The Word of God in English: Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation [Paperback]

Leland Ryken (Author), C. John Collins (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 12, 2002

With so many Bible translations available, how do you make achoice between them? How do you even know what the criteria shouldbe for making a choice?

As an expert in English literature and literary theory, LelandRyken approaches the translation debate from a practical artisticviewpoint. He believes that many modern translations take libertieswith the biblical text that would not be allowed with any othertype of literary work. Also, what readers are presented with asbiblical text is actually far from the original text. Inliterature, a simplified version of Milton's work is not Milton,and neither is an edition written in contemporary English. Anyonewho is interested in Milton would find any version that changes hiswords unacceptable for serious study. Ryken argues that the samededication to reproducing literature texts as closely as possibleneeds to be present in biblical translation. To do so it isnecessary to take into account the difficulty of working withoriginal languages. Only an essentially literal, "word for word"translation of the Bible can achieve sufficiently high standards interms of literary criteria and fidelity to the original text.

Ryken does not contest that many modern translations have beenused for good, and believes that there is a place for a range ofBible translations, including children's Bibles and Bibleparaphrases. His purpose is not to say that the only Bibleavailable should be one that is essentially literal. Instead, hedefines the translation theory and principles that would result inthe best Bible for English-speaking people and serious students ofthe Bible, and also for the English-speaking church as a whole. Hebelieves that an essentially literal translation is the naturalresult of following these principles.

Along with a short history of translation, Ryken evaluatespresuppositions that impact translation theory. He also examinesfallacies about the Bible, translations in general, and Biblereaders that influence what translation decisions are made.Believing that those who undertake the serious work of translatingGod's Word have an obligation both to God and to others, heassesses the theological, ethical, and hermeneutical issuesinvolved and surveys difficulties with modern translations. Ryken'sliterary expertise gives him the perspective needed to provideChristians with a standard for comparing contemporary Bibletranslations, as well as an understanding of why some translationsmay not convey the very words of God.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Crossway Books (November 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581344643
• ISBN-13: 978-1581344646
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #593,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What is the Most Literal and Literary English Bible..., April 17, 2003

By 

Dr. (Montgomery, Alabama United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Word of God in English: Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation (Paperback)

After reading this exceptional and important work and reading some of the "reviews" I felt compelled to write my own review. I hope this helps.

Since the middle of the twentieth century there has been an explosion of translations of the Bible into English. Between 1952 and 1990 there were twenty-seven English versions of the entire Bible. Several have been added to this number since 1990. Many are excited about this ever-expanding number; others are contending that there may be some negative unintended consequences due to this development.

Most discussions and debates about the "best" translation of the Bible into modern English are rooted in misconceptions about the most reliable original manuscripts, varying philosophies of language, and various translation philosophies. The two main camps are the literal word-for-word, or the dynamic equalevant thought-for-thought.

Dr. Leland Ryken, Professor of English at Wheaton College, brings a unique and discerning perspective to this discussion. Due to his expertise as a Biblical literary critic, Ryken is highly qualified to enter this arena. He has written several helpful books that apply the discipline of literary analysis to the Scriptures. In this current book, Ryken places the discussion of the best English version of the Bible translation within a broader context. The majority of books written over the past few decades that examine English Bibles either take a historical approach by examining the development of the numerous versions, or a linguistic comparison of particular words, phrases or ideas from the original languages into English. Ryken poses different questions and examines the discussion from a broader cultural and literary perspective while providing exceptionally perceptive analysis.

One of the many keen observations within his work, Ryken explores the shift from the more literal KJV, RSV and NASB to the more parphasistic NIV and NLT. He questions the philosophy behind this shift and highlights the errors inherent with diverse translating philosophies. By placing questions of "thought" translations in a philosophical context (how does one have thoughts without words?) and literary context (are some ways of expressing an idea not better than others?), Ryken makes a tremendous contribution to an extremely important issue. Ryken offers persuasive evidence that there is a substantial difference between a translation of the Bible and an interpretation of the Bible.

The book is not a tirade against the KJV for being archaic English or the NIV for being too tolerant by adding words where they are absent, or deleting words where they are present in the original. Ryken is laying the groundwork for dealing with the serious matter of having the best English Bible. Specifically regarding the KJV, Ryken praises the literary quality style of the KJV, while recognizing that it "has become culturally obsolete with its archaic language and deficient scholarship."

Three sections are dedicated to refuting common fallacies of translation. He also does a marvelous job of establishing the criteria of what would be the best English Bible. Nearly half of the book is dedicated to exposing and refuting faulty ideas about the Bible in English and the other half provides many helpful suggestions toward solving these problems.

Ryken's book is a much-needed corrective to misguided translation theories that have contributed to a debasing, rather than an elevating, of the English language. Anyone with a college level education or someone well read and familiar with these issues would benefit from this book.

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Contains essential information for every Bible reader, September 10, 2003

By 

ken_diercouff "[e-mail]" (Colorado Springs, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Word of God in English: Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation (Paperback)

This is a great book and enjoyable to read. Professor Ryken is very informed and has put a lot of thought and analysis into this book. Every student of the Bible should read this book.

Other commentators have covered the high points. Dr. Ryken does a great job of showing the value of paraphrases as a commentary, but not as a translation, certainly not a primary shource. The book is also excellent at explaining the history of Bible as quality literature, certainly above the din of paraphrases such as The Message. (One reader said about the Message, " It's great, if you don't mind Jesus sounding like a used car salesman."!!)

I read almost every major translation and have arrived at many of the same conclusions that Dr. Ryken does. However, he could have given more positive press to the NKJV, since it also has many of the literary qualities found in the translation he praised (the ESV). The fact that the NKJV is based on the Textus Receptus is a plus, not minus, in my book. Also, some of the complaints he had about other translations could also be made about the ESV; it also tends to be interpretive in places. For example Romans 3:25, "to be received through faith" inserts the words, "to be received," forcing the interpretation of the passage. Dr, Ryken also made a passing comment slighting the accuracy in translation in the NKJV, yet in many comparisons I find the NKJV to be equivalent or superior to the ESV. (The fact that the NKJV at times uses various words to translate one Greek work is a stylistic issue; again, the ESV does the same thing with the Greek word "anthropos.")

I wish some attention had been given to the Holman Christian Standard Bible, a new Bible, which is very readable and yet mostly literal. I would admit, however, that the ESV has more literary quality and elegance than the HCSB. Still, the HCSB has some features that the ESV lacks, such as more even-handed alternate readings, more respect for the Byzantine renderings, and some clearer word choices, eg. "sensible" HCSB vs. "sober-minded" ESV. The HCSB also uses normal English sentence structure.

I have learned a lot from this book. I wish it wasn't so much a selling tool for the ESV as an even-handed appraisal of style, literary issues, historical contexts of the original manuscripts, etc. Using Dr.Ryken's criteria, the NKJV and the ESV should both receive high marks. I like the ESV, but even if you aren't enamored by the ESV you can still learn a lot from this book.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Will Never Be The Same, February 26, 2004

By 

A. Garcia (Allentown, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Word of God in English: Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation (Paperback)

The Word of God in English by Leland Ryken is one of the best books I have ever read. It has left an indelible impression on my spiritual life and my view of scripture. Mr. Ryken's arguments and presentation of why we need to use word-for-word translations as oppossed to though-for-thought translations are solid. His examples are clear and fair although I would loved many more of them. Mr. Ryken does an amazing job of elevating scripture(God's Word/Words) to the level they need to be at in our hearts and minds. This book is not a casual read so be prepared to do some serious thinking about an issue that deserves the utmost attention and reverence.

If you are serious about God's word then you must read this book. I don't think I can ever fully trust a dynamic(functional)-equivilent translation ever again. I am not saying I won't use one at some point but after reading this book I will always feel suspicious about whether or not what I am reading is a translation or interpretation. I wanted to be fair so after reading this book I purchased and began to read The Challenge In Bible Tranlsation(ISBN: 0310246857). After reading the arguments/defense that they presented regarding dynamic equivilence translations I am more convinced than ever that the only responsible and sure way to ensure that you are getting what the underlying text actually says as close as possible is to use Formal-Equivilent translations.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book and The Challenge In Bible Tranlsation (ISBN: 0310246857) to those that are serious about studying the bible. I am sure that you will never be the same, I know I never will be.