Differences Between Bible Versions

by Gary F. Zeolla

Discusses translation principles, Greek text types, and KJV "Onlyism." Advocates a literal or formal equivalence translation method and the use of the "Textus Receptus" or Majority Greek Text for translating the New Testament. Over 30 Bible versions compared and evaluated.

344 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

Reviews

[A. D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great dissertation on how Bible translations are done and the different sources that are used.

[Luke Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my second time reading this book, not because it's the sort of book worth reading twice but because I am retracing my steps, so to speak.

In 2011, this book resonated with me because I was looking for a certain kind of exit, one that would make it seem like I wasn't really leaving. As it turns out, the door I was afraid of was actually the way in, not the way out. I don't think I really wanted to land firmly on the issue. I just wanted to find a more comfortable spot to hide. But there is no comfort without truth. And mushy, pragmatic thinking is no substitute for truth.

We are called to defend biblical doctrines as God revealed them, not as we conceive them. And the text issue is just one example of where we need to do this carefully. It's very easy to come up with a definition of preservation (for example) that is cleaner and tidier than the one required by Scripture. After all, God could have sovereignly destroyed every manuscript but one complete and accurate one. He could have dropped a perfect text out of the sky. But He didn't. So this is not a question of what God could have done, but what He actually did. And as such, it's important that we fight the tendency to round up our answers to make God look better.

That said, I found this book less helpful this time around (from 4 stars to 2 stars, which, according to Goodreads means "It was ok"). This is the only book I've read that defends the Majority Text position (no, the MT is not synonymous with the TR), but I'm hoping there are better ones out there. The author makes some helpful points throughout the book, but there is a streak of pretension in the book, most easily seen in repeatedly evaluating and reviewing translations by comparing them to "the author's own translation". Also, I think his explanation of translation philosophy is simplistic. He thinks of translation philosophy in terms of individual boxes, when it's really more like a sliding scale.

[Joel Rockey · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like 1.5 stars. I did not find this book to be very helpful. The author holds to the Majority Text position. (a position I respect) Some of the information on the Majority Text was helpful, but I disagree with the author's conclusions. He also seemed to be promoting his own translation, the Analytical-Literal Translation, as the best translation. It was almost comical to see how his translation miraculously ended up being the "superior" translation in all of his examples.

[Todd Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became interested in the Bible translation issue several years ago for various reasons. I've read numerous articles and books...watched numerous debates and videos...researched myself. This book by Gary F. Zeolla is quite simply one of the more honest approaches to the subject I have seen. He lays a solid foundation for the Majority Text (though I prefer an eclectic text). He is, however, honest enough to admit that the variances between manuscript traditions are far more minuscule than some say. He explains why a more literal translation method is best. And, he points out which Bibles fit this model. This book has been updated several times as new Bibles have come out. Make sure to get the most recent version if you choose to buy it. If you are at all interested in this issue, this is a good easy to read book.