To Approve or Not? What guides consultants when they are uncomfortable with the text before them?

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“A sound translation will help shape theology - but theology should not dictate how the text is translated.”

Many thanks to Steve Payne for being willing to share his work on this podcast.

In this presentation, translation consultant Stephen Payne explores the complex ethical and practical dilemmas faced when approving biblical texts for publication. He argues that while local teams often prioritize cultural relevance and naturalness, consultants must act as stewards of accuracy to prevent theological biases or modern perspectives from altering the original message. Through various case studies, Payne illustrates how issues like contextualization, honorifics, and historical consistency can create friction between a consultant's conscience and a community's preferences. He emphasizes that while the role of a consultant is collaborative, they must ultimately ensure that theology does not dictate translation or compromise the integrity of the source text. Payne concludes that certified oversight remains essential in 2025 to provide global churches with high-quality, trustworthy Scripture. He provides a framework of guiding principles intended to help consultants navigate these sensitive situations with both humility and firm professional standards.