Translating Truth: The Case for Essentially Literal Bible Translation
Authors: C. John Collins, Wayne Grudem, Vern Sheridan Poythress, Leland Ryken, Bruce Winter, J. I. Packer

Which translation do I choose?

In an age when there is a wide choice of English Bible translations, the issues involved in Bible translating are steadily gaining interest. Consumers often wonder what separates one Bible version from another.

The contributors to this book argue that there are significant differences between literal translations and the alternatives. The task of those who employ an essentially literal Bible translation philosophy is to produce a translation that remains faithful to the original languages, preserving as much of the original form and meaning as possible while still communicating effectively and clearly in the receptors’ languages.

Translating Truth advocates essentially literal Bible translation and in an attempt to foster an edifying dialogue concerning translation philosophy. It addresses what constitutes “good” translation, common myths about word-for-word translations, and the importance of preserving the authenticity of the Bible text. The essays in this book offer clear and enlightening insights into the foundational ideas of essentially literal Bible translation.

About the Authors

C. John Collins is Professor of Old Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, where he teaches courses on Hebrew and Greek grammar and exegesis as well as Science and Theology. He has published numerous articles in technical journals as well as in The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis. He is the author of The God of Miracles and Science and Faith: Friends or Foes? (both Crossway), and of Genesis 1–4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary (Presbyterian & Reformed, forthcoming).

Dr. Wayne Grudem is Research Professor of Bible and Theology at Phoenix Seminary in Scottsdale, Arizona. He taught for twenty years at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he was chairman of the department of Biblical and Systematic Theology. He has published twelve books, including Systematic Theology (Zondervan), Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (coedited with John Piper, Crossway), The TNIV and the Gender-Neutral Bible Controversy (coauthored with Vern Poythress, Broadman & Holman), Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth (Multnomah), and The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today (Crossway).

Vern Sheridan Poythress is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, where he has taught for more than twenty-five years. He is author of Philosophy, Science and the Sovereignty of God (Presbyterian & Reformed); Symphonic Theology (Zondervan); Science and Hermeneutics (Zondervan); God-Centered Biblical Interpretation (Presbyterian & Reformed); and The Returning King: A Guide to Revelation (Presbyterian & Reformed).

 Dr. Leland Ryken (Ph.D., University of Oregon) is Professor of English at Wheaton College where he has taught for four decades.. He has authored or edited several books, including The Word of God in English, The Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, and The Complete Literary Guide to the Bible. He is a frequent speaker at the Evangelical Theological Society and served as literary stylist for The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.

Bruce Winter is Warden and Director of the Institute for Early Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World at Tyndale House, Cambridge, Fellow of St Edmund’s College, University of Cambridge, and Senior Research Fellow, Macquarie University, Sydney. He is editor of Tyndale Bulletin, and author of numerous articles, book chapters, and books, including After Paul Left Corinth (Eerdmans) and Roman Wives, Roman Widows

 J. I. Packer, noted Bible scholar and author, is currently a professor of theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has authored the classic bestseller Knowing God, as well as a number of other titles. Most recently, he served as General Editor for the English Standard Version Bible, published by Crossway Bibles.