Distorting Scripture?: The Challenge of Bible Translation and Inclusive Language [Paperback]

Mark L. Strauss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1998

This book is a sane and balanced examination of the issue of gender language in Bible translation, a topic again made relevant recently with the publication of Today's New International Version of the Bible.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mark Strauss has a PhD from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and teaches New Testament at Bethel Seminary San Diego.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (August 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830819401
• ISBN-13: 978-0830819409
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,066,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark L. Strauss (Ph.D., Aberdeen) is professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary San Diego, where he has served since 1994. He is the author of various books and articles including, How to Read the Bible in Changing Times (Baker, 2011); Four Portraits, One Jesus: An Introduction to Jesus and the Gospels (Zondervan, 2007); "Mark," in the revised Expositors Bible Commentary (2010); How to Choose a Translation for All It's Worth (with Gordon D. Fee; 2007); The Essential Bible Companion (with John Walton; 2006); Truth and Error in the Da Vinci Code (2006); Distorting Scripture? The Challenge of Bible Translation and Gender Accuracy (InterVarsity, 1998); "Luke" in the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary (Zondervan, 2002), and The Davidic Messiah in Luke-Acts (Sheffield Press, 1996). He was co-editor and contributor to The Challenge of Bible Translation. Communicating God's Word to the World (Zondervan, 2003), New Testament Editor of the Teach the Text Commentary Series, and Contributing Scholar for the Expanded Bible (Thomas Nelson, 2011). He also serves as Vice-Chair on the Committee for Bible Translation for the New International Version and as an associate editor for the NIV Study Bible.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensible, helpful guide on translation issues, May 5, 2002

By 

Gontroppo "Music and Theology Lover" (Bathurst, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Distorting Scripture?: The Challenge of Bible Translation and Inclusive Language (Paperback)

Mark Strauss' book gets the guernsey for readability and his sane approach to a topic that often unnecessarily gets people's dander up.

It is worth reading Carson's "The Inclusive Language Debate" as well, but you will find his writing style less user-friendly.

One highlight from Strauss' book is his discussion of the translation of ANTHROPOI and ADELPHOI. Earlier Bible translations almost always rendered these words as "men" and "brothers." But it is sometimes obvious that the words are meant to include women as well. At other times it is not so easy to determine. For instance, were women allowed to participate in the selection in Acts 6:3? Did the Samaritan woman only tell all the men about Jesus, or did she speak to women too, in John 4:28?

It would be helpful if Strauss and Carson could update their books to deal with the TNIV and other Bibles completed since their books were published in 1998.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work for Anyone Struggling with the TNIV, February 16, 2002

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Distorting Scripture?: The Challenge of Bible Translation and Inclusive Language (Paperback)

I must confess that when Zondervan and the International Bible Society announced recently that they were releasing a gender-neutral version of the NIV (dubbed the TNIV), I was enraged. Especially after striking a deal with James Dobson and other reputable, conservative Christian leaders NOT to produce a gender-neutral NIV at any time in the future, I was fit to be tied when I read the news! How dare they "water-down" the translation of the Bible I have used in my twenty years of pastoral ministry just to appease a minority of vocal, feminist interests in the evangelical church!

Anyway, Strauss approaches the issue of gender-neutral translation from the standpoint of a complementarian who has a very high view of Scripture. He definitely does NOT have a feminist agenda. He actually identifies merits of the gender-neutral translation process that help make God's eternal truth more understandable in today's culture.

Particularly of help to me was his detailed description of the translation process. A gender-oriented Hebrew or Greek word can be used in a variety of different ways in the ancient manuscripts, just as a gender-oriented word can be used in a variety of different ways in modern English. Strauss emphasizes the struggle sincere, conservative scholars have with gender-related issues as they pursue Biblical ACCURACY, not feminist APPEASEMENT.

I'm still not happy with the way the release of the TNIV has been handled, and I don't agree with the need to be as gender-inclusive as the CBT translators have been. Strauss' work has helped me greatly, however, to understand the motives of the "other side." It has also opened my eyes to the truth that there is actually some merit to gender-neutral translation when it is done for the sake of communicating clearly the original message of the author, and not for the sake of advancing a particular theological or political agenda.

If you're struggling with the TNIV as I have done, I strongly recommend you purchase this book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Scholar's Explains The Inclusive Language Debate, January 16, 2004

By 

Evagrius Ponticus - See all my reviews

This review is from: Distorting Scripture?: The Challenge of Bible Translation and Inclusive Language (Paperback)

Dr. Mark Strauss provides a classic book on Bible translation, focusing in the particular challenge of inclusive language.

Beginning with an overview of the different methods of translation, Dr. Strauss guides the reader through the strengths and weaknesses of each method. The range of interpretive views are covered, from strictly literalist through feminist translations.

The bulk of the book focuses on specific issues of gender translation, and appears to address issues already raised by others. In this sense, it comes off sometimes as defensive. However, the writing is always clear and compassionate towards other views.

This book does not push a 'revisionist' bible. Instead, it argues that where the author of the original manuscript uses language that is not gender specific, then current translations should honor that and use modern english that is not gender specific. However, where the language clearly calls for gender, then gender should be preserved.

In his conclusion of the book, Dr. Strauss offers several issues that require further clarification. An update to this book, addressing these issues, is needed to keep the book current and relevant. Otherwise, this is a great book for the study and understanding of the gender-language debate.