For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NASV)

There is an interesting article on the Denison Forum on how Muslims are being used to translate the Bible in Chad, a country located in central North Africa, where just over half (55%) of the country’s 18 million people are Muslim.

Two groups, unfoldingWord and Church Growth Project of Chad, are involved in having the Bible translated into the various dialects found throughout the country.

Though they did not purposefully intend this to happen, the majority of the translators are Muslims. And to ensure there are no problems with the translations, pastors regularly check over their work to ensure accuracy.

Aside from the financial benefits many Muslims are genuinely interested in translating the Bible because it refers to people spoken about in the Quran including Abraham and Jesus.

The interest in the Bible seems genuine because many of the Muslims involved in the translation work are from villages where they don’t even have a Quran available to them.

The result has been at least two of the translators have since become Christians and with Muslims involved in the translation work, Imams in the respective communities are allowing the Bible stories to be read in their villages.

Muslim views of the Bible

Muslims have an interesting relationship with the Bible. The Quran speaks highly of the Torah, Psalms, and the Gospels, and considers them as ‘Books of God’.

And in fact, the Quran encourages Muslims to read the Torah and the Gospels if they have any doubts about Islam.

“So if you (O Muhammad SAW) are in doubt concerning that which We have revealed unto you, [i.e. that your name is written in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] then ask those who are reading the Book [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before you. Verily, the truth has come to you from your Lord. So be not of those who doubt (it).” (Quran 10:94)

There have actually been testimonies of Muslims becoming believers in Christ after they read this verse in the Quran and decided to read the Bible.

However, Muslims also believe that the Torah, Psalms, and Gospels were corrupted in translation and only the Quran is considered to be the trustworthy scripture.

And it seems these opinions about the Biblical texts are changed when Muslims are actually involved in the translation work.

READ: Muslims are translating the Bible for Christians: How will your life translate the Bible today? AND A Muslim man’s journey to Christ through the Quran AND What is the Muslim View of the Bible?