How to Choose a Translation

How to Choose a Translation

Taught by J. Scott Duvall, J. Daniel Hays

Learn how the Bible is translated into English from its original languages and how best to choose a translation for personal reading and study. 

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Course Details

  • 1 Unit

  • Self-paced

  • 15 minutes of video

  • Beginner

  • Chapter One of Grasping God’s Word by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays

6 Month Access
$0.00 USD

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Course Description

Based on chapter one of the popular textbook Grasping God’s Word by Old Testament scholar J. Daniel Hays and New Testament expert J. Scott Duvall, this course provides a simple and clear introduction to the history of the Bible’s composition and transmission, approaches to Bible translation, and the differences between the main English translations available. The course concludes with helpful principles for choosing which translation to use.

All course material—an instructional video, readings, practical exercises, and a quiz—is available online for study at your own convenience.

By completing this course, you’ll gain

  • knowledge of how we got the Bible, including its writing, transmission, and translation throughout history
  • understanding of the two basic approaches to Bible translation
  • a survey overview of the best and most popular English Bible translations available
  • helpful principles for determining which Bible translation to choose for personal use and study

Meet Your Instructors

J. Scott Duvall

Ph.D. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

J. Scott Duvall is professor of New Testament at Ouachita Baptist University. He has coauthored several books, including Biblical Greek Exegesis: A Graded Approach to Learning Intermediate and Advanced Greek; Grasping God’s Word; Preaching God's Word; and Journey into God’s Word.

J. Daniel Hays

Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary; Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

J. Daniel Hays is dean of the Pruet School of Christian Studies and professor of Old Testament at Ouachita Baptist University. He is the author of From Every People and Nation, and he has coauthored Grasping God's Word; Preaching God's Word; Journey into God’s Word; The Story of Israel: A Biblical Theology; Iraq: Babylon of the End Times?; Apocalypse; and The Dictionary of Biblical Prophecy. He teaches adult Sunday school at his local church in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and preaches frequently throughout the nation. 

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