Betty Johansen is tackling the definition and value of literal Bible translations in her latest informative piece for Wordsmith World.
-- Wordsmith World has released a new feature article by writer Betty Johansen, focusing on the importance of reading and translating the Bible in a literal, text-faithful way. The resource explores how translation choices shape interpretation and why even small shifts in wording can carry significant theological implications.
More information is available at https://bettyjohansen.com/2026/05/11/the-word-means-what-it-says-why-literal-bible-translation-matters/
A spokesperson for Wordsmith World said the feature responds to what they see as a growing tendency among readers to approach Scripture through a highly selective lens, often removing passages from their broader literary and theological context. “More and more, people are coming to the Bible not to be changed by it, but to change it,” the spokesperson said.
In her article, Johansen outlines what is meant by a literal approach to Bible translation, describing it as an effort to carry over the wording and structure of the original text as directly as possible into modern language. She also references several well-known translations commonly associated with this method, including the King James Version and the English Standard Version, among others.
A major focus of the piece is the idea that small variations in wording can produce meaningful differences in theological understanding. Johansen argues that language shifts, even at the level of a single term, can affect how doctrine is perceived and taught.
To illustrate this, the article references Isaiah 7:14, comparing the phrasing “a virgin shall conceive” (KJV) with “a young woman shall conceive,” a rendering used in some modern translations. Johansen presents this example as a case where a single lexical choice can significantly alter how readers understand long-established theological claims, including traditional Christian teaching on the Virgin Birth.
The feature also places the discussion in a broader cultural context, referencing several online movements shaping how people engage with faith and Scripture. One such is “deconstruction”, which the article describes as a movement that often relies on selective, surface-level readings of Scripture to justify abandoning orthodox Christian beliefs.
The piece ultimately frames literal translation as more than a technical preference, presenting it instead as a foundational approach that shapes how readers understand meaning, doctrine, and textual authority across biblical interpretation.
The in-depth article is the latest in a series of theological musings by Betty Johansen, a West Texas-based writer and former science educator whose work includes Christian fiction, devotional writing, and educational content centered on biblical interpretation.
To access more of her writings, visit https://bettyjohansen.com/
Contact Info:
Name: Betty Johansen
Email: Send Email
Organization: Wordsmith World
Address: Texas, Big Spring, Texas 79720, United States
Website: https://bettyjohansen.com/
Source: NewsNetwork
Release ID: 89192572
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