Beginnings
The Diploma in Bible Translation training programme (DBT) evolved in the 1980s when a Zimbabwean team asked the Apostolic Faith Mission in South Africa for help to translate the Bible into their own language. Over the course of several years Greek scholar and founder of TWFTW, Véroni Krüger (DLitt), developed an interdisciplinary training programme which he and some others taught in a non-formal setting.
Formal Training (1988-1997)
From 1988 – 1997 the training was offered as a two-year course in White River, South Africa; first at the Africa School of Missions and later at their own premises. Twenty-two students who envisaged a cross-cultural ministry graduated with a Diploma of Bible Translation. When, however, only 6 of them became involved in Bible Translation, it was decided to relinquish training in South Africa and focus on training candidates from Bible-less groups in their respective countries.
Integrated DBT Training (1998-current)
Since 1998 we have offered the Diploma in Bible translation programme in an integrated manner of formal, non-formal and on-the-job training. We have held training events in DR Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eastern Europe and South-East Asia. Our training calendar gives details where and when we train aspiring translators from Bible-less language communities this year.
Recognition
Recognition of the TWFTW’s Diploma in Bible Translation programme has been growing since 2004, when the distance education institution SATS (South African Theological Seminary) first recognised it as equivalent to 2 years of a 3-year BTh programme. Since 2016, when South Africa’s Council for Higher Education curbed the recognition of prior learning of academic institutions, students with our Diploma in Bible Translation may be exempted from a maximum of 50% of credits of the BTh at SATS. They can complete a BTh degree programme in their country of residence through distance education at SATS. Each case is considered individually.
The Ethiopian Theological College in Addis Ababa exempts DBT graduates from a number of undergraduate and degree level courses.
TWFTW has been a registered candidate for membership at the Asia Theological Association since 2019 with view of accreditation of the Diploma in Bible Translation in the near future.
1981
October 26, 1981
TWFTW begins, in Pretoria, South Africa
1984-87
October 27, 2017
Non-formal training of trainee translators in Zimbabwe, curriculum development
1988-93
October 28, 2017
School of Bible Translation at Africa School of Missions, White River
1994-97
October 29, 2017
Institute of Bible Translation, White River
1998
October 30, 2017
First DBT training in Ethiopia and Zambia
2003
October 31, 2017
Graduation in Ethiopia (20)
2003
November 1, 2017
First DBT training in Tanzania
2004
November 2, 2017
Curriculum Review. TWFTW’s Diploma in Bible Translation recognised as equivalent of 2 years of a BTh at the South African Theological Seminary (SATS).
2005
November 3, 2017
First DBT training in DR Congo and Eastern Europe
2008
November 4, 2017
Graduation in Tanzania (17)
2009
November 5, 2017
First DBT training in India
2010
November 6, 2017
Graduations in Ethiopia (34) and Tanzania (17)
2012
November 7, 2017
MTh proposal in Bible Translation Consultation accepted by SATS
2013
November 9, 2017
Graduation in Tanzania (20)
2014
November 11, 2017
Graduation in India (35)
2014
November 12, 2017
Curriculum Review. Articulation agreement between TWFTW and SATS renewed recognising TWFTW’s Diploma in Bible Translation as equivalent of 2 years of a BTh at SATS
2016
November 13, 2017
First DBT training in Myanmar
2016
November 15, 2017
Graduations in India and Zambia (12)
2016
November 17, 2017
Diploma in Bible Translation accredited at Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong
2017
February 12, 2018
Graduation in Tanzania (9)
2018
November 1, 2018
Graduation in South Asia (20)
2018
November 24, 2018
Graduation in Zambia (20)
2019
March 23, 2019
Graduation in Northeast India (15)
2019
May 1, 2019
First DBT training in Nigeria
2019
August 6, 2019
TWFTW joins the Asia Theological Association as Registered Candidate for Membership
2020
November 28, 2020
Graduation in Tanzania (6)
2021
December 22, 2021
Graduation in Zambia (13)
2021
December 22, 2021
Graduation in Sudan (10)
2021
January 23, 2022
Graduation in India (4)
2022
May 30, 2022
Graduation in South Asia (39)
2022
December 20, 2022
Graduation in Ethiopia (68)
2023
January 8, 2024
Graduation in India (29)