40 Questions about Bible Translation is authored by Mark L. Strauss and edited by Benjamin L. Merkle. This book was published in 2023 by Kregel Academic, and at the time of this review, it is the latest volume in the 40 Questions series.
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40 Questions about Bible Translation
I’ve been a fan of this 40 Questions series since its inception. This latest volume on Bible translation is evidence of why I like this series. Not only is the format something that I enjoy (concise chapters that answer specific questions), but, most importantly, the content is excellent! Mark Strauss was the right author for this volume. He is not only a Bible commentator (which deals with lots of translation), but he has also been involved with Bible translation for many years as he serves as Vice Chair of the Committee on Bible Translation for the New International Version.
The book is nicely divided into 6 parts:
- The Necessity, Goals, and Methods of Bible Translation
- Preparing to Translate
- Challenges for Translators
- The History of (English) Bible Translation
- Contemporary English Versions
- International Bible Translation
Those various parts provide a diverse range of questions to be dealt with. Questions range from “what are the main philosophies or methods of translation?” to “which manuscripts should a Bible version follow?” to “what is the King James Version and how did it come to be?”. Strauss masterfully answers these questions and proves himself to be not only a translator of the Bible, but a historian and theologian as well.
As a student of the Bible, I loved reading through this book! For anyone who is proficient in the biblical languages, this book will be enjoyed due to its helpfulness as you consider how to translate different parts of the Bible. Please don’t misunderstand; I don’t believe that this volume is only for those who love the original languages of the Bible. This book will be greatly valuable for anybody who loves the Bible and desires to better understand how we have received our wonderful English translations from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. For that reason alone, I hope that many people will spend time in this wonderful book by Strauss. Tolle lege, take up and read!
Disclaimer: My thanks to the Kregel Academic for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Other Book Reviews in the “40 Questions” Series:
- 40 Questions About Islam
- 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell
- 40 Questions About Pastoral Ministry
- 40 Questions About Prayer
- 40 Questions About Roman Catholicism
- 40 Questions About Typology and Allegory
Matt became a joyful follower of Jesus at the age of 21. He is very grateful to be a husband to Lindsey, and a father to four boys. He is an ordained minister (teaching elder) in the PCA. He previously served as a pastor of biblical counseling and is currently a corporate chaplain in southern Delaware. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds an advanced certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors. In his free time, he loves playing with his boys, traveling with his wife, and reading (and buying!) books.
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