The Unvarnished New Testament

This new, innovative translation of the New Testament opens the closed doors of preconception and allows the reader to view these important Greek writings in an entirely different light. Based on a radical and startling premise, The Unvarnished New Testament asks "Why not present the New Testament simply as it appears in the original Greek?"

This contemporary literary translation of the Gospels will give readers a remarkable new perspective on the Gospels, a feel for them that is very much like the experience of reading the original Greek in all its simplicity and conversational style. By contrast, other translations interpret the Greek through church dogmas that arose centuries after the original texts. In this edition a glossary elucidates the original meanings of key words and compares them with their conventional translations.

More than 300 Bible or New Testament translations, including the popular King James Version, have been produced in English in the past 600 years. These various translations, both obscure and well-known, were undertaken by diligent individuals working either alone or in committees known to number more than 100. This reference work provides information about the men and women who produced English language translations. Arranged alphabetically by surname, each of the 346 entries includes biographical and vocational information; notes on the various editions produced; samples of their translation; and other pertinent facts. In cases where translations were done by committee, the chairpersons and project initiators are covered. Important anonymous translations are also included.

Leading scholars chart the complex, multifaceted cultural impact of the King James Bible over its 400 years.

In his detailed and thought-provoking work, Philip Goodwin conducts a thorough analysis of the challenges facing the Biblical translator, with particular focus on the problematic dominance of the King James Version of the Bible in our imaginations - a dominance which has had a deleterious effect upon the accuracy and originality of the translator's work. Goodwin considers the first two chapters of the Lukan narratives in depth, comparing and contrasting a breadth of widely disparate translations and drawing on a rich body of Biblical scholarship to support his thesis. A wide-ranging discussion of other linguistic issues is also conducted, touching on such vital matters as incorporating the contextual implications of the original text, and the attempt to challenge the reader's pre-existing encyclopaedic knowledge. Goodwin evolves a fresh and comprehensive answer to the difficulties of the translator's task, and concludes by providing his own original and charming translation of the first two chapters of Luke's Gospel. 'Translating the English Bible' provides a fascinating insight into the processes of translation and will interest anyone seeking accuracy and fidelity to the Scriptural message. It will also enlighten readers seeking a challenging translation of Luke that casts off the shackles of the 'Holy Marriage' tradition of Biblical translation.

While millions of Bibles are distributed in North America every year, most of them are never read. One significant reason for this is that the Bible has been shaped over time in a way that makes it difficult to read and understand. But the Scriptures are now being released in a new format designed to help readers overcome the problems that the traditional presentation creates. In this new edition, The Books of The Bible, chapters and verses have been removed, the books appear in a new order, and longer works that were divided over time have been restored to unity. Christopher R. Smith is a member of the team that worked with the International Bible Society to develop this new edition. In this book, he traces the history and effects of the traditional elements that have shaped the customary presentation of the Scriptures. He describes how the new format was developed to help overcome these effects. And he explains how The Books of The Bible can be used effectively for personal devotions, group studies, sermon preparation and the other disciplines by which we apply the teachings of Gods word to our lives. The Rev. Dr. Christopher R. Smith is pastor of the University Baptist Church of East Lansing, Michigan. He has a B.A. in literature from Harvard University, an M.A.T.S. in church history from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in theology from Boston College. His articles have appeared in such publications as The Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, New Testament Studies, Novum Testamentum, and Vigilae Christianae.

'Christians in the Twenty-First Century' examines Christianity as it is understood and practised both by active followers and those who regard themselves as Christian. The book opens with an examination of key Christian concepts - the Bible, the Creeds, the Church and the sacraments - and the major traditions of Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism as well as more recent movements. The book continues with an analysis of the challenges presented by the rise of science, new approaches to biblical scholarship, the rise of fundamentalist movements, the ordination of women, secularization, the interfaith movement, and the impact of the electronic revolution.

The purpose of this book is to feature the Gospels of Jesus the Christ in an authentic canon apart from the patriarchal language framework of the New Testament. By that I mean that the gospels have been translated into a language framework that clarifies the truth of the Gospels by eliminating the bias and obscurities of patriarchy, gender, anti-Semitism and the sixteenth century’s distortions inherent in King James I’s promotion of the divine right of kings. From the discoveries and research over the last fifty years I have been inspired by the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Thomas, and writings on the Aramaic basis of the Gospels where the authentic voice of Jesus is made accessible.