About the Translation
The Blessed Hope is an English translation of the New Testament that seeks to creatively and transparently integrate the strengths of different translation philosophies, for the purpose of communicating the message of Jesus and the apostles clearly and effectively.
It is my conviction that each translation philosophy has its own strengths and weaknesses, and is, therefore, worthy of being utilized at different times in the translation process. On the one hand, I share many of the values and concerns that cause many Bible scholars to favor more “formal” translations, many if not most of which have the seminary or another formal academic context as their womb. On the other hand, I also share many of the values and concerns of those who have labored faithfully in ministries that specialize in Bible translation and usually promote more “meaning-based” approaches to translation. Like a number of other English translations, therefore, in The Blessed Hope I have attempted an integrative approach. (For more on my approach to translation, click on the [as yet unfinished] article located to the right on this page, called, “What Is a Faithful Translation?”)
In this translation I have done my best to be transparent with readers. On this website readers will find over 20,000 translator’s notes. Many of these are basic and simple, while others are more technical and complex. If readers choose the “Full Translator’s Notes” (FTN) option, they will be able to access all translator’s notes, including technical notes. By contrast, the “Abridged Translator’s Notes” (ATN) option excludes more technical notes, while the “Reader’s Version” (RV) option excludes all but the most basic notes. (Please note that while in these notes I am careful to cite sources and indicate what translation philosophy is being applied to specific decisions, because of the sheer volume of notes, these notes reflect the employment of my own informal system shorthand for keeping track of decisions, rather than a formal academic style such as The Chicago Style Manual of Style.)
As mentioned above, The Blessed Hope is currently being prepared for publication through Wipf & Stock. As part of this process I am currently making a number of revisions which may not yet be reflected on the website. Thank you for your prayers and patience through this process. Once The Blessed Hope is officially published and available for purchase in print, all royalties will go toward a translation project that is currently underway (overseen by a friend of mine) and whose aim is to translate the New Testament into five African languages in which it has never been translated.
God bless you.
About the Translator
By God’s grace, Tim and his wife, Emily, have been married for twenty-five years, during which time they have served Jesus through parenting, homeschooling, Bible teaching, missions training, mentoring, networking, and resource development. They are blessed with five amazing children. Over the years their ministry has taken them to many places both in the U.S. and internationally. Tim is currently serving as the pastor of Grace Gospel Church just north of Cambridge, MN. His hobbies include reading, basketball, songwriting, and enjoying the outdoors, and Emily’s, reading, opera, hiking, kayaking, and crafting.
Tim has a BA from Georgetown College, an MA from the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Columbia International University. His dissertation is currently in the process of being prepared for publication through Pickwick (an imprint of Wipf & Stock Publishers) as part of the American Society of Missiology Monograph series. His English translation of the New Testament, The Blessed Hope (see below), is also presently being prepared for publication through Wipf & Stock.
In addition to his scholarly pursuits, with God’s help Tim has also written songs, children’s books, Bible study materials, and a book on disciple-making in contexts of persecution.
