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Why is The Urantia Book translated into other languages when its authors favor a one world language?
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The very first paragraph of the book states that the authors
were "authorized to translate into the English language..." I think one
reason that the authors chose English is that it is a very fluid
language, ever adaptable and full of derivative words from many
languages.
This is surely no accidental or unthinking choice.
All we have to do is look around us and we see that many countries
educate their children in English, and
English, I have heard, is becoming the language of business as well.
And we know how important commerce is to establishing global unity and
cooperation.
Jesus was conversant in several languages, and this is a
trend that is developing throughout the world. For example, here in
America, English co-exists with Spanish in many communities.
Language
is an evolutionary development, and it is going to take a long time
before we reach the stage of a "one tongue" world, which is a feature
of the ages of Light and Life.
Some may question the
decisions that have been made regarding translations into other
languages, but it seems to me that if you want to reach a wide
audience, you do what is necessary. Jesus said that we were to spread
this message to all the world... better that people should get this
message in their own language right now; later on, they may be able to
master English because of it. But regardless, they will have gotten the
good news.
We are given no concrete guidance in the book
regarding this issue, but since the Urantia Revelation is meant to feed
humanity for the next millenium or so, I think translations in other
languages at this early stage is entirely appropriate. In the end, the
message of The Urantia Book - in any language - must be translated by
each individual into "the language of the spirit..." that Jesus spoke
of.
Thanks for this interesting question!
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