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120 of 133 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
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 =)
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by Henry Dana Ward
