The Journey From Texts to Translations: The Origin and Development of the Bible
Reviewed date: 2024 Sep 24
462 pages
This 1999 book traces the development of the Bible from the invention of writing, to the manuscript evidence, and to our modern English-language translations. There was a lot I already knew, but a lot of new information as well.
For example, I was aware that we have thousands of manuscripts of the New Testament, some dated within a hundred years or so of the original writings. I had not been aware that the earliest Old Testament manuscripts date to a couple hundred years BC, which puts them a thousand years or more removed from the time of their writing. Then again, we have pretty good evidence that the Old Testament text has been well-preserved, so it's not like we're unsure of its reliability.
I was surprised at the rapidity with which the early Christians translated the Bible into other languages. I was also surprised how many translations we know about through references in other writings but which were not preserved.
The influence of the Latin Vulgate translations also surprised me. I was aware of it, and knew it was important, but hadn't realized the effect it had, to the point where it was long considered more accurate and more inspired than the Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.
Further, when viewed in its historical context, it seems odd that anybody would ascribe so much importance to the Authorized Version (King James Version). It was a monumental achievement and held a place in the English language for generations, but it was hardly static. It changed a lot from 1611 to the 1769 edition that some American fundamentalist Christians revere even to this day.
And finally, the book made me aware of many English translations that I was previously unaware of. I was particularly intrigued by the J.B. Phillips translation of the epistles, so I've ordered a copy of his New Testament. It's sort of like The Living Bible before The Living Bible, and if his translation of Philemon is any measure, I'm going to have a lot of fun reading it.