In Principio Erat Verbum: The Power of Words

Martin Heidegger noted in his ‘Introduction to Metaphysics’ that:

‘… words and language are not wrappings in which things are packed for the commerce of those who write and speak. It is in words and language that things first come into being and are. For this reason the misuse of language, in idle talk, in slogans and phrases, destroys our authentic relation to things.’

I think modern translations of the bible have too much of a conversational tone, it regards words as ‘labels’; it forgets that it is in words that we come to contact with reality. And if words in Scripture do not possess the grandeur of poetics, then it would not correspond with the ultimate reality of God, the Word that was there in the beginning. It does not inspire devotion, but only reminds us of the mundane.

Modern translations of Scripture are not food for the soul, they do not lead us to transcend the natural plane unto the supernatural. An example would be necessary here, let us have a look at John 1:14:

The Word became a human being and, full of grace and truth, lived among us. We saw his glory, the glory which he received as the Father's only Son. (GNB)

 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (KJV)

I believe that it is self-evident that the former seemed to have muffled the mystery of the Incarnation, the God-Man. It seems so bland. But in the latter, it is as if power is flowing through these words. It conveys a sense of mystery and awe. It allows us to contemplate the 'naked' Truth, unfettered and not concealed by the misuse of words.