: he believes in Scripture’s “inerrancy… ??? I don't believe in the inerrancy and infallibility of Bible translations.”
  • He instructs: “Never be afraid to second-guess a Bible translator…if you have good reason.”
  • He frames the moral standard: “In the kingdom of God, how we do things is just as important…The end never justifies the means…He needs from us…to be scrupulously honest when we are translating His Word.”
  • He warns against naive trust: “don't blindly accept whatever the translators have written, and don't blindly accept whatever I say. Do some digging of your own.”
  • He also allows for restraint: “I don't think any of these Bible translators are trying to corrupt the Scriptures…All of them believe…they are promoting God's truth.”
Discussion Follow-ups What would “good reason” look like before you challenge a translation choice? How can a study group model careful checking without becoming suspicious of everyone?

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