Dr. Peter Gurry, a distinguished Greek professor at Phoenix Seminary and author of 'Myths and Mistakes in New Testament Textual Criticism,' dives deep into the reliability of the New Testament. He critically assesses the Passion Translation, pinpointing its significant shortcomings and questioning the qualifications of its translator, Brian Simmons. Gurry argues that when the translation offers something new, it often falls short of accuracy. This insightful discussion sheds light on essential aspects of biblical texts and their interpretations.
The Passion Translation is criticized for its lack of scholarly rigor and misleading claims of divine insights by its translator, Brian Simmons.
Scholars emphasize that individuals should prioritize reading reliable Bible translations regularly to foster a better understanding of the scriptures.
Deep dives
Critique of the Passion Translation
The Passion Translation is criticized for its lack of scholarly rigor, primarily due to its main translator, Brian Simmons, who possesses limited educational qualifications compared to other Bible translators. Academics like Dr. Peter Gurry emphasize that Simmons' claims of receiving divine insights into Hebrew and Greek are unfounded and misleading. Scholars assert that instead of providing unique spiritual insights, the translation often strays from established textual accuracy, leading to the conclusion that it lacks reliability. Concerns are raised about the potential for harm in misrepresenting biblical texts, ultimately labeling the Passion Translation as a poor choice for spiritual study.
General Recommendations for Bible Translations
A consensus among scholars, including Dr. Gurry, emphasizes that the best Bible translation is the one that individuals are actually reading. While many mainstream translations offer a reliable approach to biblical texts, the Passion Translation is singled out as particularly problematic. It's suggested that readers should seek out translations that are both literal and accessible to ensure a better understanding of the scriptures. This recommendation is rooted in the belief that regular engagement with the Bible is vital, rendering concerns about translation quality irrelevant unless a translation is demonstrably misleading.
Dr. Peter Gurry is a well respected scholar, Greek professor at Phoenix Seminary, and the author or coauthor of numerous articles and books, including the new "Myths and Mistakes in New Testament Textual Criticism," which is careful analysis of rhetoric and facts about how reliable the New Testament is.
Here is the playlist where top scholar after top scholar review The Passion Translation and demonstrate that when it offers something new it's frequently something wrong.
This is the interview on Alisa Childers' channel where today's clip was found. She was interviewing both Dr. Peter Gurry and Dr. John Meade on "The Amazing Story of How We Got the Bible." It's worth a listen if you find that topic interesting.
My website: https://BibleThinker.org
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