In this episode, we speak with Anwar Tjen, a Bible translation consultant from Indonesia whose work has helped shape Bible translation used by millions of Christians. From his academic research on the Septuagint (the Ancient Greek Old Testament) to his role revising the Indonesian Standard Bible, Anwar shares fascinating insights into the challenge and opportunities of modern Bible translation.
With more than 700 languages spoken across Indonesia, Bible translation remains one of the Church’s most significant and ongoing tasks. Anwar discusses why Scripture in a person’s heart language can be transformative, how technology is helping translators today, and some of the surprising problems translation team’s encounter.
In this episode we discuss:
- How studying the Septuagint led Anwar into Bible translation
- What it takes to revise a Bible translation used by millions
- Why language updates and new textual insights matter
- The challenges of translating Scripture across Indonesia’s many languages
- The importance of reading the Bible in your heart language
- How technology is changing Bible translation
- Examples of real translation problems and solutions
As we mark 500 years since William Tyndale’s English New Testament, Anwar’s story reminds us that the mission to God’s Word understandable and accessible is still transforming lives around the world.
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October 16, 2026