Statement X of X · Personal Beliefs

Literal, Dynamic, or Paraphrasing

I believe the best translation of the original biblical text is a literal word-for-word translation.

When a translation committee abandons a word-for-word methodology, they must decide what the author meant before they can write it in clear English. This frequently results in the theological bias of the translators being embedded directly into the text rather than being left in a footnote, essentially choosing an interpretation for the reader rather than letting the reader wrestle with the ambiguity of the original language. There is concern that the NIV is a “progressive” translation.

A suggestion about thought-for-thought translations do a better job at translating idioms than word for word translations.

A word for word translation loses meaning/thoughts as cultures change. But together with hermeneutics, I believe this is the best way to understand fully the intended text and meaning of the bible.

The risk of thought-for-thought and paraphrasing bible translations is they can add in words and can incorrectly translate passages if the translator believes the underlying subtext or meaning is different.

For example: Exodus 6:3 - Inserts the word “fully” to smooth over an apparent contradiction regarding when God’s name was revealed, an addition completely unsupported by the Hebrew text.

2 Samuel 21:19 - Adds the words “the brother of” to force harmony with 1 Chronicles 20:5, resolving a historical difficulty without manuscript justification.

Isaiah 1:17 - Changes the command from actively rebuking or correcting a wrongdoer to a general concept of comforting the victim, shifting the functional objective of the verse.

Mat 11:12 - Interprets a complex, ambiguous passive verb structure by favoring one highly specific historical-critical viewpoint of conflict over spiritual forcefulness.

Romans 1:17 - Paraphrases a notoriously difficult Greek idiom (ek pisteōs eis pistin) into a clean modern phrase, which strips away alternative theological understandings of the text.

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