One Bible, Many Versions - by Dave Brunn (Paperback)

About the Book

Dave Brunn has been an international Bible translator for many years. Here he divulges the inner workings of translation practice to help us sort out the many competing claims for superiority among English Bible translations. His professional assessments and conclusions will be a great help to all seeking truth in translation.

Book Synopsis

What makes a Bible translation faithful? Is one version superior to others? Do we really need more than one translation? How can answering these questions help us become better Bible readers?Dave Brunn has been involved in Bible translation work around the world for many years. From the perspective of this on-the-ground experience in different cultures he helps us sort out the many competing claims for various English Bible translations.By giving us a better understanding of the process of translation, Brunn helps us read and understand Scripture more clearly. He demonstrates how the variety of translations enables us to grasp more fully the meaning of the biblical text.This clear, readable and informative work will be of special interest to pastors, undergraduate and seminary students, missionaries, Bible translators, Bible study leaders and anyone involved in Christian ministry.

Review Quotes

"An illuminating book!"

--Eric Leese, The Reader, Summer 2014

"Brunn's book . . . should be carefully studied by anyone about to judge a translation of the Bible."

--Rev. Dr. Paul Ellingworth, Methodist Recorder, July 5, 2013

"Brunn's many examples, years of translation experience, and pastoral tone work together to create a persuasive argument for the validity and importance of meaning-based translation work."

--Matthew I. Estel, Calvin Theological Journal, Vol. 48, No. 2, November 2013

"For those who are interested in the principles and practice of Bible translation, this is a most fascinating and thorough treatment of the topic."

--John Baigent, Partnership Perspectives, No. 51, Autumn 2013

"Much discussion of preferences in biblical translations is woefully uninformed about basic linguistics, and Brunn has the enviable ability to explain the necessary concepts clearly and simply, as well as having practical experience that cannot but command respect."

--John Barton, Church Times, 6 September 2013

"Pastors, missionaries and especially Bible translators will find this book particularly helpful."

--Abram Kielsmeier-Jones, Bible Study Magazine, September/October 2013

"The gospel was originally spoken to us in the historically conditioned forms of the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek languages of antiquity, and the Lord commanded us to pass that gospel on to all nations until the end of the age. Faithful and reliable translations of those Scriptures are the essence of obedience to that commandment. And what a task it is! Translation is the responsibility of the entire church even if in particular ways it is the labor of specialized professionals. Ultimately the work of translating the Bible into English, to limit ourselves to this one language, requires knowledge across a range of fields, among which are translation theory, the original languages of Scripture, the English language, linguistics, exegesis and theology, and the history, aims and users of previous and existing English translations--not to mention a stance of faithfulness from within the life of that very gospel. It is to be expected that so great a task would strain our best minds, and it is understandable if it should occasion principled disagreement. For the non-specialist some of this disagreement is bound to breed uncertainty. Understanding and confidence are what we seek. What is therefore to be hoped is that a voice such as Dave Brunn's will be heard, combining as it does theoretical and practical knowledge with a spirit of charity, peace and faithful devotion. Among his credentials, Brunn spent two decades translating the Scriptures into a language outside the Indo-European family to which English belongs, affording him invaluable comparative perspective. To this he adds the graces of a gifted teacher: clarity, patience, humility and remarkable empathy for readers who have little or no experience in the languages and other challenges of translation. Easy-to-understand charts and illustrations abound. Moreover, his aims are not bound up with any particular translation but with the interests of the church and the gospel. Without presuming to have written the final word, Brunn has written a good book and modeled for us how to have a conversation."

--Jon Laansma, Wheaton College and Graduate School

About the Author

David Brunn is director of education for New Tribes Mission Missionary Training Center and was phonetics instructor at the NTM Language and Linguistics Institute (1978-1980).