Born to Translate ― The Life and Works of Barclay Moon Newman, Jr.

THERE ARE MANY important jobs in this world. Some have extraordinary levels of pressure and responsibility associated with those roles, even to the point of delicately balancing life or death in performing the given task, for both themselves and that of others. But here, although perhaps not physically hazardous work, few jobs have the extraordinary pressure of a Bible translator, aptly handling the very word of God.It is just such a position that Barclay Newman found himself, leading a team of Biblical language scholars in their bold efforts to create the Contemporary English Version of the Holy Bible. His many years of study and experience in the field would be truly preparatory and absolutely essential, as well as his experience as a missionary and translator around the world in scores of different countries and cultures, as he embarked on creating a new and accessible translation of ancient scriptures that would enlighten and inspire today’s reader. But could they get it right! A mistake could have eternal consequences in the soul of a man or woman.Newman’s own wife and ministerial associate, Jean Butler Newman, has expertly told the fascinating, behind-the-scenes story of what is takes for a man, so prepared by God for this critical labor, to follow in the footsteps of centuries of translators of the Holy Bible, many of whom lost their lives for doing so, and to perform this monumental mission with scholastic integrity and spiritual purity in creating a work beneficial to his fellow man. Read and be inspired.

Jean Butler Newman was born in Jackson, Tennessee, in 1931 to two loving parents, Clyde R. and Leora T. Butler. She had one brother, Carlton, two sisters, Ann and Lucy. All four of them went to Union University in Jackson, Tennessee.While still in junior high, she began to develop a life-long love and aptitude for art. Painting came naturally to her as did wood carving in her later years. Today her home features a wonderful collection of exquisite carvings and paintings.As her skill in art developed, she has also illustrated three children’s books: Gingko Tree, Long and Short of It, and How Much is 12? She has written numerous articles for various periodicals through the years, leading up to this full-length book, her first. As if preparatory for this work, she had always found great joy helping edit Barclay’s correspondence throughout his career and her own part in reviewing the Contemporary English Version translation of the Bible. She graciously proclaims of her work, “GOD has been good, indeed!”