With so many Bible translations available, how do you make achoice between them? How do you even know what the criteria shouldbe for making a choice?
As an expert in English literature and literary theory, LelandRyken approaches the translation debate from a practical artisticviewpoint. He believes that many modern translations take libertieswith the biblical text that would not be allowed with any othertype of literary work. Also, what readers are presented with asbiblical text is actually far from the original text. Inliterature, a simplified version of Milton's work is not Milton, and neither is an edition written in contemporary English. Anyonewho is interested in Milton would find any version that changes hiswords unacceptable for serious study. Ryken argues that the samededication to reproducing literature texts as closely as possibleneeds to be present in biblical translation. To do so it isnecessary to take into account the difficulty of working withoriginal languages. Only an essentially literal, "word for word"translation of the Bible can achieve sufficiently high standards interms of literary criteria and fidelity to the original text.
Ryken does not contest that many modern translations have beenused for good, and believes that there is a place for a range ofBible translations, including children's Bibles and Bibleparaphrases. His purpose is not to say that the only Bibleavailable should be one that is essentially literal. Instead, hedefines the translation theory and principles that would result inthe best Bible for English-speaking people and serious students ofthe Bible, and also for the English-speaking church as a whole. Hebelieves that an essentially literal translation is the naturalresult of following these principles.
Along with a short history of translation, Ryken evaluatespresuppositions that impact translation theory. He also examinesfallacies about the Bible, translations in general, and Biblereaders that influence what translation decisions are made.Believing that those who undertake the serious work of translatingGod's Word have an obligation both to God and to others, heassesses the theological, ethical, and hermeneutical issuesinvolved and surveys difficulties with modern translations. Ryken'sliterary expertise gives him the perspective needed to provideChristians with a standard for comparing contemporary Bibletranslations, as well as an understanding of why some translationsmay not convey the very words of God.
