Truth in Translation: Accuracy and Bias in English Translations of the New Testament [Paperback]

In "Truth In Translation" Jason BeDuhn strips the original Biblical language down to its bare bones and shows the reader what the Greek is literally saying, as he analyzes some commonly mistranslated words and phrases in 9 of the most widely-used English Translations of the N.T. available today.

One truly amazing thing about this book is that it seems to go down a path that no Biblical scholar has gone. Regardless of the final conclusion of his book (which will surprise many), just the whole idea of comparing translations using specific verses to see which is most biased is really unique in Biblical exegesis.

Although Dr. BeDuhn does not reveal his own religious leanings, choosing to remain as unbiased and neutral as possible, he strongly hints that the Trinity doctrine is not Biblical and that it has only found its way into Christianity due to biased English translations of the New Testament. As the author shows through careful consideration of the evidence, his suggestions about the Trinity, (and by extension, his book's conclusions) are correct.

But the true message of the book is not the wrongness of the Trinity doctrine, but the honesty of the translators. It just so happens that the Trinity doctrine is probably the best way to show how biased the translators of English New Testaments have been throughout the years.

Hopefully in the future BeDuhn will update the book to correct some of the typographical errors, which I found surprising due to his usual meticulous attention to detail when it comes to the Greek language. But those errors do little if any harm to his down-to-earth prose and honest evaluation of many commonly misapplied and misunderstood verses in the New Testament.

Congratulations to the author of this very important and ground-breaking book, a book that should assist many to open their minds and ask themselves the question that BeDuhn himself, through this very well-researched and honest material, is asking: Can my Bible translation be trusted?

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 =)

I like this book because it compares several translations and makes objective comments on the scriptures.
It is nice to read a book that shows that the NW is the more accurate translation. I hope that many people appreciate this translation and read it because it shows the true Jehovah's thoughts. NIce work!