IMPROVED FORMAT FOR BIBLES URGED

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30481, 1 July 1964, Page 15

IMPROVED FORMAT FOR BIBLES URGED

especial Correspondent N.Z.P.AJ

LONDON, June 30. The Bible • producing societies of the world have been urged to make more modern - looking Bibles with explanations for the reader.

This plea was made at a world consultation of Bible societies presided over by the Archbishop of York at Driebergen in Holland. The Archbishop said it was time that the ordinary Bible had separate introductions to the various books, with a glossary of difficult words. It should also be divided into sections so that the reader could be helped to understand the background in which the particular passage was written. No Explanations Bibles produced in England and Scotland for special occasions and for special groups of readers had already pioneered a modern presentation of the scriptures, but the main bulk of the world’s Bibles carefully avoided explanations for doctrinal reasons.

Opposition to the introduction of “notes and comments” came powerfully .from Asian and Latin-American countries where any interference with the "written word” would appear to look like a tampering with the "word of God.” A campaign to lift the circulation of the Bible from its present 50m a year—including portions and selections—to 150 m was also outlined.

Sharp Rise In his opening address, the Archbishop of York pointed out that the strategy of Bible production needed rethinking in face of the sharp rise in the world’s population, the increase of literacy and the demand ’ for the scriptures which was outstripping the supply. It is estimated that in the next few years more than 350 m adults will learn to read in Asian and African countries.

At the moment the complete Bible is available in 231 of the world’s languages with another 290 having the new testament only. Another 695 languages have one. or more of the Gospels.