Ronald F. Youngblood
Encyclopedia
Ronald F. Youngblood is an American Biblical scholar and professor of Old Testament
. In addition to being one of the original translators of the New International Version
of the Bible, he was the general editor for Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, and on the editorial team for the Zondervan NASB Study Bible
, both of which earned the ECPA Christian Book Award for their respective publication years.
in 1931. He earned his B.A.
from Valparaiso University
(1952), his B.D.
from Fuller Theological Seminary
(1955), and his Ph.D.
from the Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning (1961). He was ordained in 1958 at Oxford Circle Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
, first teaching at the St. Paul campus (1961–1978) and later at the San Diego campus (1982–2001). In the interim, Youngblood was also on the faculties at Wheaton Graduate School (1978–1981) and at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
(1981–1982).
Youngblood first joined the New International Version
(NIV) translation team in 1970, and was invited to join the Committee on Bible Translation in 1976, a few years prior to its first complete publication in 1978. He continued to serve as a translator for the first major revision in 1984, and was executive editor for the New International Reader's Version
(1995, 1998). Later, he played a significant role in the development of Today's New International Version
.
He has also served as chairman of the board of the International Bible Society
, and editor of the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
(1976–1998).
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
. In addition to being one of the original translators of the New International Version
New International Version
The New International Version is an English translation of the Christian Bible. Published by Zondervan in the United States and by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK, it has become one of the most popular modern translations in history.-History:...
of the Bible, he was the general editor for Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, and on the editorial team for the Zondervan NASB Study Bible
Zondervan NASB Study Bible
The Zondervan NASB Study Bible is a study Bible originally published by Zondervan in 2000 which utilizes the Updated New American Standard Bible ....
, both of which earned the ECPA Christian Book Award for their respective publication years.
Background and education
Youngblood was born in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1931. He earned his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
(1952), his B.D.
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
from Fuller Theological Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary
Fuller Theological Seminary is an accredited Christian educational institute with its main campus in Pasadena, California and several satellite campuses in the western United States...
(1955), and his Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from the Dropsie College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning (1961). He was ordained in 1958 at Oxford Circle Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
Career
Youngblood has been most closely associated with Bethel SeminaryBethel University (Minnesota)
Bethel University is a Christian higher education institution with approximately 6,000 students from 36 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs...
, first teaching at the St. Paul campus (1961–1978) and later at the San Diego campus (1982–2001). In the interim, Youngblood was also on the faculties at Wheaton Graduate School (1978–1981) and at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is an evangelical Christian seminary located in Deerfield, Illinois. TEDS is one of the largest seminaries in the world, enrolling more than 1,200 graduate students in professional and academic programs, including more than 150 in its PhD programs...
(1981–1982).
Youngblood first joined the New International Version
New International Version
The New International Version is an English translation of the Christian Bible. Published by Zondervan in the United States and by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK, it has become one of the most popular modern translations in history.-History:...
(NIV) translation team in 1970, and was invited to join the Committee on Bible Translation in 1976, a few years prior to its first complete publication in 1978. He continued to serve as a translator for the first major revision in 1984, and was executive editor for the New International Reader's Version
New International Reader's Version
The New International Reader's Version is an English language translation of the Christian Bible. Translated by the International Bible Society on the same philosophy as the New International Version, but written in a simpler form of English, the NIRV seeks to make the Bible more accessible for...
(1995, 1998). Later, he played a significant role in the development of Today's New International Version
Today's New International Version
Today's New International Version is an English translation of the Bible developed by the Committee on Bible Translation. The CBT also developed the New International Version in the 1970s. The TNIV is based on the NIV. It is explicitly Protestant like its predecessor; the deuterocanonical books...
.
He has also served as chairman of the board of the International Bible Society
International Bible Society
Biblica, formerly named named IBS-STL Biblica, formerly named named IBS-STL Biblica, formerly named named IBS-STL (from a merger of International Bible Society (IBS) and Send the Light (STL), has its headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is a nonprofit Christian organization that...
, and editor of the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society is a refereed theological journal published by the Evangelical Theological Society. It was first published in 1958 as the Bulletin of the Evangelical Theological Society, and was given its present name in 1969.- External links :* ** in PDF format;...
(1976–1998).
Selected publications
- The Heart of the Old Testament: A Survey of Key Theological Themes (1971, 1998) ISBN 0801021723
- The Genesis Debate: Persistent Questions about Creation and the Flood (1986) ISBN 0840775172
- Books of SamuelBooks of SamuelThe Books of Samuel in the Jewish bible are part of the Former Prophets, , a theological history of the Israelites affirming and explaining the Torah under the guidance of the prophets.Samuel begins by telling how the prophet Samuel is chosen by...
in the Expositor's Bible Commentary series (1992) ISBN 0310608937 - Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, with F. F. BruceF. F. BruceFrederick Fyvie Bruce was a Biblical scholar and one of the founders of the modern evangelical understanding of the Bible...
and R. K. Harrison (1995) ISBN 0840720718 - In progress: