Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1275114 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Customer Reviews

In my opinion, there is no better book on the subject.
Robert L. Thomas comes across as having a sincere desire to help those in search of the "best bible". I agree with his literal approach to translation, as well as his conservative theological views.
I found the first version of this book (2000) on a discount rack at a book store and devoured it. As another reviewer mentioned, it makes a great reference book to access from time to time.
I received this revised version yesterday afternoon and have already enjoyed reading it "again".
A couple of points:
a. He is pro-Alexandrian Text
b. He is anti-Dynamic Equivalence.
c. He leans toward the NASB as the best bible, but leaves the reader to his own choice.
Get it!! It's really good!!

Solid Work
I have come to appreciate Dr. Robert L. Thomas' work in several of his publications. This one is no different. He is simply about the facts as he sees them; which is almost always correct. I do have one example that stands out as ironic and put a smile on my face as I read it. On page 103-104, he writes (concerning theological bias in translations):

"Four methods of detecting theological bias present themselves. First, the theological view points of the translators may be a matter of general knowledge. A translation sponsored by the Roman Catholic Church would reflect the views of that church body as the New World Translation support those of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. . . . ."

Now, this chapter as I said is dealing with theological bias in Bible Translations. Why did Dr. Robert Thomas not take his comment to also include his conservative Evangelical translators. Why did it not continue . . . "as well as," or "even those of the Evangelical stripe have also been convicted of theological bias in their translations." Would it be bias on his part, for him to leave his group unmentioned. I would certainly say so. The irony is that only three paragraphs into a chapter on theological bias, we find the very author having trouble avoiding the bug. Bias is a disease that no one is exempt from. Only our love for God and his Word can help us to control its influence, but never 100 percent.