Distorting Scripture?: The Challenge of Bible Translation and Gender Accuracy

Recent controversies have rocked evangelicalism on the question: Is gender-inclusive language for human beings faithful and helpful in Bible translation or does it distort and obscure Gods Word? Distorting Scripture? moves beyond sensationalism to the meaty core of an ongoing debate. A fascinating illuminating informative balanced accurate discussion by a scholar who is a conservative evangelical in doctrine and a complementarian/traditionalist in gender roles. Alan Johnson Professor of New Testament and Christian Ethics Wheaton College Mark Strauss has put us in his debt by cutting through the rhetoric and placing the issue of gender-neutral translation where it belongs--in the areas of translational theory and of accuracy in bringing Greek and Hebrew into contemporary and readable English not in the context of pro- or anti-feminist agendas. Gordon D. Fee Professor of New Testament Regent College Mark Strauss rightly discusses the debate over inclusive language in the larger context of debates over traditional language and translation theory that have always been a part of the history of Bible translation. And as a self-designated complementarian he resoundingly rejects the notion that inclusive language in Bible translation is part of a feminist plot to rewrite Scriptures. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in the current debate and in the future of the English Bible. John R. Kohlenberger III coeditor The NIV Exhaustive Concordance I have read Distorting Scripture? with enjoyment and fascination. Dr. Strauss demonstrates conclusively how gender-inclusive versions of the Bible (as opposed to feminist versions) are motivated by the need to translate as accurately as possible into the language that people actually speak. I. Howard Marshall Professor of New Testament Exegesis University of Aberdeen The clamor against recent evangelical attempts to be gender accurate in translation has brought terrific confusion and needless pain to the church. Mark Strauss takes the reader sure-footedly through the dispute making clear what is and is not at stake. His work is like defrosting fog from a windshield so one can see where one should be going. Darrell L. Bock Research Professor of New Testament Studies Dallas Theological seminary Distorting Scripture? presents a strong case for the validity of biblically faithful inclusive-language versions of Scripture. Gretchen Gaebelein Hull author of Equal to Serve Mark L. Strauss is Professor of New Testament at Bethel Theological Seminary--West Campus San Diego California. He is the author of The Davidic Messiah in Luke-Acts: The Promise and Its Fulfillment in Lukan Christology.