Why do you recommend the Rotherham translation of the Scripture, since Science and Health is based on the common version. Please answer through Journal.—
Would it not be too material a view, to think of Science and Health as based on any "version" of the Bible? Both are the word of God, "and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was originally with God." The Scriptures have been translated from the original tongues by men who looked through beliefs of material sense. They are the word of God only in their spiritual meanings. These are badly brought out in our translations. Unlearned readers of the Bible to-day see more in reading it than the scholars in King James' time, or in our own,— far more than is expressed in any text. The Chosen One speaks, always with God in the mount, face to face. Only idea that reflects Principle can report of the things of the Father. These reports are not "based on" versions but are expressions of the eternal and immutable. Versions are the work of men's hands—those we have at present. It is the Truth that is the word of God, not the version. Each reader of the Bible has his own version; it is just what of Principle and idea is to him, conscious existence. Rotherham's version, or any other, would be a harmful limitation if attention were fixed on its letter as a basis. It is recommended for Scientists, because it brings out the spiritual sense more completely than any other. But a Scientist is supposed to bring to the reading of the Bible the inspired understanding gained from Science and Health. Till scholarship as complete as Rotherham's is united with this inspiration, no better translation can be looked for.
One of its most useful features is the references to parallel or illustrative passages, found in the footnotes. If followed out carefully,—"searching" the Scriptures by their aid—it will be found that a light will be cast from one on another. The critical observations, abundantly intermingled with the references, will be found of the greatest value. These, with the readings of the text, will be found to indicate an enlightenment from Spirit that fully mark his work as connected with the advent of Christian Science.
