Priestcraft in Bible Scholarship and Translation

Hidden knowledge

English-speaking peoples have been centuries-long victims of what this writer calls English-translation-theology and theological priestcraft (this goes for both protestant and catholic Believers). Through selective Bible translation practices, theological priestcraft reserves special knowledge to the initiated—the highly educated few—of what biblical texts actually say or do not say.

The practice is ancient and so pervasive most scholars are likely unaware that this is what they are supporting because they cut their scholarly teeth on it in Bible schools and seminaries. But just because someone believes something is true doesn’t make it so.

Truth is not relative.

Deeming the unwashed masses too ignorant to understand what even scholars may not understand—or feel is too unimportant to bother with—scholars and translators have chosen to leave those who depend on them [for insight into biblical texts] out of the loop entirely, by omitting or adding critical words from or to translations. There are hundreds, even thousands, of such instances in Bible translations, and The Hungry Hearts Bible Commentary points many of these out.

Scholars and Bible translators should never be permitted to be the gatekeepers of biblical knowledge in deciding what the masses are or are not to be informed about through the egregious practice of adding to or taking away from sacred biblical texts in translation.

This writer takes no issue with translator supplements, which can be helpful, though are always theologically subjective, but, tragically, a few 19th Century scholars had the audacity to change the texts from which many Bibles are translated from today. They did this with the full knowledge of the scholarly community, who, to this day, remain virtually silent. This is theological priestcraft at its worst. But before that, from the middle-ages and earlier, theological priestcraft was rampant among both Protestants and Catholics. It shows up in even our most ancient and beloved Bible versions.

Fortunately, in these last days, when knowledge is increasing exponentially ^{Daniel 12:4}, biblical knowledge also more readily available than at any other time in history. In uncensored countries, Believers now have opportunity and means to compare texts and the history of the texts and scholarship—though must wade through mountains of propaganda to do so. But the work is worth the trouble.

There is no excuse for every believer who has a desire to do so, to avail themselves of readily accessible resources and the work of reputable scholars.

God said His Word—His Truth—would be available to every generation—and it has been—though this generation has more easy access to it than any generation before us.

Every generation has had the truth. And despite rampant priestcraft, Jesus said we could know the truth, and the truth would set us free.

Jocelyn Andersen is the author of several non-fiction books, including, Redemption: Bible Prophecy Simplified, a Study of HOPE.

She plans to release e-book and print commentaries on every book of the Bible she features in this column. Click HERE to subscribe to updates, book release and event announcements, and links to all her Substack columns. Connect with Jocelyn on Goodreads and LinkedIn.

Note from the editor: I read my Bible every day, always picking up today where I left off yesterday. I have been doing this for over 44 years. The posts in this column are usually notes on whatever passage I happen to be reading on any particular day during what I call my “on-track” Bible reading.

Read more about this commentary HERE.