geoff@pmafire.inel.gov (Geoff Allen) (02/16/91)
engineer@buhub.bradley.edu (Timothy Pigman) asks about the ``Phillips translitteration version of the Bible.'' Assuming he means the ``Phillips translation of the New Testament,'' here's some info. (Perhaps he has been confused by some people's characterization of the Phillips version as a paraphrase instead of a translation.) J.B. Phillips led what he calls a ``much-bombed parish in S.E. London'' during World War II. He felt that since the New Testament was written to Christians in danger, it was *very* applicable to his parish in those times. The problem was that his people, especially the ``Youth Club,'' had trouble getting much out of the Bible, and found much of it obscure and difficult. So he began working on a translation into modern English. He started with the Epistles, since people were less familiar with them. This was published as _Letters_to_Young_Churches_ in 1947. After some encouragement to continue the task from C.S. Lewis, he then continued with the gospels, Acts, and finally Revelation. They were all gathered together and published as _The_New_Testament_in_Modern_English_ in 1958. Eventually, his version became more well-known and he found people quoting ``the Phillips translation'' authoritatively. He felt that he hadn't done a good enough job the first time around to receive that distinction, so he retranslated the entire New Testament, this time attempting more accuracy, sacrificing some of his previous enthusiasm for retelling the story in modern English and sticking closer to the text. Because Phillips' goal was to provide for English readers the equivalent of the experience of the original Greek readers, his work is often labeled a paraphrase. To be sure, his work is at the opposite end of the philosophy of translation from the New American Standard Bible, which seems to be just short of an interlinear version. I'm currently reading through the Phillips New Testament to get a fresh perspective on things. (I normally read the NIV, which isn't as loose a Phillips nor as strict as NASB.) It's very enjoyable reading, and reads more like something written in English than the stricter translations (which occasionally suffer from too close a resemblance to Greek syntax and sentence structure to make very readable English, IMHO). For a study Bible, I'd stick with NIV, NASB, NKJV, RSV, NRSV or one of the more conventional translations, but for just plain reading and getting a feel for the big picture, it's tough to beat Phillips. To give a feel for some of the differences, here are two of my favorite renderings in Phillips, compared with NIV. Romans 2:1 NIV: You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Phillips: Now if you feel inclined to set yourself up as a judge of those who sin, let me assure you, whoever you are, that you are in no position to do so. For at whatever point you condemn others you automatically condemn yourself, since you, the judge, commit the same sins. Romans 12:1-2 NIV: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Note: this has been slightly revised in later versions of the NIV than mine here at work.) Phillips: With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed. Thus you will prove in practice that the will of God is good, acceptable to him, and perfect. Anyway, I've rambled enough. Here's the essential info (for the ``Revised Student Edition'' that I have): Title: The New Testament in Modern English Author: J. B. Phillips Publisher: Macmillan Publishing Company, New York. ISBN: 0-02-088570-9 In case you want to look for it in the library, the Library of Congress number is BS2095.P5 1984, Dewey Decimal is 225.5'209. Mine only cost me $6.95 a few years ago when I bought it. I imagine it's still under $10. -- Geoff Allen \ Since we live by the Spirit, uunet!pmafire!geoff \ let us keep in step with the Spirit. geoff@pmafire.inel.gov \ -- Gal. 5:25 (NIV)