Rector’s Ramblings – April 18, 2024

 A parishioner recently brought me two bibles to see if I might like to add them to my collection. One is a copy of the bible in Russian, while the other is a New Testament in Gullah Sea Island Creole. I can make sense of the latter, especially because there is an English translation in the margins, but I have no experience with Cyrillic, and cannot make heads or tails of the Russian text. Nonetheless, it is fascinating to ponder both of these books of holy scripture. 

The Russian bible is produced by the Russian Bible society, with a publication date of 1991. I looked them up, and the Russian Bible Society is a group that makes sure that bibles in Slavic languages are sent to people who read those languages. The group was founded by a Baptist in Russia who was initially persecuted for his faith before finally being exiled from the country in the 19th century.  Interestingly, this particular text has a handwritten notecard (I have no idea of the author or recipient) in it stating that some entity, only described as “we” were committed to sending 90,000 Russian bibles directly to Moscow for secret Baptists to distribute.  The note appears to have some age on it, and might be close in age to the publication date of the bible; if so, that’s the equivalent of a $500k investment in Russian bibles based on the cost per bible in the note

The Gullah bible was produced by the American Bible Society, whom I had already heard of. They are responsible for several popular bible translations like the CEV (Contemporary English Version) and the Good News Bible, which many young people were raised with. They distribute millions of bibles every year, all over the world, and in almost every language imaginable.  I have no trouble believing that they have captured most languages if they took the time to work on the Gullah bible. There are only a few hundred fluent Gullah speakers in the country, and only several thousand with a passing ability with the language. It is not among their best-selling bibles, to be sure! 

At this week’s EC 101 class we discussed Church History. Prominent in our history is that little dust up in the 16th Century we call the Reformation. One of its principal concerns was ensuring that scripture and literature would be available in the vernacular – the language that people used on a daily basis, whatever language that might be. The Latin Vulgate bible and the Latin prayers of the Roman Church left many uneducated Christians susceptible to manipulations of the Gospel, and worse, kept them from finding the wealth contained in the scriptures for themselves. Instead, they remained dependent on their local clergy to dole out whatever they chose to share. What a powerful witness to that 500-year tradition that these two simple books represent. There is still a contemporary need for people to have access to the Word.  In some places more than others.

Sitting with both of these books for just a few minutes makes me so grateful that I have access to the scriptures in my own language. I might be able to read enough Latin to figure some of the Vulgate out for myself, but that Russian bible is useless to me. I can glance at its pages and see the sheer volume and weight of what’s written there, but I can’t decipher it. I feel a longing to understand, and the frustration that I can’t. The Gullah bible isn’t written for me, but I can hear the Gospel in its pages, nonetheless, although I have to work hard at it with some verses. 

It’s funny that my life revolves around the scriptures, and yet I take them for granted. I can scarcely imagine how my life would be different; how my life would be different, if I hadn’t had the bible as a part of it. From picture book bibles, to the first children’s bible I could read, to the Good News bible we used in Sunday School, to the study bible that sits on my desk – I am so grateful for all those who made it possible for me to encounter God in their pages without having to work at it. That thanksgiving goes all the way back to the authors and translators who first created the words we now read. 

I wholeheartedly believe in the adage that “scripture contains all things necessary for salvation, but not everything in it is necessary for salvation.” There is great comfort, assurance, challenge, and hope in the pages of our holy texts, and everyone deserves to be able to mine those riches for themselves. The stories of God’s people, and especially the story of God’s son is too valuable to remain out of the reach of anyone.

Tom+

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for
our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn,
and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever
hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have
given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.