Sometimes Having it Darker Brings Light

The Gospel passage for this coming Sunday has a phrase which is well known by anyone who has a Christian background as well as many who don’t; ‘Physician heal thyself’.  This is the phrase in the King James Version (KJV) of the bible.  Unfortunately, the version of the bible which is used in my corner of Christianity, as well as many others, The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), has translated it ‘doctor cure yourself’.  Now, I was taught when studying theology that the NRSV is a ‘better’ translation of the original Hebrew and Greek than the KJV and perhaps it is a more accurate rendering of the original languages in English.  However, that does not mean it is ‘better’ in every sense.

To my ear and eye, ‘doctor cure yourself’ just doesn’t have the same resonance as ‘physician heal thyself’ (or even yourself).  Both physician and doctor have essentially the same meaning in the context of the passage.  We can argue about the difference between cure and heal but the overall effect of the KJV is one that resonates with people and is very clear in its meaning.

Another example which comes to mind is the beautiful phrase, ‘through a glass darkly’.  The whole phrase in context is, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (I Corinthians 13:12).  Regrettably, it is translated in the NRSV, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly.”  Again, it is, I am sure, a more accurate translation but it loses so of the beauty and impact, the poetry of the passage.  Indeed, seeing through a glass darkly ironically shines a light on the phrase. 

My complaint is not that language changes and is made perhaps easier in some ways to comprehend.  Rather, my complaint is that it is in danger of being left without life and is no longer life giving.  An example of a modern retelling of the Lord’s Prayer is an example of how modern language can keep the impact and perhaps even enhance the effect of what is being said.  This is the new version of the Lord’s Prayer which from the Anglican Church of New Zealand prayer Book:

Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and for ever. Amen.

There is poetry and consequently impact in this language.  Admittedly this can lead to some confusion until the new language becomes more familiar.  While I was studying theology, our class attended a conference.  One of my classmates was helping to lead worship during the conference and was supposed to lead the assembly in the Lord’s Prayer.  The New Zealand version was printed in the service bulletin and she led the assembly in that prayer but did not realize it was the Lord’s Prayer and so, being dutiful, she led us in the more traditional version in our prayer book.  I am sure she did not make that misstep again and the new version became indelibly etched in her memory, as it has been in mine as a result of that occasion and other tomes when it has been sued in worship quite effectively.

I will close with a quote from Richard Rohr, “Metaphors give us access to the transformative power of God (Bruggeman).  Metaphor/poetry opens us to more possibilities of God and God’s action”.  This is needed now more than ever.

Blessings on your journey.