What Potential Problems Can Occur Using the Thai Bible?
To give credit where it is due, the Thai Bible, shortcomings notwithstanding, represents a great accomplishment and is widely used and revered among the Christian community throughout Thailand. That being said, there are places in the Thai Bible’s text where phraseology problems occur that distort the originally intended meaning and unintentionally mislead the unsuspecting Thai reader. Consequently, these subtle nuances of meaning, often amplified by entrenched cultural misconceptions, cause the Thai and Isan people to misunderstand very important Bible themes. Specifically stated, this impacts correct understanding as to: 1) whether human effort plays an integral role in obtaining eternal salvation; or 2) whether salvation is sustained or maintained by means of God’s redeeming and keeping power alone, entirely through His mercy and grace, found solely in the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus Christ, or does one have to help God by maintaining certain behavioral norms. In short, is one
