The Word of God in English, by Leland Ryken

As part of some course work on Bible Translation and Hermeneutics I read this text from Leland Ryken. I was very impressed with his scholarship as well as his patient and gracious handling of an issue that could cause some to think that he had a personal issue to vent in regards to Dynamic Equivalent Translations. But he gives good background to his thoughts and provides details of his research to help articulate what he is thinking in regards to translations.

There are two main translation types that most of us know about today. There are the Literal Translations (commonly known as word for word) and there are the Dynamic Equivalent Translations (commonly known as thought for thought). Although Ryken will provide background on both types of translation work it will become very evident which is his preferred style. But I have to say that I understand why after reading through his work.

He will go through the different structures and types of literature found in the Bible from Historical accounts to Narratives to Parables and Poetry. In each case he will examine the difference in translation process and give you time to dwell on what he has to say and then make up your own mind.

In the camp of Literal Translations he lists the King James Version, the English Standard Version, the New American Standard Version and the Revised Standard Version. On the side of Dynamic Equivalent falls, New International Version, The Message, The New English Bible, The New Living Translation and others.

What I found most helpful were the Tables in the back of the book where he diagrams out several passages of scripture and allows you to see how the different translations handle the text. This is very enlightening.

One final thought, he makes an excellent point about the original languages and the need for Pastor's, Teachers, Expositors and Scholars to depend on original languages, and if they don't read or understand those then they need to be prepared to know why they choose the translation that they will be working from and know whether they can trust it to give a good translation of the actual text or if they give a translation with their own commentary included.

I highly recommend this book to any Bible Student who wants to understand better the work of Translation of Scriptures and why there is so much difference in the translations that you find in your local Bible Book Stores today.

Enjoy!