This course considers the history and role of Bible translation in the mission strategy of the Church. It focuses especially on the African church. It explores how Bible translation has contributed to the growth of the church and suggests why it does so. It also deals briefly with the role of culture in Bible translation, sociolinguistics issues in Bible translation and other disciplines that contribute to a Bible translation programme such as linguistic analysis, anthropological studies, literacy and the need to plan. Finally it looks at what makes up our Bible in a study of the formation of the canon and textual development.