New Article Features Bible Translation

How do Bibles get translated into English? What is the historical context of Bible translation?

What are some of the differences between such popular versions of the Bible as the King James Version, the New International Version and the recently released Common English Bible?

A new article posted on the website of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship helps to answer some of these questions.

Titled “Understanding Differences in Bible Translations,” the article was written by Joan Huyser-Honig, a freelance writer and a partner in a communications business.

The mainstream media featured several stories in 2011 on issues related to English translations of the Bible, Huyser-Honig writes.

A big reason for the attention was that last year was the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible. Another factor spurring discussion and news stories was the release the Common English Bible translation last summer.

Because of the media attention, the topic of English translations of the Bible was voted as one of the top 10 religion stories of the year in 2011 by the Religious Newswriters Association, whose members are secular religion writers and others.

“So many outlets covered Bible translations that all this attention … raises questions about how to choose Bibles for church worship, study, and personal use. Christians wonder which version is most authentically God’s Word,” Huyser-Honig writes.

Besides presenting the views of pastors and authors that help to answer these questions, Huyser-Honig also provides links to a wide range of helpful resources for churches and others.

These include a video on how to bring scripture alive in worship, a simple online Bible quiz, and an interview with John F. Hobbins, a United Methodist pastor and a religious studies teacher at the University of Wisconsin who is passionate and knowledgeable about biblical languages and Bible translations.