Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

My reading at this point is admittedly superficial. I had expected (as both the title and sub title suggest) that it would be a history of the transmission of the original autographs to the Bible we have in our hands. Instead it appears to be more a defence of the so called "new" versions, and the underpinning Critical Text(I think Nestle Aland are up to the 27th Edition to date) upon which they are largely based. There is implied attack upon the King James Version and its supporters.
However on the plus side, it gives an insight into the mindset of some of the "new" version advocates, and the arguements they use. As a King James supporter (but hopefully not a blinkered one), I am always keen to be exposed to the advocates of the alternative viewpoint, and so steer my way through the conflicting arguements.
What would I wanted to know before buying? Is the book strongly or slightly pro King James, "balanced", slightly for, or strongly for the "new" versions? My belief : slightly for.
In summary : disappointing, but it has its consolations.

John Russell, Casino, Australia.

Splendly written! These brethren explain the isuses of Inspiration and Preservation exquistly. This book is a MUST for ANY Bible College "Bible Interp" type class. A must read for any B.B.F. Pastor and any F.B.F. Pastor too. It is especally necessary to ANY Fundemental Baptist Missionary that will be doing ANY translation work.

Don't be affraid to read the truth.

Measured, wise, concise, logical, reasoned, and perhaps most importantly, a spiritual book by twelve fundamentalist pastors. In don't know that one will find a better book on the subject of Bible versions. If you are interested in the Bible version controversy, but you don't read this book, you remain in relative ignorance. I exhort all interested in finding the truth on this issue, to read this book.

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I've read several books of this type and to date this is the best one. I've also read several of the critiques of this work by those who hold to the King James ONLY position and find their position contradictory and severely lacking scholarship. This book is scholarly where it needs to be and readable when it needs to be - in contrast to the bulk of those who criticize it. I commend the book for those who are desireous of an introduction to this vital subject.

A good basic review of the Critical Text position as held by Bob Jones University. Somewhat simplistic, with some misleading and/or false statements. However, it is not as abrasive or misleading as most KJVO books, and it does a decent job of being fair to the other side.