Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament [Hardcover]

Jason David BeDuhn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2003

Written with the student and interested public in mind, Truth in Translation aims to explain what is involved and what is at stake in Bible translation. It begins with brief treatments of the background to the Bible and its translation, the various approaches to translation, and the specific origins of nine translation versions in wide use in the English-speaking world today. It then proceeds to compare those versions on nine points of translation, ranging from individual terms, to difficult passages, to whole categories of grammar. The book serves to inform readers of the forces at work shaping the meaning of the Bible, to help in their selection of Bible translations, and to act as a critical catalyst for the improvement of Bible translations through more careful attention to the risk of bias in the translation process.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jason David BeDuhn is Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Humanities, Arts, and Religion, Northern Arizona University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 220 pages
• Publisher: University Press Of America (May 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076182555X
• ISBN-13: 978-0761825555
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

177 of 192 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It says the truth about Bible translations, January 1, 2005

By 

Basileios Tsialas (Athens, Greece) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament (Paperback)

I am Greek, I have been raised in Greece, I have studied Classical Greek for two years in high school (Classical Greek is much more complicated than koine, or Common Greek) and I have been studding the original Greek text of the Bible for about 10 years. Having this background, I responsibly say that this book presents quite right, well documented and reliable linguistic information. Yes, its writer must be considered adequate as regards his knowledge of the Biblical Greek. So, this book sheds plenty of light about subjects of whitch the common English reader has no idea. For example: English readers often claim that NW is false in Jonh 1:1. Trinitarians in Greece have never used this specific verse to claim that the New World Translation (NW) is wrong, since all the Orthodox versions read actually the same with the greek version of the NW. And this happens because the wording of this verse is very clear for the Greek reader, and there is no place for debate. I am sorry to say this, but for a Greek it is rediculus to debate on John 1:1.

Of course, many will be disappointed by BeDunh because he proves that many of the famous Bible versions are inaccurate and mislead their readers. But face the facts! What matters is not what translators say but what Bible says!

150 of 164 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So you think your New Testament is an unbiased translation??, January 25, 2004

By 

thecastlebookroom "thecastlebookroom" (Bakersfield, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament (Paperback)

This welcome treatise might appropriately be subtitled: "To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before," as it takes a hard, objective look at the accuracy of our popular New Testament Bibles in a way that hasn't been done before (at least any time recently, to my knowledge - and I've been looking for a long time).

The author must be credited for his boldness in tackling this volatile subject with such an objective approach, as he adds up the score card of accuracy (plus points) and bias (minus points) on 9 very popular New Testament translations.

If your favorite is in here (mine is), you will be challenged by the information in this book. But also, hopefully, inspired to dig deeper, think harder, pray more, and search ever more diligently, as you evaluate those cherished beliefs which are based on your favorite Bible translation. There are winners (two very surprising translations stand out from the rest) and losers (again, two others are rated so low that the author contends they shouldn't be called "Bibles" at all, but labeled as "Commentaries"), but absolutely none remain unscathed by Beduhn's burning textual spotlight.

The author is detailed and specific - nothing vague or nebulous about his approach. The Greek original is shown (in "interlinear" English), and the 9 are lined up for comparison. The criteria and conclusions are explained in detail, in layman's terminology that is easy to follow (in just a very few places the book lapses into technical jargon that I had to struggle with). The author must be credited with bringing us non-Greek-speaking Bible adherents one step closer to the Greek manuscripts upon which all modern New Testament translations are based.

The 9 translations discussed are the King James (or Authorized Version), the Amplified Bible, the Living Bible, the New American Bible, the New American Standard Bible, the New International Version, the New Revised Standard Version, the New World Translation, and Today's English Version. The verses chosen for analysis are so clearly explained that any translation could be tested, so the book will be of equal benefit to those who might favor another less popular translation.

I can't say I agree with every conclusion that the author reaches, but I'm grateful for his opening this dialogue, and for doing so with an obviously studied attempt to avoid bias and polemics himself, a rarity among textual critics. I paid a little more for this book (the softcover edition) than I usually do, but it was worth every penny. This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking work that should be welcomed by any who are curious about the accuracy of our modern Bibles, and by all who look to their Bible for life-giving words of truth ~ for it is only by the truth that we are set free.

As a parting note to the author: You challenged my beliefs and my Bible, so I would like to make this challenge to you...(it's so obvious that your book begs the comment without my saying it) - Produce and publish a New Testament of your own, one that scores 100% on your Truth in Translation scale. I'll be one of the first to buy it and review it. Note: a complimentary review copy would help =)

77 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Examining the Accuracy of Nine Major N. T. Translations, August 6, 2004

By 

E. Jones - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament (Paperback)

No two translations of the Bible read exactly alike. Many people want to know why. Jason BeDuhn's goal is to provide to the non-Bible language reader the reasons why some translations are more accurate than others.

In the book nine major English N.T. translations are examined. They are the:

King James Version
New Revised Standard Version
New International Version
New American Bible
New American Standard Bible
Amplified Bible
Living Bible
Today's English Version
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

BeDuhn grades them on accuracy based on how they handled nine key verses or translation issues. BeDuhn chose these points because these are really important points to many people and it it at important points that bias tends to creep into the picture. The nine key chapters are:

Bowing to Bias: Which is more accurate "bow" or "worship" at Mattthew 28:9 and related verses?

Grasping at Accuracy: Did Jesus not "exploit" his equality with God or did he not "grasp" for equality with God at Phillipians 2:6?

When is a Man Not a Man?: This chapter deals with gender bias issues.

Probing the Implicit Meaning: Should words be added to translated text of Colossians 1:15-20 to clarify the Greek meaning?

Words Together and Apart: Should Titus 2:13 be translated to read that Jesus and God are the same or should they be differentiated?

An Uncertain Throne: Which is the least biased translation of Hebrews 1:8. "Your throne O God" or "God is your throne"?

Tampering with Tenses: What is the correct tense to use in the English translation of John 8:58.

And the Word Was ... What?: Should the English translation of John 1:1 say (esentially) that Jesus is "God" or "divine"?

The Spirit Writ Large: When should the Greek word for "spirit" (such as used in "holy spirit") be capitalized?

In the final chapter Beduhn sums up the results of his investigation. Unexpectedly two translations that most people would assume to be the most biased (The New American Bible translated by Catholics and the New World Translation translated by Jehovah's Witnesses) turned out to be the most accurate translations. BeDuhn gives his reasons on why he thinks the translators from these two widely different groups were able to to produce the most accurate translations of those examined.

There is also an appendix article on why Beduhn thinks the translators of the New World Translation (even though rated one of the best translations) were mistaken to insert the divine name "Jehovah" in the their translation of the NT.

BeDuhn writes in such a way that the average reader can follow. He presents his arguments in a calm respectful way. Tactful but not obtuse. No translation is without bias but BeDuhn helps us to see that just because a translation is different from the ones we are familiar with doesn't mean that the difference is because of bias.