The McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry, volume 14, is growing. It includes a review I wrote of a recent book on Bible translations: Which Bible Translation Should I Use? A Comparison of Four Recent Versions, edited by Andreas J. Köstenberger and David A. Croteau.

I have written a bit on the blog before about translation theory and specifically the ESV. In my review I offer some of my brief criticisms (well, raise some questions) of Grudem’s approach to translation theory for the first time in print. It could seem as though I have a bone to pick with Grudem and the ESV but I just find his essay in the above book and some of the marketing for the ESV to be less than accurate and less than helpful. The other essays didn’t evidence the same apologetic tone either.

My brief criticism of the general project of biblical scholars toward translation theory is given toward the end. I think we’re dealing with a false dichotomy (words vs. thoughts) and biblical scholars aren’t keeping up with modern linguistic advances that should force us to consider how meaning occurs in texts in toto, not merely in words. Discourse analysis needs to be broached.

I’ve had conversations with translators on the field (i.e., not biblical scholars but translators) and they don’t seem to be bogged down in the same discussions we Bible scholars are having in pre-dominantly “English language translation theory.”

I also offer my positive thoughts on the book on p. 7 of the review.