550 Read the Bible for Yourself 17: How to Choose a Bible Translation

·59 min·5 clips

Sean Finnegan reveals why every Bible translation is, in essence, a commentary with built-in bias.

This episode is part 17 of the 'Read the Bible for Yourself' class on the Restitutio podcast. Host Sean Finnegan begins by asserting that every translation is a commentary, introducing inherent bias. He strongly advocates for learning Hebrew and Greek to read scripture directly, providing examples like Genesis 9:6 and Matthew 16:18 where poetic assonance and wordplay are lost in English. He outlines five methods for learning the languages, from immersion programs to free online resources like the Aleph with Beth YouTube channel. The core of the episode examines how translations are made. Finnegan explains that translators work from scholarly reconstructions called critical texts. For the New Testament, the primary text is the Nestle-Aland edition, currently in its 28th version and expected to update soon using computer-assisted genealogical methods. For the Old Testament, translators use the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia and Quinta, which primarily follow the Leningrad Codex but require translators to consult footnotes for variant readings. He argues that newer translations can be based on older, better manuscripts, a concept he summarizes as 'newer is older.' The episode then details two main translation philosophies: formal equivalence (word-for-word, like the ESV or NASB) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought, like the NLT), critiquing the extreme paraphrase of The Message Bible. Finnegan expresses a personal preference for formal equivalence for accuracy. A significant section addresses gender accuracy, explaining how translators handle masculine Greek terms that contextually include both genders, using examples from Ephesians 4:28 and Matthew 11:15. Finally, Finnegan discusses theological bias, categorizing translations by evangelical, Jewish, Catholic, and mainline Protestant camps. He recommends using a formal equivalence translation as a study base but checking questionable passages against translations from a different doctrinal tradition to expose bias. The episode concludes with a review of key points and promotional content for Finnegan's book and upcoming speaking events.

As heard by us

Bible translation is presented as a series of choices, not a transparent window.

Sean Finnegan frames Bible translation as a chain of consequential choices, moving from how translators work to formal and dynamic equivalence, then to gender accuracy and translation bias.

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Why you'd press play

You want the Bible translation argument laid out without the usual fog machine.

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