Overview

This interdisciplinary study tackles the controversy of translating nephesh ( נפֶֶשׁ ) by using an intergenerational translation team to deepen our understanding of this term and providing a more valuable translation in Chinese, especially for use in specialist Children's Bibles. Traditionally nephesh is often translated in the Bible as 'soul', but despite the limitations of this popular rendering, it has led Christians in Chinese contexts to falsely understand views regarding the nature of human beings as a trichotomy. Dr Hui Er Yu's study offers different options for translating nephesh using the context of where the word appears in Scripture as well as in reference to linguistic and cultural meanings in Chinese contexts. The findings in this book will help to remove anthropological misunderstandings among many Chinese Christians related to nephesh as a result of historic translation decisions. Dr Yu takes a unique approach to translation by using an intergenerational Bible translation team, ranging from seven to fifty-one years of age, which not only demonstrates the importance of intergenerational ministry but also presents a way to fulfill the growing need for well-translated Children's Bibles in China for thousands of young believers. This book provides important lessons for the many translation projects working towards Children's Bibles but also for how translation of biblical terms can be better reached through this intergenerational process.

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9781783684694

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Reviews

It is a great pleasure to endorse the work of a person who is very gifted with biblical languages and research. The interpretation and translation of the Hebrew noun nephesh has been an issue among various Chinese versions. Thus, the Chinese church has been deeply influenced by the popular trichotomy of Watchman Nee. Dr Yu's work opens a new door for Chinese Bible translation by clarifying the various concepts of the word nephesh. She also give concrete suggestions for some biblical passages and with the help of her work, we may expect progress for the Chinese translations of the Bible. Kyungrae Kim, PhD Vice President and Academic Dean, Faith Bible Seminary, Flushing, New York, USA Describing the history of the approach to Bible translation in general and specifically the history of Chinese Bible translation, Hui Er Yu applies insights from the various disciplines to reach conclusions that highlight important ways in which the insights can be applied to provide accurate and effective translations of the Bible. She is to be particularly commended for bringing children into the conversation about Bible translation. V roni Kr ger, PhD Founder-President, The Word for the World Bible Translators Hui Er Yu's research provides a contextualized theory of Bible translation for the Chinese-speaking world and demonstrates how to apply this theory, which is based on Ernst Wendland's Literary Functional Equivalence (LiFE) model, in translating biblical poetry. The research provides an updated mapping of the possible meanings of the Hebrew word , a key anthropological term in the ancient Semitic world and in the Old Testament. This exploration is valuable for linguistics, for Bible translation and for contemporary theological anthropology, especially in Chinese Christianity where the misunderstanding of this term is deeply entrenched. The most remarkable aspect of Dr Yu's research is that she pioneered the inclusion of children and youth in an intergenerational Bible translation team. This not only challenges the traditional understanding of the role of children in Christian ministry but practically shows how to optimize and integrate their contribution in the very sophisticated enterprise of Bible translation. Johannes Malherbe, PhD Head, Postgraduate School, South African Theological Seminary The principles and procedures that undergird the new field of intergenerational ministry are fresh and appealing. This work will be of benefit, especially to those who are interested in interdisciplinary study, as it yields proper biblical insights into anthropology and places considerable worth on the task of accurate Bible translation and rigorous textual analysis. For that we can be grateful to its author. Dennis Ngien, PhD Professor of Systematic Theology, Tyndale University College and Seminary, Toronto Research Professor, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, Canada

It is a great pleasure to endorse the work of a person who is very gifted with biblical languages and research. The interpretation and translation of the Hebrew noun nephesh has been an issue among various Chinese versions. Thus, the Chinese church has been deeply influenced by the popular trichotomy of Watchman Nee. Dr Yu's work opens a new door for Chinese Bible translation by clarifying the various concepts of the word nephesh. She also give concrete suggestions for some biblical passages and with the help of her work, we may expect progress for the Chinese translations of the Bible. Kyungrae Kim, PhD Vice President and Academic Dean, Faith Bible Seminary, Flushing, New York, USA Describing the history of the approach to Bible translation in general and specifically the history of Chinese Bible translation, Hui Er Yu applies insights from the various disciplines to reach conclusions that highlight important ways in which the insights can be applied to provide accurate and effective translations of the Bible. She is to be particularly commended for bringing children into the conversation about Bible translation. V roni Kr ger, PhD Founder-President, The Word for the World Bible Translators Hui Er Yu's research provides a contextualized theory of Bible translation for the Chinese-speaking world and demonstrates how to apply this theory, which is based on Ernst Wendland's Literary Functional Equivalence (LiFE) model, in translating biblical poetry. The research provides an updated mapping of the possible meanings of the Hebrew word , a key anthropological term in the ancient Semitic world and in the Old Testament. This exploration is valuable for linguistics, for Bible translation and for contemporary theological anthropology, especially in Chinese Christianity where the misunderstanding of this term is deeply entrenched. The most remarkable aspect of Dr Yu's research is that she pioneered the inclusion of children and youth in an intergenerational Bible translation team. This not only challenges the traditional understanding of the role of children in Christian ministry but practically shows how to optimize and integrate their contribution in the very sophisticated enterprise of Bible translation. Johannes Malherbe, PhD Head, Postgraduate School, South African Theological Seminary The principles and procedures that undergird the new field of intergenerational ministry are fresh and appealing. This work will be of benefit, especially to those who are interested in interdisciplinary study, as it yields proper biblical insights into anthropology and places considerable worth on the task of accurate Bible translation and rigorous textual analysis. For that we can be grateful to its author. Dennis Ngien, PhD Professor of Systematic Theology, Tyndale University College and Seminary, Toronto Research Professor, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, Canada

Author Information

HUI ER YU gained her PhD from the South African Theological Seminary, Sandton, South Africa, in 2017. She emigrated from her native country, Taiwan, to pursue theological education and currently works as the Children's Ministry Director at North York Christian Community Church, Toronto, Canada and has been involved in children's ministry for over sixteen years. Hui Er Yu was a recipient of the Frederick Buechner Award for excellence in writing (2017).

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