What do we mean when we say something is “in the Bible”?

This piece explores the complexities and power of translation, contrasting The Little Prince—a static text widely and faithfully translated—with the Bible, whose ancient, multi-sourced origins and evolving interpretations make perfect translation impossible. The author highlights the transformative nature of Bible translation, showing how cultural and linguistic differences shape the way key concepts like forgiveness and wisdom are understood. Through the Translation Insights and Perspectives (TIPs) project, we gain a prismatic view of scripture—one that reveals new dimensions of meaning across languages, cultures, and expressions of faith.

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This article was published in The Christian Century on June 23, 2025, and was written by Jost Zetzsche.