The Challenge of Bible Translation: Communicating God's Word to the World

by Glen G. Scorgie (Editor), Mark L. Strauss (Editor), Steven M. Voth (Editor)

An In-Depth Look at Bible Translation
-The concerns, issues, and approaches
-The history
-The ins and outs of the translation task
With a reach that covers the entire globe, the Bible is the best-selling, most earnestly studied book of all time. It has been translated into well over 1,000 languages, from those of global reach such as English, French, and Arabic, to a myriad of isolated tribal tongues. Yet while most readers of the English Bible have a favorite version, few understand how the different translations came about, or why there are so many, or what determines whether a particular translation is trustworthy.
Written in tribute to one of today's true translation luminaries, Dr. Ronald Youngblood, The Challenge of Bible Translation will open your eyes to the principles, the methods, the processes, and the intricacies of translating the Bible into language that communicates clearly, accurately, and powerfully to readers of many countries and cultures. This remarkable volume marshals the contributions of foremost translators and linguists. Never before has a single book shed so much light on Bible translation in so accessible a fashion.
In three parts, this compendium gives scholars, students, and interested Bible readers an unprecedented grasp of:
1. The Theory of Bible Translation
2. The History of Bible Translation
3. The Practice of Bible Translation
The Challenge of Bible Translation will give you a new respect for the diligence, knowledge, and care required to produce a good translation. It will awaken you to the enormous cost some have paid to bring the Bible to the world. And it will deepen your understanding of and appreciation for the priceless gift of God's written Word.
Contributors
Kenneth L. Barker
D. A. Carson
Charles H. Cosgrove
Kent A. Eaton
Dick France
David Noel Freedman
Andreas J. K stenberger
David Miano
Douglas J. Moo
Glen G. Scorgie
Moises Silva
James D. Smith III
John H. Stek
Mark L. Strauss
Ronald A. Veenker
Steven M. Voth
Larry Lee Walker
Bruce K. Waltke
Walter W. Wessel
Herbert M. Wolf

Genres: Language

607 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[Mark Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essays of varying quality and interest. I liked Silva, Carson, Strauss, Stek, and Moo best. I do wonder if, lurking behind a lot of talk about English Bible translation, is the assumption that we ought to shoot for one "idea" translation. So it was comforting to read Moo saying that translations can and do exist for different audiences. The Bible is worth that kind of attention.

I do need to dig into Poythress some more—it's been too long—to be fair to a man I deeply appreciate after reading some stout criticisms of him (and Wayne Grudem) by Strauss.

[Paul Willweber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every pastor needs to read this book. At least part 1 on the theory of Bible translation. The rest of the book is hit or miss as to the quality or value to the pastor. Thus I am giving it only 4 stars. But the first part gives some needed correction to and valuable perspective on the notion that formal equivalency is more faithful to the Bible. And just in case anyone wonders, I have also read the other side.

[Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read a book more profound and meaningful in its laying out of the clear differences in the attitudes and methodology of modern Bible translators from those who went before. This book answered a lot of questions about where we have come in Christianity in the way we view the Bible and how we got here. It is painfully clear that modern Pastors and so-called Christian scholars, influenced by the unbelief and skepticism of German Higher Criticism and the apostasy of 19th century Anglican preachers and scholars taught even through fundamentalist seminaries, do not know how to read the Bible for understanding, how to cross reference the verses, how to use the Bible’s self-defining qualities, and simply do not believe, though they say otherwise, in the inspiration of the Bible.

Regarding interpretation they have not translated words, verses, and doctrines in the way the Bible does but have sought their understanding elsewhere. Regarding translation they view the Bible just as they would any ancient book and regard it in no greater way other than in passing lip-service to its supposed divine origin. The book is an excellent compilation of articles that explains, without intending to, what is wrong today with Evangelical Christianity and, moreso, why it is devoid of spiritual power. This book is a must for all students of Bible translation and the transmission of Bible manuscripts, no matter which side of the great divide you are on, as an actual Bible-believer or a philosophical Christian.