LOST
IN TRANSLATION
by Brenton Dickieson
Finding a Bible of your own can be a daunting task. Walk into a Christian
bookstore and you are confronted by hundreds of choices. So many different
sizes, features and translations — enough to dizzy the mind and
discourage any soul searcher.
So how do you find the right Bible for you when you are ready to ditch
your Precious Moments version?
TWO
PATHS DIVERGED
One of the reasons there are so many choices is because there are different
ways of approaching the translation of the ancient texts. Mostly, there
are two kinds of translations: literal and dynamic equivalent.
The literal translation seeks to translate word for word from the manuscripts.
A more literal approach is helpful for studying Scripture when you don’t
know the original languages — which is most of us!
A dynamic equivalence approach isn’t translating word for word,
but phrase for phrase or thought for thought. The importance of this approach
is to capture the essence of what is being said and to describe it authentically
in English.
Every language is different. You know what I mean when I say, “What’s
up?” But translate that into French or Japanese, and it doesn’t
make any sense. Instead, in those languages you might say “Comment
allez vous?” or “Genki desu ka?” And if you translated
that Japanese phrase literally into English, it would mean, “Are
you feeling energetic and vigorous?” An odd thing to ask a person
when you are getting on a bus.
Since there are different approaches and different versions, let’s
explore some of them to help you make your choice.
A
WOODEN DESK AND A NOTEBOOK
The New American Standard Bible (NASB) has been a popular choice of literal
translations for a generation. It sticks close to the text and tries to
maintain word order, even if there are a few awkward phrases here or there.
It is a great go-to Bible for studying Scripture seriously.
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is literal like the NASB, but
it is not as strict on word order, so is a little more readable.
The newly-released English Standard Version (ESV) combines the poetry
of the King James Bible and the literal phrasing of the NASB, but is still
very much understandable and readable today. The ESV has the distinction
of creating a formal, yet very approachable translation for people in
high school or college. Interestingly, unlike a number of recent translations
(NRSV, TNIV & NLT below), the ESV does not use gender-inclusive language
when referring to people.
A
COMFY CHAIR AND A CUP OF JOE
The last century produced a number interesting paraphrases of Scripture.
From the ‘Cotton Patch Bible,’ which put Jesus’ stories
in the context of the segregated South, to the Living Bible in everyone’s
library, these versions were a great way of creating discussions and bringing
Truth into a new light.
No paraphrase, though, has been as popular and convincing as the Message.
Written in view of the original texts by Christian spiritual director,
Eugene Peterson, it is impressively conversational. Most editions drop
the verse numbers, and present the text like a novel. The Message makes
for a fantastic bedside reading Bible.
For those who want a readable, thought-for-thought version that is a more
serious translation, the New Living Translation (NLT) commends itself
on all accounts. It is easy to read, but captures the essence of the text
accurately. It also comes in an array of student versions and study versions,
and is my PDA Bible of choice.
THE
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS?
Is it possible to get a literal translation that uses the English we speak
today? This desire for a translation that does everything may be why the
New International Version (NIV) has become so popular.
The NIV was made by a committee of evangelicals in the seventies. It tries
to capture the essence of today’s language but is still a pretty
conservative translation. This is why you’ll more often than not
see an NIV in a Christian home or church pew.
With time, English changes and moves on. As much as I love my large-print,
leather NIV, there are some places where the translation could be improved
and the language updated. The recently released revamp — Today’s
New International Version (TNIV) — is such an excellent improvement
on the NIV. If your church or Bible study uses the NIV, you can still
read along easily in the TNIV, but you have the advantage of a version
that takes seriously the original text and this generation’s culture.
THE
CHOICE FOR YOU?
With an average of one new English translation every year for the last
century, the choice can be difficult. But these descriptions should help
you find the Bible you’ll absolutely love to read. And who knows?
Maybe someday one of your kids will dig up your dusty TNIV or NLT from
the attic, and you’ll be able to tell them about the years of encouragement
you received from God’s word.
HAVING
A BLAST WITH A BOOZE-FREE BASH
by Cynthia Dobroskay
Chilling with friends this summer? No need to put your spiritual commitments on hold. You can party without the booze and still have a great time. Here’s how!
Doubt
& ‘The DaVinci Code’
Do
you think Tom Hanks looks good in Tweed?
That may not be the question that’s on the minds of the world’s
film and literary critics as actor Tom Hanks dons the role of Robert Langdon
— a tweed-wearing, Harvard symbologist caught up in an adventure
that could change the way we look at the world... Read
More...
Scoring
Big on Final Exams
It’s
exciting. It’s stressful. It’s the end of another school year.
Your heavy workload is now bundled up with final exams and due dates.
You need more time. Even if you’re not hitting a home run at this
point, stay in the game, play smart, and you’ll score the run.
Read More...
Roaring
Lambs or Bleating Sheep?
“I
just wanna be a sheep, bah-ba-ba-bah!”...
It might not be a Grammy-award winning song, but it tells a great truth:
Big or small, old or young, rich or poor, we are all lambs of the Great
Shepherd.
Read More...
THIS
CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LIFE Life
looms before you -- what will you do with the time you’ve been given?
Read
More...
HEALTH 101 -- College Style
Alone
for the first time, life can seem a bit overwhelming.
With deadlines, rent payments and utility bills, the last thing you’re
wanting is to adhere to a daily diet. Get some tips on how to avoid the
dreaded “Freshman 15" plus more healthy eating tips...Read
More...
Keeping Christ on Campus
College campuses can be big -- so big, in fact, that students often lose
track of their faith. But according to 24-year-old Abbie Smith, post-secondary
education doesn’t have to destroy or even dim your faith in Christ.
Read More...
Adventurous
Alternatives
After
you graduate from high school you’ll go to university, right? Then
you’ll get a good job, marry and raise kids, retire and buy a condo
in Florida?
Hmm ... do you really feel like living the norm, or pursuing an adventure?
Read
More...
Like
what you're reading? Check out our
Life 101 Archives