Bible Translation Receives Criticism from Christian Scholars
Written by Heartsong Live on 26th August 2020
‘The New Testament bible Translation Pure Word was published in 2017 but this week has been in the spotlight due to a renewed attention from Christian academics
The bible translation has been criticised for its difficult-to-understand English as well as its poor translation of the texts though it claims to be ‘unprecedented’ in its ability to bring out the intention of the Koine Greek from some New Testament manuscripts.
Its website says it “can save scholars, pastors and Bible students from the countless hours needed to re-translate the original Greek meanings for all 27 books of the New Testament.”
For example, it compares the King James Version with its own version of John 3:16:
King James Version:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The Pure Word:
“Because, God has Loved in such a manner the satan’s world, so that He Gave His Son, the Only Begotten Risen Christ, in order that whoever is Continuously by his choice Committing for the Result and Purpose of Him, should not perish, but definitely should, by his choice, be Continuously Having Eternal Life.”
They argue: “In this example, both the KJV and The Pure Word present similar messages regarding the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ; however, the original Koine Greek to English translation found in The Pure Word provides more original depth regarding the meaning of ‘believeth’ in Greek that was condensed by the scholars who translated the 1611 King James.”
Its creator Brent Miller Snr, claims Jesus spoke in Koine Greek, although he probably spoke in a local dialect of Aramaic, and says they wanted to create a New Testament that was as similar as possible, in understanding, to what the early church was reading.
Although its intentions – to help people know God better – may be well-meaning, the execution has been ridiculed
Amongst those who have criticized the translation is Dr Peter Williams from Tyndale House in Cambridge and James F McGrath, Professor of Religion and New Testament Language expert at Butler University in Indianapolis, who said: “This is so appallingly terrible I am literally laughing out loud.”
Eric Vanden Eykel, who has a PhD in Christian Origins and is Associate Professor of Religion in Virginia also posted a long thread on Twitter about why the translation is inaccurate as well as hard to read.
He questioned why they were capitalising certain words and wrote: “These are not translations. They’re commentaries. And that’s fine, but don’t call it a translation. And certainly don’t call it ‘accurate.’”
Weighing in on the issue, the website Gotquestions.org stated: “Credible Bible translations are the product of a committee of trained scholars. The Pure Word Bible is the work of one man, Brent Miller, Sr. The publishers make much of the “twenty years of research” Miller put into the Pure Word Bible, but none of his academic credentials are provided.”
“We recommend steering clear of the Pure Word Bible. There are much more accurate English Bible translations available.” the website admonishes
