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Rating: 
Summary: A Must Read
Review: BeDuhn did an absolutely wonderful job in this book. He opens the book with a statement about his bias, or rather his lack of it, and from there on it is fantastic tool for each christian to use to find an accurate English translation of the Bible. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants explanations, and chooses not to put faith in every word of humans, but rather place their trust in God and in his word, the Holy scripture.
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Summary: It says the truth about Bible translations
Review: I am Greek, I have been raised in Greece, I have studied Classical Greek for two years in high school (Classical Greek is much more complicated than koine, or Common Greek) and I have been studding the original Greek text of the Bible for about 10 years. Having this background, I responsibly say that this book presents quite right, well documented and reliable linguistic information. Yes, its writer must be considered adequate as regards his knowledge of the Biblical Greek. So, this book sheds plenty of light about subjects of whitch the common English reader has no idea. For example: English readers often claim that NW is false in Jonh 1:1. Trinitarians in Greece have never used this specific verse to claim that the New World Translation (NW) is wrong, since all the Orthodox versions read actually the same with the greek version of the NW. And this happens because the wording of this verse is very clear for the Greek reader, and there is no place for debate. I am sorry to say this, but for a Greek it is rediculus to debate on John 1:1.
Of course, many will be disappointed by BeDunh because he proves that many of the famous Bible versions are inaccurate and mislead their readers. But face the facts! What matters is not what translators say but what Bible says!
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Summary: Examining the Accuracy of Nine Major N. T. Translations
Review: No two translations of the Bible read exactly alike. Many people want to know why. Does a particalar translation read differently than the one I am familiar with because it is more accurate or because it is biased? Jason BeDuhn's goal is to provide the non-bible language scholar the reasons why he grades some translations as being more accurate than others when he is asked which Bible translation is the most accurate.
In the book nine major English N.T. translations are examined. They are the:
King James Version
New Revised Standard Version
New International Version
New American Bible
New American Standard Bible
Amplified Bible
Living Bible
Today's English Version
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
BeDuhn grades them on accuracy based on how they handled nine key verses or translation issues:
CHAPTER NAME: TRANSLATION ISSUE
Bowing to Bias: Bow or worship? At Mattthew 28:9 and other verses
Grasping at Accuracy: Phillipians 2:6
When is a Man not a Man?: Gender bias issues
Probing the Implicit Meaning: Words added to translated text Colossians 1:15-20
Words Together and Apart: Titus 2:13
An Uncertain Throne: Hebrews 1:8
Tampering with Tenses: John 8:58
And the Word Was ... What?: John 1:1
The Spirit Writ Large: Translating the Greek word for "spirit"
BeDuhn chose these points because these are important to many people and it it at important points that bias tends to creep into the picture. Unexpectedly two translations that most people would assume to be biased turned out to be the most accurate. BeDuhn gives his reasons on why he thinks this happened.
There is also an appendix article on one of the two translations that was rated most accurate by BeDuhn concerning a particular point where he thinks it is most biased that is presented in a tactful way.
BeDuhn writes in such a way that the average reader can follow. He presents his arguments in a calm respectful way. Tactful but not obtuse. No translation is without bias but BeDuhn helps us to see that just because a translation is different from the ones we are familiar with doen't mean that the difference is because of bias. He also helps us to see why we should be willing to do additional research, not just accepting without question any Bible translation.
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Summary: Finally an Unbiased Look
Review: There have been many books written that discuss the "merits" and "faults" of Bible translations, but none to my knowledge that have done so "outside the box."
Previous authors have brought the full weight of their criticisms from the viewpoint of conservative Protestant Christianity, and as such, ended up being more apologetics than a scientific analysis. The end results were that Bibles such as the New World Translation, and those perceived to be "Liberal" translation bore the brunt of a dogmatic and partial world-view.
BeDuhn however is not confined by the fetters of a restrictive religious system, and instead gives us a refreshing, and objective study. *Just the Facts Ma'am*, and it is about time!
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Summary: So you think your New Testament is an unbiased translation??
Review: This welcome treatise might appropriately be subtitled: "To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before," as it takes a hard, objective look at the accuracy of our popular New Testament Bibles in a way that hasn't been done before (at least any time recently, to my knowledge - and I've been looking for a long time).The author must be credited for his boldness in tackling this volatile subject with such an objective approach, as he adds up the score card of accuracy (plus points) and bias (minus points) on 9 very popular New Testament translations. If your favorite is in here (mine is), you will be challenged by the information in this book. But also, hopefully, inspired to dig deeper, think harder, pray more, and search ever more diligently, as you evaluate those cherished beliefs which are based on your favorite Bible translation. There are winners (two very surprising translations stand out from the rest) and losers (again, two others are rated so low that the author contends they shouldn't be called "Bibles" at all, but labeled as "Commentaries"), but absolutely none remain unscathed by Beduhn's burning textual spotlight. The author is detailed and specific - nothing vague or nebulous about his approach. The Greek original is shown (in "interlinear" English), and the 9 are lined up for comparison. The criteria and conclusions are explained in detail, in layman's terminology that is easy to follow (in just a very few places the book lapses into technical jargon that I had to struggle with). The author must be credited with bringing us non-Greek-speaking Bible adherents one step closer to the Greek manuscripts upon which all modern New Testament translations are based. The 9 translations discussed are the King James (or Authorized Version), the Amplified Bible, the Living Bible, the New American Bible, the New American Standard Bible, the New International Version, the New Revised Standard Version, the New World Translation, and Today's English Version. The verses chosen for analysis are so clearly explained that any translation could be tested, so the book will be of equal benefit to those who might favor another less popular translation. I can't say I agree with every conclusion that the author reaches, but I'm grateful for his opening this dialogue, and for doing so with an obviously studied attempt to avoid bias and polemics himself, a rarity among textual critics. I paid a little more for this book (the softcover edition) than I usually do, but it was worth every penny. This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking work that should be welcomed by any who are curious about the accuracy of our modern Bibles, and by all who look to their Bible for life-giving words of truth ~ for it is only by the truth that we are set free. As a parting note to the author: You challenged my beliefs and my Bible, so I would like to make this challenge to you...(it's so obvious that your book begs the comment without my saying it) - Produce and publish a New Testament of your own, one that scores 100% on your Truth in Translation scale. I'll be one of the first to buy it and review it. Note: a complimentary review copy would help =)
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