Download: Restoration Theology Student Notes

Challenges of Translation

“Translator, traitor”: Lose/add meaning.

Every translation is commentary

English groove from 500 years – hard to break traditions.

Process of Translation

Critical texts: BHS (OT), NA/UBS (NT).

Formal equivalence: Literal, word-for-word (e.g., NASB).

Dynamic: Thought-for-thought, readable (e.g., NIV).

Review: Committees avoid controversy.

Dangers

Individual: Bias unchecked.

Committee: Business-driven, audience-specific.

Detecting Bias

Types: Evangelical (e.g., NIV adds “Son of God” in Mark 1:1).

Mainline: Less bias (e.g., NRSV).

Catholic: NABRE

Jewish: OT focus (e.g., JPS).

Unitarian: Removes Trinitarian bias (e.g., REV).

Examples: Rom 9:5 (Christ as God? Ambiguous).

Conclusion : Compare translations; learn languages if possible.