The New Testament

Starred review from August 14, 2017
Patristics scholar Hart (Atheist Delusions) explains in a lengthy introduction his reasons for what he calls a “reconstructive” translation of the New Testament: “to help awaken readers to mysteries and uncertainties and surprises” that he has found. The resulting text is indeed different; gone are many familiar terms, such as Messiah and devil. Hart also occasionally switches to present tense in gospel narratives, following the original Greek. From a literary point of view, the text is graceless, as the translator almost cheerfully admits. From the point of view of biblical studies, Hart has produced a deconstructive challenge to much received theological and hermeneutical wisdom, particularly about Paul’s letters; on that topic Hart joins a large and lively scholarly conversation. Another distinctive aspect of this translation is Hart’s insistence that scriptural condemnation of wealth is a consistent theme meant to be taken seriously. This necessary, brilliantly presented translation reads like taking a biblical studies class with a provocative professor.