"Use of old language sends the message that the gospel is not for this generation"
Professor Alister McGrath*, addressing the Wycliffe USA Board meeting in Oxford, England on June 1st, reminded them of John Wycliffe's** passion for making the Bible available to people in a language they can understand. "He would be thrilled with what Wycliffe are doing round the world. He would be thrilled that you are allowed to do it and he would be thrilled that you are doing so well."
"Wycliffe are trying to provide the living truth of the gospel in language that makes sense. It speaks to us as a living voice right now in the present."
"Translation opens a window to let light in, it opens the curtains to a holy place and it rolls the stone away from the top of a well so you can get water."
*
About Rev Professor Alister McGrath
**John Wycliffe.
In 1384 he translated an English Bible - the first European translation done in over 1,000 years.
In a day when the aristocracy spoke French, the clergy and Universities used Latin and the peasants spoke English, he championed, against much opposition, the twin themes of everyone matters and the Bible must be available to all in a language they understand. He is known as the morning star of the Reformation which occured some 150 years later.
