The NIV Bible and Pauline Theology with Doug Moo (New Testament Bible Translation: Part 5)
Sep 13, 2023
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In this episode, host Kevin Grasso discusses Doug Moo's role as chair of the translation committee of the NIV and his translation philosophy. They also explore how to translate key terms in Paul, the challenges of translating the New Testament, and the process of revising and publishing the NIV Bible. Doug Moo shares his current projects, including upcoming commentaries on Hebrews, Philippians, and one and two Thessalonians.
The NIV Bible translation aims for accuracy and finds the best English equivalent for each word, considering context, semantic range, and understandability for readers.
Translation decisions for the NIV are made collectively by the Committee on Bible Translation, taking into account scholarly discussions, exegetical considerations, and the needs of English readers.
Deep dives
Translation Philosophy and the NIV
The podcast episode features an interview with Dr. Doug Moo, a member and former chair of the Committee on Bible Translation for the NIV. Dr. Moo explains the translation philosophy behind the NIV and the process of making translation decisions. He discusses how words like Christos, pistis, dikaios, nomos, and Israel are translated in the NIV and the considerations taken into account. He notes that the NIV seeks to find the best English equivalent for each word, considering context, semantic range, and understandability for readers. While the latest scholarly views are considered, the translation aims for accuracy and avoids making hasty changes based on new or novel ideas. The NIV continues to be revised based on ongoing scholarly discussions.
The Challenges of Translation
Dr. Moo highlights the challenges of translating specific words and concepts in the New Testament. He mentions the debate over translating Christos (Christ) as Messiah or King, pistis (faith) as belief or faithfulness, dikaios (justify) as declare righteous or make righteous, and nomos (law) as law or Torah. He emphasizes the importance of finding the best English equivalent that accurately conveys the meaning intended by the original Greek, while considering the semantic range of each word and the context in which it is used. Dr. Moo explains that translation decisions are made collectively by the Committee on Bible Translation, taking into account scholarly discussions, exegetical considerations, and the needs of English readers.
The Influence of Context and Language Usage
Dr. Moo discusses the significance of context and language usage in translation decisions. He explains how understanding the semantic range and usage patterns of words like nomos (law) and pistis (faith) helps determine their translation. He also highlights how corpus linguistics and data analysis aid in understanding English usage and choosing appropriate translations. For example, understanding the shift from using gender-specific pronouns to more inclusive language in modern English helps guide translation choices. Dr. Moo emphasizes the need to balance preserving the meaning of the original text while ensuring clarity and comprehension for English readers.
Consistency and the Role of Scholarly Views
Dr. Moo discusses the importance of consistency and the role of scholarly views in translation. He explains that the NIV aims for consistency in translation choices, both within the NIV and across different editions and formats. While the latest scholarly views are considered, the translation does not solely rely on them and evaluates their impact over time. Dr. Moo notes the cautious approach taken, as new views may not have had sufficient time or wide acceptance to be incorporated into the translation. He emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach that draws from a range of scholarly opinions and exegetical considerations.
Doug Moo is the chair of the translation committee of the NIV, consistently one of the most popular English translations in the world. In this episode, host Kevin Grasso discusses Moo's role as chair of the Committee for Bible Translation as well as Moo's particular translation philosophy. They also discuss how to translate some key terms in Paul, particularly those explored in our previous series on Key Terms in Pauline Theology.
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