Which Good Book? An Impartial Guide to Choosing a Bible Translation
by Karen A. Bellenir
An Interactive Tool for Selecting a Bible Translation
The Bible is the world's most widely translated book. Contemporary English speakers can choose from among dozens of modern Bible translations, but this great diversity leaves many people feeling confused about the nature of the differences. Which Good Book? provides readers with an interactive experience that enables them to identify which translations of the Bible are best suited to their needs.
Unlike other guides that lead readers to predetermined outcomes, Which Good Book? offers impartial information and a broad spectrum of choices. Explanatory sections use clear, everyday language to describe the various ways translators have handled challenges such as these:
Selecting source documents that best represent the original writings
Identifying the specific roster of books deemed authoritative
Balancing word-for-word versus thought-for-thought translational philosophies
Handling gender-related expressions
Including notes, commentary, and other supplementary material
Achieving a desired literary style or reading level
Questions and interactive links allow readers to take their own path through the text by focusing on the issues they feel are most important. Their choices lead to specific suggestions drawn from a list of thirty-one of the most commonly available Bible translations in English. In addition, facts are included about twenty other historically important and specialty Bibles. A concluding section of references and resources provides a starting point for people who want to dig more deeply into the history of Bible translation.
Ultimately, the best Bible translation is the one someone actually uses. Which Good Book? is designed to help match readers with the translations they are most likely to read and appreciate.
Which Good Book? Am Impartial Guide to Choosing a Bible Translation is available online. You can also obtain a copy of the complete publication in an interactive PDF format from our bookstore.
“This is a profoundly helpful and very well-executed resource. I would, without reservation, recommend it to anyone in my congregation that is looking for insights into choosing a Bible, not just because it will help them with that choice, but also because it is very informative on the whole nature of biblical translation. I am also impressed that you did all of this without leaving behind the average lay person in a cloud of technical language.”
Advent Lutheran Church
Melbourne, Florida