Why Do We Need Another English Translation of the Bible?

Seven FAQs | Speaking for God in the New Global Language

Because there are so many English translations to choose from, many people wonder why Holman Bible Publishers (or anyone else!) would bother to develop a new translation such as the Holman Christian Standard Bible. A little reflection, though, makes the reasons quite clear.

1. Original translations are not as plentiful as you might think, so a completely new one is still important for communicating God’s Word.

Most Bibles on the market today are actually revisions of previous translations. This is true even of some of the more common ones such as the New King James Version (NKJV) and the English Standard Version (ESV). The Holman CSB, on the other hand, is an entirely new translation, crafted for today’s reader from the original biblical languages. Scripture confronts each individual and every culture on issues that matter both here-and-now and forever. This new translation offers the clarity necessary to help people choose God’s ways.

2. English—likely the world’s most influential language—is changing rapidly, and Bible translations must keep pace with those changes.

As the language of education, business, medicine, travel, research, and the Internet, English is the first global language. An estimated 2 billion people around the world speak or read English as a primary or secondary language. And because of this worldwide usage and priority, English is also the world’s most rapidly changing language. The Holman CSB puts understanding God’s Word within reach of this multitude of English speakers. Linguistic and semantic advances have been incorporated into the translation, and it reflects changes in English style through contemporary punctuation, formatting, grammar, and vocabulary. At the same time, the Holman Christian Standard Bible retains meaningful theological terms while avoiding slang, regionalisms, or changes made simply for the sake of “political correctness” or other social agendas.

3. Advances in biblical research provide new data for Bible translators.

As remarkable as it may seem, biblical scholars today actually have more and better information about ancient biblical texts than scholars did years ago. Ours has been called the “information age,” and that is emphatically true in the field of biblical research. Innumerable archeological discoveries support the reliability of biblical source documents. Analysis of ancient manuscripts has revealed new insights into the transmission of biblical material. And intensive study of individual Bible books—including sophisticated statistical research—has uncovered heretofore unknown facets of Bible knowledge. While translations made even as recently as 10 or 20 years ago do not reflect these advances in research, translators of the Holman CSB have integrated vast amounts of this information into the translation.

4. Advances in computer technology have opened a new door for Bible translation.
Holman CSB scholars have likely used computers and telecommunications more than any other Bible translators in history. Daily—and sometimes hourly—electronic mail facilitated the timely exchange of ideas and transmission of manuscripts. Accordance®, an advanced Bible software program, was customized to create and revise the translation at each stage. An in-process copy of the Holman CSB was even imbedded in the software to facilitate cross-checking and consistency during the translation process—something never before done with a Bible translation.

Seven FAQs about the Holman CSB

 #1—Why do we need another English translation of the Bible when there are already so many available?

Because there are a number of English translations in print, many people assume everything that can be done in Bible translation has been done. But some Bibles that appear to be new translations are actually revisions of earlier ones. This is true of several popular versions: the New King James (NKJV), the New American Standard (NASB), English Standard Version (ESV), and the New Living Translation (NLT), to name a few. Others, such as the New International Version (NIV), are original translations from the biblical languages—Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. Because our knowledge of ancient texts has improved dramatically in the past half-century, it is more possible than ever for scholars today to produce a translation which merges the crucial benefits of accuracy and readability. That is the central goal of the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Holman also has several unique reasons for developing the HCSB:

• Some Bible publishers allow social and cultural trends to influence translations to suit contemporary tastes. With the HCSB, our main strategy has been to preserve the wording of the original biblical languages and to uphold the inerrancy of Scripture.
• Since ministry is at the heart of all Holman Bible products, we understand the need for the best possible Bible for Bible study—one which can benefit pastors, lay people, and scholars alike.
• Christians need a standard for the Scriptures on which to rely for teaching, preaching, and study.

 #2—Why should I change from my current translation to the Holman Christian Standard Bible?

Because the Holman CSB offers these special features:

• It is a precisely translated text, yet it conveys the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic with familiar English words and with grammar understandable to today’s readers.
• It reflects the “optimal equivalence” model of translation. That is, we began with a word-for-word translation and then styled the language to communicate clearly to modern English readers.
• Specially customized computer software used in the translation process allowed higher standards of precision, detail, and consistency than in previous translation work.
• Some editions include word studies developed during the translation process. These are provided as margin notes to further a reader’s understanding of important biblical words.

Together, these features make the HCSB an outstanding translation for serious Bible study.

#3—What is the single most important benefit the Holman CSB offers me?

The HCSB is suited for serious Bible study as well as personal and public reading of Scripture. Our translation process emphasized faithfulness to the original wording of the Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic sources so you can be sure your study gets at the heart of what the original writers said. And our painstaking English styling brings vitality into the reading, yet without sidestepping important biblical words and phrases.

#4—How does the reading level of the Holman CSB compare with other translations?

The reading level of the HCSB is rated as grade level 7-8. The New International Version, at 7-8, is close, so readers who are comfortable with the NIV will likewise find the HCSB very readable. Reading grade levels of some other popular versions of the Bible are:

• King James Version (KJV)—11-12
• New American Standard (NASB)—11
• New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)—10-11
• New King James Version (NKJV)—7-8
• English Standard Version (ESV)—7-8
• New Living Translation (NLT)—6-7
• New Century Version (NCV)—5-6
• Good News Translation (GNT)—5-6
• Contemporary English Version (CEV)—5-6
• The Message—5-10 (depending on the passage)
• New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)—2.

#5—The Holman Christian Standard Bible is being published by an agency of the Southern Baptist Convention, so doesn’t that make it a Southern Baptist Bible?

Absolutely not. The goal of the HCSB has been to reflect accurately the words of Scripture, not to promote any specific theological or denominational approach to interpreting the Bible. To that end, we assembled a cross-denominational team of translators, editors, and stylists, comprised of:

• Scholars from more than 20 different Protestant denominations and several evangelical non-denominational churches
• Translators from Europe, North America and Asia
• Team members who personally affirm the inerrancy of Scripture
• Team leader, General Editor Dr. Ed Blum, a member of a non-denominational evangelical church.

#6—Who are the translators?

Dr. Arthur Farstad originated the translation project in 1984 after completing his tenure as general editor of the New King James Version. He continued as general editor of the HCSB until his death in 1998. Dr. Ed Blum, a former pastor, seminary professor and businessman, then took charge as general editor until completion of the translation. Dr. Blum remains active in the translation process as reviewer and editor for translation updates.

The translation’s executive editor has been David R. Shepherd, vice president and publisher of Broadman & Holman Publishers. Our worldwide translation team consisted of approximately 100 scholars who used as their primary texts the Nestle-Aland Greek Text (27th edition) for the New Testament and the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (5th edition) for the Old Testament.

#7—Why is “Holman” used as part of the translation name?

Holman is America’s oldest Bible publisher, tracing its roots to a colonial print shop which opened its doors in 1738 and published America’s first European-language Bible in 1743. The Holman name reflects a time-honored legacy in the publishing of fine Bibles. Providing the world a new English translation is an appropriate next step in continuing that legacy.

Use of the Holman name is also a reminder that the translation is owned and managed by an organization which has as its primary purpose to safeguard the integrity of Scripture and to communicate God’s Word faithfully for generations to come.

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Speaking for God in the New Global Language

Some say it’s reaching the reached, but new Bible translations are necessary for contemporary evangelism.

The explosive growth of Christian publishing during the last three decades has brought a commensurate growth in the number of Bible translations on the market. Many people regard the development of these Bibles as opportunism on the part of those creating new translations, but to do so disregards the valid reasons for generating new English renditions of the Bible as a way of furthering the Gospel.

It has been axiomatic for several decades that we live in a rapidly changing world, with examples of technological growth recounted ad nauseum. Yet one of the most significant changes—while amplified by technological advances—is not strictly technological but linguistic: Namely, the development of the world's first truly global language.

When the original edition of the King James Bible was published in 1611, roughly 6 million people spoke English as their first language. By the mid-nineteenth century, there were 60 million English speakers, and now, some 350 million people speak primarily English. Add to that all those who use English in business or information processing as a second or third language, and the figure tops 2 billion. This makes English the most dominant tongue in history. Not since the Tower of Babel has any one language commanded such worldwide usage, and most of this growth has taken place since 1950.

A Global Language—So What?

Some may argue that having millions upon millions of people now speaking English does not necessarily mean we need new translations. Can’t they simply use one of the existing Bible versions?

To think so sidesteps the fascinating implications of the explosive use of a single language. Multicultural influences bring about rapid and radical changes in vocabulary and usage.
Many English speakers are somewhat familiar with the variances between British and American usage. Yet these differences are exaggerated when even more disparate groups begin using the language. As it spreads, variations in usage influence the source language. Over time, whole new words can be adopted. To use a familiar example of how this happens, there is no English word that means “a bunch of flowers,” so in English, we have adopted the French word, “bouquet.”

Other developments also alter language. Technology is the most pervasive example. Words like “link,” “mouse,” “click,” “web,” and “net” have a startlingly different array of meanings today than they did even 30 or 40 years ago. This becomes particularly important when word choices reflect fine nuances of meaning.

Then there are the popular language patterns that strain old forms. This is perhaps the most challenging usage issue of all. Many readers would have no trouble accepting the premise that the Word of God should be rendered with a certain amount of respect, and the long-standing model of dignity is the King James Version. Yet, most contemporary translators would have difficulty rendering James 2:3 as does the King James: “And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing...” Connotations of words such as “gay” clearly change over time.

Further in Time, Closer to Truth

Strange as it may seem, the sources available to scholars are steadily becoming more reliable. Intuitive logic would suggest that the opposite would happen as we get further away in history from the biblical writings. However, new textual studies have actually bolstered the reliability of sources during the past half-century. Couple that with computer technology that allows more stringent research, and you have a compelling reason to create updated translations.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible provides an excellent case study. Scholarly research supported by computer software allowed translators to review virtually every word choice under a critical grid that earlier scholars could not have hoped for. Computers were used to compare not only original textual documents but more than a dozen other respected translations—in English as well as German and Latin—to consider usage options. The once all-consuming legwork was done—more thoroughly!—by computers in a small fraction of the time it used to take. That means word choices could be more thoroughly debated and prayed over by all involved. The result, according to HCSB General Editor Dr. Ed Blum, has been an unprecedented ability to create a reliable and readable Bible translation.

A Heritage of Translation Missions

There are historical precedents for considering Bible translation as a missions outreach. In their dedication of the 1611 Authorized Version of the King James Bible, the translators made this statement:

But among all our joys, there was not one that more filled
our hearts than the blessed continuance of the preaching of
God’s sacred word among us, which is that inestimable treasure,
which excels all the riches of the earth, because its fruit extends
itself, not only to the time spent in this transitory world, but directs
and disposes men unto that Eternal happiness which is above in Heaven.

Great translators of the past have seen their work as integral to spreading the Kingdom of God.
Much of the original King James text was based on the work of another English Bible “evangelist” of a generation earlier. William Tyndale was burdened as he saw the ignorance of Scripture rampant in his day. Despite opposition from church authorities, his vision was to see that even the “plowboy,” as Tyndale put it, would know the Scriptures. To accomplish that, rather than simply write books or tracts explaining the Latin Bible of his day, he translated Scripture into English so people could read the Word for themselves.

Re-gaining Lost Ground

With respect to the Gospel, much of the Western world (once aptly known as “Christendom”) has been re-lost, so to speak. American culture is clearly post-Christian, to say nothing of European social order. And although relevance of expression is critical for winning back lost territory, the Bible has paid a high price for attempts at relevancy in recent years.

Many scholars and translators recognize that paraphrases or looser dynamic translations come up short in dealing with serious issues of belief. There is no getting around the need to style language as understandably as possible while retaining certain difficult classical terms central to the message of salvation. Words like redemption, justification, and sanctification simply cannot be tossed aside for more comfortable equivalents devoid of depth.

Having said that, though, the concepts of accuracy of translation and readability of language are not mutually exclusive terms. Again, Ed Blum points out how this works. He notes that a word-for-word translation of John 1:6 would read as follows: “was a man having been sent from God name to him John.” As rendered by Dr. Blum’s HCSB translation team, the result is not only true to the original text but immensely more readable than the simplistic Greek-English rendering: “There was a man named John who was sent from God.”

Translating Scripture into English remains a highly efficient way to reach out with God’s message. In a world where English is widely spoken, many people can potentially be reached with English Scripture. Keeping the Bible available in accurately rendered, contemporary language is a legitimate part of the church’s core mission and those called to the task.

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