Faithful Scripture for an Ancient Language: Tamil New Testament Update

Location: South Asia 
Speakers: 87 million 
Project Status: New Testament 
Christian Population: 6%

Tamil is an ancient Dravidian language; its long history spans nearly 2,500 years. In Tamil Nadu, the vast majority (88%) of Tamils are Hindu, 6% are Muslim, and 6% are Christian. Within the group that identifies as Christian, only 0.5% are evangelical.

Christianity is thought to have been established amongst Tamil speakers in the first century by the Apostle Thomas, and through later missionaries from Portugal, the Netherlands, Britain, and Italy. Today, Tamil Christians need a faithful translation of the Scriptures and teaching thereof, as some Tamil-speaking groups blend Biblical teachings with local cultural practices such as rituals and festivals, along with prioritising social and/or cultural inclusivity over adherence to core Biblical doctrines. Other problems include caste-based discrimination and prosperity gospel messages.

The Tamil project is a relatively light revision of the old Tamil Version to ensure closer conformance to the Received Text and to update archaic vocabulary, syntax, and grammar. The Gospel according to John has been published in print and online. The lead reviser is now working on the book of 1 Corinthians.

‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen’ (Matthew 28.19–20).

How to pray for this project:

• For the translator as he endeavours to faithfully revise the Tamil Scriptures.
• For the Christian Tamil people to be receptive to the new revision, and that it would bring many Tamil speakers to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
• For additional Tamil speakers to review the revision.