About the Author

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            Fred R. Coulter attended the University of San Francisco and graduated from San Mateo State College before graduating from Ambassador University (Ambassador College), Pasadena, California, with a BA in Theology in 1964.  He was ordained a minister of Jesus Christ in 1965 and pastored churches of God in the Pacific Northwest, the Mountain States, and the greater Los Angeles area and Monterey, including the central coast area in California.  Mr. Coulter completed advanced biblical and ministerial studies in 1972-75 under the Ambassador University master’s program.  While completing these studies, his professor of Koiné Greek encouraged him to consider translating the books of the New Testament.

            After completing his formal instruction in Koiné Greek, Mr. Coulter continued to expand his knowledge by undertaking a verse-by-verse study of the books of the New Testament, using the Byzantine Text.  In the course of his study, he was moved to translate the Gospel accounts into clearer, more understandable English for contemporary readers.  The early fruit of his labor, A Harmony of the Gospels in Modern English, is now in its third edition. 

            In translating the four Gospels, Mr. Coulter endeavored to accurately and clearly convey the meaning of the Greek text as defined by the rules of Greek grammar and syntax, guided by an absolute conviction that every word in the Gospel accounts is authentic and essential to a full understanding of the whole of Scripture.  It is Mr. Coulter’s belief that every book in the New Testament is God-breathed and holy, and, the words of God were given for all mankind to read and understand.  This belief has been the underlying principle and motivation behind his translation of each book of the New Testament.

            Mr. Coulter’s translation of the New Testament was undertaken as part of his commitment to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.  When Jesus walked the earth, He instructed His disciples to preach the gospel to all nations (Matt. 28:19).  To fulfill this commission, it was necessary to translate the Scriptures so that all people could read the words of God in their own language.  With the Scriptures in hand, the apostles and their disciples traveled throughout the ancient world.  Greek historians record that the apostle Thaddaeus carried the gospel message to Mesopotamia and Assyria; the apostles Matthew, Thomas and Bartholomew traveled to the lands of the Medes, Persians, and Bactrians and to India; the apostles Philip, Matthias and Andrew journeyed north into the kingdoms of Antiochus, Cappadocia and Polemon, and to the Bosporus and Asiatic Scythia; the apostles John, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon the Zealot and Peter traveled to Britain and Ireland; and the apostle James (son of Zebedee, brother of John) remained in Jerusalem to continue the work in the land of Judea.  Thus the written message of the gospel of Jesus Christ was transported to the entire civilized world.  People in all nations could read the Scriptures and learn the way of life that Jesus had lived and taught.

            In the centuries that followed, however, access to the Scriptures was denied to the common people, and the reading and interpretation of Scripture was restricted to the priesthood of the Universal Church of God—the Catholic Church.  The Roman Catholic Church assumed sole authority over Scripture, claiming that only the priests had been empowered to understand and interpret the Scriptures.  Thus the words of God were “locked up” and were no longer the possession of the people. 

            With the coming of the Reformation, the Scriptures were restored to the people.  At the core of the Reformation was the belief that all people should read the Scriptures and seek to learn the will of God.  This belief led to the translation of Scripture into English by William Tyndale and into German by Martin Luther.  Since those early translations, the Holy Scriptures have been translated into every major language in the world, and a countless number of dialects, so that nearly all nations have access to the words of God.

            In these modern times, however, the restoration of Scripture to the people has been threatened by a number of translations that omit or add words or even whole verses.  In addition, some translations have added entire books that were not part of the original authentic canon.  “Higher criticism” has purported to expose weaknesses and discrepancies in the authentic texts, undermining the faith of many.  An array of scholars in the academic world has replaced the Catholic priesthood as translators and interpreters of Scripture.

            Jesus Christ Himself said that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth.  Expertise in the Greek language alone does not impart understanding of the truth of God; nor does ordination and induction into the clergy.  As the Scriptures were inspired by the Holy Spirit, they can only be understood through the enlightenment and leading of the Holy Spirit.

            In undertaking to translate the New Testament, Mr. Coulter has acknowledged the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the writing of each book and sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit in translating each passage and verse.  Throughout his endeavor, he carefully studied the use of the Greek verbs, participles and prepositions in order to accurately translate the meaning of the Greek text.  In addition, he consulted with experts in Koiné Greek when a term or phrase in the Greek text was ambiguous or open to question.  This combination of diligent study and faith in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit has led to a translation that accurately and faithfully sets forth the true meaning of the Greek text of the New Testament.

December 2003

Other Works by the Author

            The Christian Passover is a book of over 500 pages that details the scriptural and historical truths of the Passover in both the Old and New Testaments, leading the reader step-by-step through every aspect of one of the most vital and fundamental teachings revealed in the Bible.  It fully explains the meaning of the Christian Passover—a remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Passover Lamb of God—in a most compelling and inspiring manner.  The full meaning of the body and blood of Jesus Christ is revealed, showing the magnitude of God’s love for every person, and His awesome plan and purpose for mankind.

            A Harmony of the Gospels In Modern English brings to life the message and purpose of the true Jesus, portraying His life and ministry in their true historical setting.  This easy-to-understand, step-by-step account of the life of Jesus Christ is an indispensable study aid for every serious Bible student.

            The Seven General Epistles is designed for an in-depth verse-by-verse study of the epistles of James; I and II Peter; I, II and III John and Jude.  As part of the living Word of God, these epistles are as meaningful today for personal Christian growth as when they were written.

            Lord, What Should I Do? is a book for Christians who are confused and bewildered by the escalating spiritual and doctrinal chaos in Christian churches today, which is undermining the true faith of the Bible.  Any religious organization that teaches truths from the Word of God is a target for the forces of evil behind this chaos.  This book clarifies the problem and offers the solution.

            On-Line studies for the serious Bible student, more written information and in-depth Bible studies in audio format can be obtained at www.cbcg.org.