Mark Strauss is an American New Testament scholar who serves on the translation committee for the New International Version (NIV). In this lengthy article, he argues persuasively for Bible translations using a functional equivalent methodology for translation, or at least for avoiding pure formal equivalance in translation, which fail to convey the true meaning of the biblical text.
This is a long read, but well worth it: http://www.bible-researcher.com/Strauss.LiteralFallacy.pdf
I have always enjoyed reading the NIV which I thintk usually strikes a good balance between accuracy and comprehensibility for a wide readership. Not surprisingly this is the kind of translation Dr Strauss believes should be our main Bible translation for personal reading and church use. Having said that, he is also clear there is a place for more "formal equivalent" translations that tend to stick closer to the words of the original Hebrew and Greek, though often not conveying the meaning as clearly to the English reader.
Dr Strauss is also co-author, with the late Gordon Fee, of How to Choose a Bible Translation for All Its Worth which is a book-length exploration of Bible translations in English and the pros and cons of the translation philosophies that underlie our translations.
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