From the Mind of God to the Mind of Man : A Layman's Guide to How We Got Our Bible [Paperback]

James B. Williams (Author, Editor), Randolph Shaylor (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

The current controversy over the Bible's text and translations is creating confusion. True, biblical and historical facts on the text, translation, and transmission of Scripture must be restated in layman's terms.

Product Details

• Paperback: 231 pages
• Publisher: Ambassador-Emerald International; Fourth Edition edition (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889893382
• ISBN-13: 978-1889893389
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #971,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book on the Bible version debate, November 17, 2008

By 

Arjan Manwani - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From the Mind of God to the Mind of Man : A Layman's Guide to How We Got Our Bible (Paperback)

This book is an excellent reply to KJV-only types. The authors explain the origin of the Bible in a way that is accurate and understandable.

11 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Holds the Fort against King James Onlyism, March 22, 2002

By 

J. Ng (Scarborough, Ontario) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: From the Mind of God to the Mind of Man : A Layman's Guide to How We Got Our Bible (Paperback)

The primary purpose of this work to help local pastors and lay people understand the historical, Biblical facts concerning the Bible's text, translation and transmission.

It has good chapters on the textual transmission of the Bible, the Textus Receptus, and the history of the English Bible including, in particular, the King James Bible. Where it comes across a little wobbly is its review of modern versions. In its chapter on versions since 1880, linguistic concepts like "dynamic equivalence" and "paraphrase" are inadequately treated. Hence, translations like the TEV, NIV, CEV, NLT, and The Message come off rather undervalued, and unfairly so in my view, while the NASB, NKJV, and RSV receive much praise.

This was one book I had eagerly anticipated and would have loved to commend unreservedly. It was with considerable excitement that I opened the paperback when it arrived in Singapore. While I think that the book answers its authors' primary concerns over the King James Only controversy (e.g. unity, pseudo-textual criticism, historical revisionism and superstition over the KJB's pedigree and transmission, unjustified criticism and hatred of the RSV), it comes across a little weak in translational theory, which happens to be a very crucial area.
Its strength, doubtless, is in laying the theological groundwork, explaining key concepts of textual criticism to university-level minds, and exposing the inconsistencies of KJBO. May those who will listen, listen.

I believe that From the Mind of God will fulfill its purpose of holding its ground against KJBOism. It may just be the stop-gap measure needed for such a time as this. But it won't move the train forward. I look forward to a book that would take the issue beyond the good progress made through the KJB, that would leverage on the progress made in sound modern linguistic research, and that would bear fruit in once again bringing the Scriptures to the ploughboys of the new millennium, if Christ tarries, with practical pointers of using modern English Bibles in memorisation, evangelism, teaching, missions, reading, drama, music, and all other aspects of Christian and church life.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Judgement, November 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: From the Mind of God to the Mind of Man : A Layman's Guide to How We Got Our Bible (Paperback)

THis book contains excellent scholarship and the attitude that is communicated is above reproach. I have personally listened to some of these writers in various teaching postions, and they are men of excellent character and wisdom. This book is written with the intent to inform and correct faulty information, not necessarily to persuade someone to convert to their same position. I whole heartedly endorse this book.