Essential Guide to Bible Versions [Paperback]

Philip W. Comfort (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

An academic textbook and tutorial that answers complex questions about accuracy and translation methods for the many different English Bible translations, and that introduces readers to Bible manuscripts and textual criticism. The Essential Guide to Bible Versions is an expanded and completely revised trade and classroom edition of The Complete Guide to Bible Versions, in trade paper.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers; Rev Exp edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 084233484X
• ISBN-13: 978-0842334846
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #623,034 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jason Driesbach holds degrees from Cedarville University and Dallas Theological Seminary and is an independent editor and lifelong student of the ancient Near East with a special interest in Hebrew Bible and Septuagint studies. He has taught in numerous churches and is an editor for the Cornerstone Biblical Commentary series. He enjoys spending time with his wife and children, being outdoors, and playing the guitar.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative!, March 13, 2001

By 

Soozie4Him (Chicago suburbs) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Essential Guide to Bible Versions (Paperback)

Although I'm a layperson who studies the Bible for my own personal faith and leading a Bible Study, I really enjoyed this book. I think that pastors and serious Bible students would probably get more out of it, but learned a lot from Dr. Comfort's discussion!

Dr. Comfort discusses how the Old Testament and New Testament were canonized, the impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and this history of Bible translation. I was especially interested in John Wycliffe's story and how he objected to many aspects of the Catholic church 150 years before Martin Luther's "95 Theses"! Wycliffe is often called "The Morning Star of the Reformation" and of course Wycliffe Bible Translators was named after this man who was the first to translate God's Word into English.

Tyndale lived about the same time as Luther and was killed because of his translation of the New Testament. He kept getting the Bible out to people in England, and the Catholic Church kept confiscating and burning them. Tyndale's dying prayer was "Lord, open the King of England's eyes!"

A student of Tyndale, Miles Coverdale completed the work that Tyndale started. He finished the translation of the Bible. About that time, King Henry VIII had broken ties with the Pope and was ready for an English translation of the Bible. Tyndale's prayer had been answered!

Dr. Comfort's book gives a detailed account of how each Bible version came into being, and whether the versions are word-for-word (KJV, NKJV, RSV), thought-for-thought (NIV) functionally equivalent (CEV, NLT) or a paraphrase (The Living Bible and The Message).

He recommends that today's Bible readers should use more than one translation to get a complete overview. Personally, I use NIV mostly, but I also really like New Living Translation. And reading The Message gives a fresh approach and is really good for pleasure reading.

I highly recommend "The Contemporary Parallel New Testament" edited by John R. Kohlenberger. This wonderful book has 8 Bible versions side-by-side (all 8 versions of a passage on a two-page spread).

Please see my other reviews for many reviews of different Bibles and check out my Listmania List "Great Bibles" for info on some of my favorites!

God bless you in your study of the Word of God!

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wanna know what you're paying for?, October 21, 2002

By 

"petertheunworthyangel" (Monterey, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Guide to Bible Versions (Paperback)

This book has a great history of how our modern bible translations came to be, much of which can be found on the net or in the forward of any parallel New Testament. The only thing I found discouraging about the book is the...promotion of the New Living Translation, also a product of the Tyndale house (hint, hint). From the conclusion, one is led to believe the NLT is the only valid interpretation. The redeeming factor was held in the final pages of comparison; here many of the disputed or "missing" verses of the KJV were analyzed and competently put in context.

Pro's
1 Detailed history of the Bible
2 A general overview of the style of interpretation of many versions (i.e. word for word v. thought for thought)
3 The lineage of many versions (i.e. Latin Vulgate, Greek, Textus Receptus etc.)
4 An analysis and listing of disputed verses of the KJV

Con's
1 Some of the descriptions are, shall we say, long-winded.
2 A blatantly one-sided view of the authority of the New Living Translation which, just "happens to be" from the same publishing house. After I read this book, I had to go and research the evolution of the Bible for myself to ensure that what I'd just read wasn't just an advertisement.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What should we believe?, June 2, 2001

By 

Renee L. Miller (Ocala, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Guide to Bible Versions (Paperback)

The sad part is that most of my brothers & sisters in Christ would be appalled to find that I have a strong affinity with Phillip Comfort's view of historicity & reliability. His was the most readable book on this subject I've studied. Most of the time the details and the "back & forth" nature of the subject matter leave me confused & with a loss of interest. Comfort didn't--in fact, I could hardly put it down once I'd started (ask my wife). After reading and re-reading and re-re-reading, I decided I ought to be fair and hear what the "other side" had to say about his lack of attachment to tradition--KJV, etc.. I was not surprised, but was disappointed with their lack of scholarship and their attempts to encite hysteria in those who might not think EXACTLY as they do. I was most put off by the personal attacks on the character & faith of those who didn't line up with them. They are the ones who appear hysterical & deeply afraid that any new thoughts or evidence would destroy the faith of millions. Phillip Comfort was trying (with great success in my opinion) to increase my faith in God's word--and to make sure we know what it is--and isn't. I highly recommend this book.