Office Bearers

GS 2025 Article 36 – CBT (Bible Translations)

1.   Material

  • 1.1    Report of the Committee on Bible Translations (CBT) (8.2.9.1).
  • 1.2    Letter from the Calgary CanRC (8.3.9.1).

2. Admissibility

  • 2.1    The report was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It was mandated by the previous synod and was received on time.
  • 2.2    The letter was declared admissible.
    • Grounds: It interacts with a report to GS 2025 and was received on time.

3.   Observations

  • 3.1    GS 2022 (art. 158) mandated the CBT:
    • [3.5.1] To solicit, receive, and evaluate comments from the churches on the ESV.
    • [3.5.2] To submit worthy translation suggestions to the ESV editorial committee.
    • [3.5.3] To serve as a resource for Bible translation matters.
    • [3.5.4] To validate and submit expenses to the treasurer of the General Fund.
    • [3.5.5] To submit a report to the churches six months prior to the next General Synod.
  • 3.2    The CBT consists of Rev. Jeff Poort and Rev. Tyler Vandergaag. No new appointments are needed at this time.
  • 3.3    The CBT sent a letter to all churches in August 2023, inviting feedback on the ESV and offering to serve as a translation resource.
  • 3.4    Two churches responded:
    • 3.4.1    One raised general concerns about the readability of the ESV.
    • 3.4.2    Another submitted detailed comments on specific texts. The CBT appreciated the exegesis but did not find that the comments warranted forwarding to the ESV editorial team.
  • 3.5    The ESV editorial committee reportedly met in July 2024, but no new edition or public update has been released as of the writing of this report.
  • 3.6    The CBT has fulfilled its mandate without incurring any notable expenses.
  • 3.7    The Calgary CanRC submitted a letter in response to the CBT report. While expressing appreciation for the CBT’s work, Calgary questioned whether it remains beneficial to renew mandate items 1.1 and 1.2, given the February 11, 2025 update from Crossway. They also proposed adding a mandate to evaluate the World English Bible (WEB), a copyright-free translation available in the public domain.

4. Considerations

  • 4.1    The CBT has faithfully carried out its mandate and remains available to serve the churches on matters of Bible translation.
  • 4.2    Although public updates to the ESV have been limited, the Crossway document referenced by the Calgary CanRC (February 2025) indicates that changes to the ESV are being implemented and does not preclude further revisions. Therefore, maintaining communication and a posture of readiness to engage remains appropriate.
  • 4.3    The churches have shown only limited engagement with the CBT. Renewing the current mandate continues to provide the churches with a structured channel for interaction and support.
  • 4.4    Calgary’s proposal to evaluate the World English Bible has been noted. However, no compelling rationale has been provided for expanding the CBT’s mandate in that direction at this time.
  • 4.5    The CBT has functioned efficiently without expense and continues to provide a stable and useful service to the churches.

5.   Recommendations

That Synod decide:

  • 5.1    To thank the Committee for Bible Translations (CBT) for its faithful service to the churches.
  • 5.2       To mandate the CBT:
    • 5.2.1      To solicit, receive, and evaluate comments from the churches on the ESV;
    • 5.2.2      To submit worthy translation suggestions to the ESV editorial committee;
    • 5.2.3      To serve the churches as a resource for Bible translation matters;
    • 5.2.4      To appoint one of its members to validate and submit to the treasurer of the General Fund all expenses being submitted for committee work;
    • 5.2.5      To prepare and distribute a report to the churches six (6) months in advance of the next general synod.

ADOPTED