October 9, 2006

Book of the Week: The Word of God in English

This volume challenged many of my notions on translations. Leland Ryken aims withering fire at dynamic equivalence, and modern translations such as the Jerusalem Bible, the Message, and especially the NIV emerge bloody from the assault.

Different from the KJV Only crowd, Ryken's complaint is not with the original text. He has no complaint with the manuscripts used in the various translations. He is much more concerned with the method of translation, which has robbed the modern English reader of the richness of meaning inherent in the Scriptures.

From the very outset, he challenges the foundations of the dynamic equivalence philosophy, making the very important point that principles used in translating the Bible into a new language do not necessarily apply to a translation from the original languages into English--where the Bible is practically a native book.

Ryken's love for the King James Version is evident throughout the book, although he does not advocate a return to it. He laments it's loss, but recognizes that it's archaisms make it invalid for today's use. Although he never comes out and says it specifically, it is quite obvious that he prefers the English Standard Version (ESV). This comes as no surprise, since he served on the translation committee for that version.

This book is essential reading for those interested in seriously studying the translations issue. I only wish it had been part of the required reading when I was in Bible College.

Click here to check out previous book-of-the-week offerings.

Posted by Andrew on October 9, 2006 2:31 PM.