Book Review: One Bible, Many Versions
by Dustin Walters
The twentieth century has witnessed a significant increase in Bible translations for the church. Such a plethora of versions force Christians to find a compelling reason to select one over another. Yet this topic has certainly seen its fair-share of controversy as well. English-speaking Christians are often divided over the particular translation(s) God might use to accomplish His work. At the same time, most Christians in other countries are grateful if they have even one translation of the Bible! In One Bible, Many Versions (IVP Academic, 2013) Dave Brunn explains translation theory as well as translation practice [1]. He calls for English-speaking Christians to become more unified by using good theories from the various translations.
The Author & His Argument
Dave Brunn has served as a missionary, translator, and educator. He spent more than twenty years in Papua New Guinea (“PNG”) where he served the Lamogai people in church planting, literacy training, and Bible translation and consultations [2]. Brunn’s background as a missionary and translator makes him a reliable author on this particular subject. He bases his work on real world translation, rather than ideal or abstract theory.
Brunn’s purpose for writing this book is to show that English versions of the Bible have more in common than they may appear. By showing the commonality among all translations, Brunn argues that there should be more unity. In the introduction, he states, “It is my heartfelt prayer that this book will make some small contribution toward promoting the kind of unity God intends His word to foster among His children” [3].
Summary
Brunn begins by giving the reader a general overview of the material to be discussed. He recollects his missionary background, and shows that people cannot come to know God and the glory of serving Him without proper translation.
In the preface and chapter one, Brunn catches his reader’s attention by discussing his time as a missionary translator in PNG where he worked to provide the PNG people with a New Testament in their own language. While there, Brunn saw the Gospel transform people and their culture. He found that the same Gospel that was transforming people in PNG was dividing English-speaking Christians. The Bible was having a unifying effect. Yet it also can be decisive for some. Brunn claims that such division is caused by the unclear standards accepted by all translators. He goes on to argue that translators often break their own rules, with the specific issues of form and meaning being the key issue.
Brunn provides clear definitions for the terms form and meaning in chapter two. Form includes letters, words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs. Meaning includes concepts or thoughts associated with each form. Translators have often prioritized one or the other, but Brunn shows that both are equally essential to providing a faithful and accurate translation. He says, “Without the form to act as a conduit, there would be no message” [4]. The in-depth discussion in this chapter is really worth the price of the book.
Brunn explains in chapter three that though there are many works on Bible translation, most often they only present theories rather than what is practiced. In this chapter Brunn shows the reader how every translator may have a particular theory regarding translation, but what they practice is a very different thing. Brunn also identifies the four primary types of translations:
1) Highly Literal: These translations do not try to follow English grammatical rules. Interlinear translations are seen as highly literal.
2) Modified Literal: This includes translations like the KJV, NASB, and the ESV. These versions focus closely on words and modify Hebrew and Greek Grammar just enough to make an English sentence.
3) Idiomatic (meaning-based translations): This includes the NLT, the CEV, God’s Word, and The Voice. These translations focus less on finding one English word for every Hebrew/Greek word. Greek literary style is not as emphasized, but clear meaning is.
4) Unduly Free: Historical meaning is radically changed and all basic translation principles are ignored. The only example given is The Cotton Patch Version.
In chapter four, Brunn shows that there is more to a word than may initially appear. He uses the example of the Greek word logos, which is most often translated word in English translations. Greek students know that the lexical form of logos contains a deeper meaning than translators present. Since there is more to a word than can be seen on the surface, it is impossible to have a truly word-for-word translation. He said, “The examples in this chapter clearly show that no English Bible version is a consistent word-for-word representation of the original” [5]. This might be surprising to some readers, but it is a helpful clarification.
Brunn provides four criteria for making adjustments in translations in chapter five (remember, all translations break their own rules):
1) Adjustment is often required by the grammar of the target language.
2) Adjustment is often needed to make sure the correct meaning comes through.
3) Adjustment is often needed for clarity of meaning.
4) Adjustment is often necessary for the sake of naturalness or readability.
This chapter closes with a discussion of the types of information translators seek to extract: implicit or explicit information. Brunn says, “A careful translator will not arbitrarily turn implicit information into explicit information. Translators should only add implicit information when it is required by one of the four criteria for adjustment” [6].
Chapter six is more theological in nature as Brunn shows the relationship between inspiration and translation, because “[n]o discussion on Bible translation would be complete without looking into the matter of divine inspiration” [7]. Brunn agrees with B.B. Warfield in saying, “Every detail of the original is the product of the creative breath of God” [8]. By saying this, Brunn does not mean that translators should focus merely on the words in translation, because there is no true word-for-word translation, as indicated earlier.
To this point, Brunn has focused on Bible translation in English. But in chapter seven, Brunn relates Babel and Bible translation. Brunn’s purpose in this chapter is to challenge the reader to think in terms of non-Indo European language, because as he claims much of the translation debate lies in Indo-European languages. He says, “We cannot afford to leave the Babel factor out of the translation equation. If we do we will be forced to rely on incomplete information and incomplete information will inevitably produce incomplete and faulty conclusions” [9]. In other words, a complete discussion on translation must go beyond the language one knows and into other (non-Indo-European) languages.
In chapter eight, Brunn shows how the New Testament writers were translators themselves. The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) began to be composed approximately 300 years before the time of Christ. Brunn says, “Even though there are no translation standards prescribed in Scripture, there are translation standards exemplified in Scripture” [10]. New Testament writers often translated form, implying that it is permissible to modern translator to change form for the sake of readability. This is one of many points in the book in which the complexity of remaining true to the intended meaning of the text is visible—a point explored further in chapter nine.
Brunn concludes the book by stating that we should focus more on translation similarities, rather than differences. We should not allow the discussion on Bible translation to stay in the realm of the ideal, but most move to actualities. The following prayer that concludes the book reflects Brunn’s heartbeat:
My prayer is that each of us will begin to grasp the significance of the awesome resource that is so readily available to us as English-speaking Christians- and that we will press forward together in our effectiveness for the Lord Jesus Christ through a living, growing sense of unity that is firmly rooted in truth [11].
Reflections
At times, this book was quite technical, but Brunn clearly shows the reader that more is involved in Bible translation than we might imagine. Brunn’s extensive use of charts and external sources shows his academic, yet spiritual interest in Bible translation. The author did communicate difficult concepts in a way that readers can understand through careful reading. Brunn accomplishes his thesis throughout the book by moving readers to a more realistic view of Bible translation.
If we are to put any rest to the translation debate, this is a book that should be consulted. This resource will prove helpful to scholars, pastors, students, and laity. Brunn writes with an academic interest in mind, yet shows his pastoral heart in his desire to see the Bible change culture like he saw in PNG. One Bible, Many Versions prompts the reader to have a deeper appreciation for all Bible translations, even those that might have some inadequacies.
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[1] One Bible, Many Translations, Many Versions: Are All Translations Created Equal? (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2013), 207 pgs. $12.09 (paperback).
[2] See www.davebrunn.com
[3] Brunn, 17.
[4] Ibid., 38.
[5] Ibid., 83.
[6] Ibid., 90.
[7] Ibid., 99.
[8] Ibid., 100, footnote.
[9] Ibid., 146.
[10] Ibid., 148.
[11] Ibid., 193.
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About the Author: Dustin Walters is currently a junior at Welch College studying pastoral ministry. He currently serves as junior class chaplain and Pi Gamma Chi president. For Dustin, there is no greater combination than theology and coffee.
February 21, 2014
You did a great job Dustin. I appreciate the hard work that went into that book review. Certainly a book worth reading on a subject more complex than most Christians realize. Keep up the good work. I look forward to hearing more from you in the future.
March 5, 2014
Eric, thanks for your encouragement. I truly enjoy writing on this platform.