USA (MNN) — Would you believe that no sign language has had a completed Bible translation until now? It’s true. For the first time ever, Deaf people with American Sign Language as their heart language now have a full digital Bible in ASL.
The American Sign Language Version (ASLV) and was primarily translated by Deaf people, for Deaf people. Deaf Bible Society helped propel this translation project over the last 38 years along with Deaf Missions, American Bible Society, Deaf Harbor, DOOR International, Pioneer Bible Translators, The Seed Company, and Wycliffe USA.
Chantel Pagan with Deaf Bible says, “It’s been years and years in the making. So it’s such new ground to say, yes, we have every book of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in American Sign Language — the first sign language of many, many that are still waiting.”
(Photo courtesy of Deaf Missions)
Deaf Bible is also celebrating the ASL Chronological Bible Translation (CBT), recently completed with a coalition of Deaf ministries. The CBT consists of 119 biblical stories from Genesis to Revelation and is more intended for Deaf individuals who are unfamiliar with the Bible.
Deaf Bible’s website and app are easy ways for Deaf individuals to access sign language Bible translations. Deaf Bible works diligently with its partners to get these translations as soon as they are available and publish them on their digital platforms for distribution.
With the completion of the ASLV and CBT Bible translations, over three million Deaf individuals now have access to all of God’s Word in their heart sign language for the first time in history.
Pagan says, “We believe that providing access is really what can…create an opportunity for individuals to live a life that’s biblically-centered and where they can have culturally relevant conversations within their communities centered around the Gospel.”
The ASLV Bible is available now at DeafBible.com and the Deaf Bible app, and Pagan says they hope to have the CBT translation up as well by the end of the year.
(Photo courtesy of Deaf Missions)
“For Deaf individuals, what we see often is they say it’s the Bible coming alive… To them, it’s signs being shown in video format in their native language, and it speaks and it communicates directly to their heart.”
Of course, Pagan says they are far from finished with sign language Bible translations. “As we celebrate the American Sign Language Version, Deaf Bible Society is excited to share that we’re also participating in accelerating 20 other sign language Bible translation projects. This is one of many to come.”
As Deaf Christians have greater access to Scripture in their heart language, they will be better equipped to engage in a local church and the global Body of Christ.
“[Pray for] the Bible being distributed, and that Deaf people would become aware…and be open to receiving what Scripture has to offer.”
Learn more about Deaf Bible’s ministry here!
Header photo courtesy of Deaf Missions.
