Ramseyer Bible Collection - Twentieth Century Translations

Twentieth Century Translations

During this century, a large number of translations of the Bible, but particularly of the New Testament, have appeared. They fall roughly into three categories:

Those that follow the tradition of the "authorized" versions, in that they aim to remain as faithful as possible to the original manuscripts, but are willing to depart from a literal translation if it is felt that it is justified in doing so to aid in understanding;
Those that attempt to be linguistically and socially correct and feel that any departure from the original text is to be avoided;
Those that are concerned with conveying the "message" of the Scripture and therefore feel justified in any departure from the original if it assists in conveying the inner meaning of the text as perceived by the translator, or as it appears to improve its likelihood of being understood by the audience to whom it is addressed.

The first group is represented in the display by the Contemporary English Version, published by the American Bible Society, "The Message" of Eugene H. Peterson, and the New Jerusalem Bible of the Dominican Ecole Biblique et Archeologique.

Of the second group perhaps the most famous (and to some infamous) is the Five Gospels, edited by the Jesus Seminar, so-called, which attempted to determine the precise validity of the words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. Also in this category are the New World Translations of the Jehovah's Witnesses, where precise accuracy of translation is essential, and the Schonfield and Bethel Editions, which aim at accuracy of rendering.

The third group is certainly the most interesting, as it includes versions which aim at particular audiences and therefore do not hesitate to change text, emphasis, wording, or even locale to suit the audience aimed at. The Cotton Patch Version of the New Testament, for example, changes the location of the story of the Good Samaritan to Georgia. In this category are the Black Bible Chronicles, the Glasgow Bible, each of which has obviously particular audiences, and also "At the Start" which attempts to retell the Genesis story for modern Jewish audiences. Andy Gaus' "The Unvarnished New Testament" tries to reconstruct in modern English what a hearer or reader of the original Greek of the New Testament would have understood.

[click thumbnail for large view]

#1565, #1483, #1455, #444

The Five Gospels. The Search for the Authentic Words of Jesus. 1993. #1570

Glasgow Bible. #1613

Bible for today's family. Contemporary English Version. New Testament. #1477

Rappin' with Jesus. The Good News According to the Four Brothers (Black Bible Chronicles Series: The Gospels. P. K. McCary, Interpreter) 1994. #1577

Back to Displays

Ramseyer-Northern Bible Society Collection

Twentieth Century Translations