Tome. That is the right word. Dictionary.com says it means “a very heavy, large, or learned book.” I do believe that this book qualifies.  And if the size is not enough to make it a tome, look at the title:

The Impact of Vernacular Bible Translation on the Dabomba and the Konkomba of Northern Ghana in the Light of Lamin Sanneh’s Conception of Mission as Translation

Sounds like the title of a doctoral thesis. Oh yeah, that’s what it is. So, I am not going to try to talk you into reading it. But, I have been given the job of scanning it and that is a tedious job. So if you want to come help …

So, why am I doing something crazy like scanning a dusty old tome? We,ll, buried in the academic-speak of this imposing, but unappetizing volume, is some startling information. It documents the dramatic impact the translation of the Bible has had in two languages in northern Ghana, the Konkomba and Dagomba. Before the translation, both peoples rejected Christianity, seeing it as a faith of outsiders. Numerous attempts to evangelize them failed. But once the Bible was translated, many Konkomba and Dagomba put their trust in Christ.

But (just like in the TV commercials) there’s more! The gospel of Jesus Christ has transformed these communities. It has broken down relationships of servitude and brought peace to tribal disputes. In 2010 I talked with the author of this tome. He told me that his research shows that Bible translation “creates more positive transformation than all government programs combined and for much less money. See my blog About GILLBT for more details.

There are only a handful of copies of this thesis, so I am scanning it in preparation for publishing it. More people need this information! The bad news? It will be published as is for scholarly consumption. The good news? We are also planning a readable version for everyone. So, I’m off to scan another 50 pages or so.