Intercultural Gospeling and a Literal Translation of Scripture

With somewhat of an understanding of cultural differences, I am of the belief that a literal word-for-word translation of Scripture will cause people to misunderstand the gospel. With so many differing perceptions from the many traditions and values people have, it seems that a translation requires significantly more work than first thought. For example, the verse that states that Jesus stands at the door and knocks would be perceived in some African cultures that Jesus is a thief, as in their culture a thief knocks on the door to see if anyone is inside. If one wished to engage in a friendly visit, then one must call out the name and await an answer. Hence, this verse ought to be translated as "Jesus stands at the door and calls."
Another point is that when on mission trips, many people are not highly educated and cannot understand scholarly works that explain the grammatical and historical context of Scripture, so how would one explain things to them in a literal manner and convey the message of the gospel?

With somewhat of an understanding of cultural differences, I am of the belief that a literal word-for-word translation of Scripture will cause people to misunderstand the gospel. With so many differing perceptions from the many traditions and values people have, it seems that a translation requires significantly more work than first thought. For example, the verse that states that Jesus stands at the door and knocks would be perceived in some African cultures that Jesus is a thief, as in their culture a thief knocks on the door to see if anyone is inside. If one wished to engage in a friendly visit, then one must call out the name and await an answer. Hence, this verse ought to be translated as "Jesus stands at the door and calls."
Another point is that when on mission trips, many people are not highly educated and cannot understand scholarly works that explain the grammatical and historical context of Scripture, so how would one explain things to them in a literal manner and convey the message of the gospel?

With somewhat of an understanding of cultural differences, I am of the belief that a literal word-for-word translation of Scripture will cause people to misunderstand the gospel. With so many differing perceptions from the many traditions and values people have, it seems that a translation requires significantly more work than first thought. For example, the verse that states that Jesus stands at the door and knocks would be perceived in some African cultures that Jesus is a thief, as in their culture a thief knocks on the door to see if anyone is inside. If one wished to engage in a friendly visit, then one must call out the name and await an answer. Hence, this verse ought to be translated as "Jesus stands at the door and calls."
Another point is that when on mission trips, many people are not highly educated and cannot understand scholarly works that explain the grammatical and historical context of Scripture, so how would one explain things to them in a literal manner and convey the message of the gospel?

I read the cockney Bible but I dont know if it made much sense to me, as I kinda believe Jesus was orignally from Nazareth and not from south of the bow bells.
Theres also the Kiwi Bible and the lolcat bible. It seems a few people like to read the Message bible where God is referred to as a dude and Jesus as like his hipster pastor type trying to be relevant.

What was the method of evangelism in the hundreds of years prior to the completed text? Personally, I questioned the Bible’s legitimacy as a non-Christian. It was the kind acts, fellowship and explanation of salvation from a pastor that inspired my commitment to Christ. Since then I have been grappling with the Bible’s teachings, daily discovering new wisdom for twenty years....and counting.

Jesus Christ, Yeshua, declared openly within His words on the signs of the end times that aspostasy shall aboound. Reading all of the Word in prayer repeatedly we find it has been around since Paul but now it certainly is global..........

With this in mind, there is no need to complain about the doctrines of others, learn from Jesus Christ, Himself. He has invited yo to do so....

When yo do, and you hear odd counding teachings, you will then know why. God bless you and may Jesus, Himself, teach you all you need know.

I agree wholeheartedly that Christ, teaches us directly. My greatest breakthroughs in comprehension have been in silent meditation. However, if I think I am correct and directed by the Holy Spirit, and everybody else does with equal fervour, when our opinions are in contradiction, who or what determines accuracy?

An interesting and prophetic note about Jesus the Nazarite or the Nazar, it is written He is the Branch......Nazar is the word for Branch.

By the way, for your files, I believe the Cockney accent is loacted with the bells' range of sounding............

Are they not between the "oranges and lemons? I believe now it is within the sound of St. Mary's but you know, so let us know.

Have you ever been on a mission trip to another country where you did personal evangelism?

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Does this underestimate the ability of God and the Holy Spirit to give understanding? God created the tongue, mind and all languages....can he not open one's ability to perceive a truth or all truths from the word?

All sharing of understanding must be in the Holy Spirit, not literal, and never intellectual. Let us approach the Father as children.

Mmm, yeah, but God gave us a mind to think, so I believe we ought to engage in studying and understanding the word.

I think a non-literal attempt like that on the text of Scripture would end up butchering the entire Bible. An unfamiliar "knock" on the door of an African will accomplish what God pleases and prosper in the thing whereto God sent it. We have to trust His Word as it actually is.
In Tyndale's time the religionists were "afraid" that many of the plow boys in England would gouge out their eye and cast it from them if they had their own Bibles.
Footnotes, margin notes, & Bible teachers explaining things on the side is good. But access to the unadulterated text of Scripture is necessary to test what the explainers are explaining.