Ryan Pugh
November 2nd, 2011, 10:22 AM
N.T. Wright has come out with a fresh translation of the New Testament, The Kingdom New Testament: A Contemporary Translation (http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-New-Testament-Contemporary-Translation/dp/0062064916).
I received mine yesterday so I haven't read the whole thing - about done with Matthew - and I can say I really like it. (Kinda weird saying I 'like' it - it is the Bible after all).
Just a few thoughts about the translation so far, some of which are highlighted by Wright in the Preface:
This is a translation, not a paraphrase. Wright has tried to maintain the original meaning while still offering the meaning in contemporary language. Every generation should be in the process of translating, Wright says.
I like the flow of the text. Wright has cut out all footnotes, margins, etc. to let it read more like a novel. There's not a whole lot happening on each page besides the text.
Although I like the flow of the text, I'm still waiting for a translation that doesn't include any chapter and verse numbers. Eugene Peterson wanted to include zero chapter and verse numbers in The Message, but the publisher wasn't up for it, so they compromised by including verses in chunks. Scripture was never intended to be read 1 or 10 verses at a time - it's a story. Novels aren't meant to be read one page a week just like symphonies are listening to 30 seconds at a time. Verse numbers are distracting to me and only enable us to pick out the verses we like, often out of context, and lose some (or most) of their meaning as they apply to the whole of the Story.
Wright often translates the Greek Christos as "Messiah" or "King" instead of the popular translation "Christ". He chooses to do this because Christ has often been thought of as a simple proper name, but it's so much more.
Wright has tried to use gender-inclusive language as much as possible, even if it means "bad" grammar (using "they" instead of "he or she").
Even though I've only read a little bit so far, I really think I will continue appreciating this new translation. The stripped-down format of the text and pages is refreshing, and the translation itself is refreshing as well. I've already come across several passages that have given me a new perspective of that particular passage.
I received mine yesterday so I haven't read the whole thing - about done with Matthew - and I can say I really like it. (Kinda weird saying I 'like' it - it is the Bible after all).
Just a few thoughts about the translation so far, some of which are highlighted by Wright in the Preface:
This is a translation, not a paraphrase. Wright has tried to maintain the original meaning while still offering the meaning in contemporary language. Every generation should be in the process of translating, Wright says.
I like the flow of the text. Wright has cut out all footnotes, margins, etc. to let it read more like a novel. There's not a whole lot happening on each page besides the text.
Although I like the flow of the text, I'm still waiting for a translation that doesn't include any chapter and verse numbers. Eugene Peterson wanted to include zero chapter and verse numbers in The Message, but the publisher wasn't up for it, so they compromised by including verses in chunks. Scripture was never intended to be read 1 or 10 verses at a time - it's a story. Novels aren't meant to be read one page a week just like symphonies are listening to 30 seconds at a time. Verse numbers are distracting to me and only enable us to pick out the verses we like, often out of context, and lose some (or most) of their meaning as they apply to the whole of the Story.
Wright often translates the Greek Christos as "Messiah" or "King" instead of the popular translation "Christ". He chooses to do this because Christ has often been thought of as a simple proper name, but it's so much more.
Wright has tried to use gender-inclusive language as much as possible, even if it means "bad" grammar (using "they" instead of "he or she").
Even though I've only read a little bit so far, I really think I will continue appreciating this new translation. The stripped-down format of the text and pages is refreshing, and the translation itself is refreshing as well. I've already come across several passages that have given me a new perspective of that particular passage.