| Author | Message | ||
| Valm |
I plan on buying a new Bible, any advice? Which translations appeal to you and why? what would you not buy? Also I am looking for a Bible that has the historical overview inserted of the time period in which various books were written as well as the time period the author is writing about. I am thinking about the "Quest" Bible which I think is an NIV. I am thinking of also buying a "Message" Bible to read to my youngsters. Opinions greatly appreciated. Valerie | ||
| Patti |
Hi, Val. I prefer NIV, personally. But are you aware you can access any translation online? There are many concordances and Bible study helps available online. My favorite is: http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible? It loads up very fast. The most complete and extensive site I have found is Crosswalk.com. It has many translations of the Bible, a concordance, Nave's topical Bible, Bible dictionaries, commentaries and lexicons. The URL is: http://bible.crosswalk.com | ||
| Korinna |
Hi Valerie. Just last night i bought myself a new bible, a NKJV. I really like the new King James. My hubby and i are also going to start the new year and take the whole year to learn how to read the new testmament in greek so wish us luck!! (looks more difficult than i imagined hehehee)Thats a great couple links Patti left too:) take care!:) korinna | ||
| Steve |
Howdy folks, Haven't been around (the website) in quite a while, but here's my 2-cents re: Bible translations. When I decided to start looking at the doctrines of the church and what the New Testament had to say about them, I decided to use the NASB, updated in 1995, it is considered one of the most accurate translations in English to date. (And finding out that folks like Dale Ratzlaff have used the NASB extensively in their studies, has been encouraging.) However, there are many good translations out there today. Patti mentions the NIV, overall it is an excellent translation. Valerie mentions the Quest Study Bible. The Quest Study Bible was designed with Seekers in mind. It has been done using the NIV translation, but I don't know if it's available in any other translation. For study Bibles, the new NASB Study Bible is outstanding. It incorporates the NIV study notes from the NIV Study Bible, and the notes have been updated to reflect the NASB translation. For years, I've enjoyed the Jerusalem Bible, now the New Jerusalem Bible. It's a Catholic Bible, complete with Imprimatur. It uses some unique, but theologically well-accepted language and has gained respect among Protestants as well as Catholics. The Message, a true paraphrase, not a translation, nonetheless seems to be doing for our current generation what Phillip's paraphrase did back in the 50's (1950's, remember?). I even shared my copy of the Message New Testament with an elderly woman in New Mexico. She enjoyed it so much, I gave it to her. As yet, I have not heard any serious theological problems with Eugene Peterson's paraphrase. He has completed the Old Testament prophets and wisdom, and is working toward completing the entire Bible (although I don't know the time-frame of that.) Most of all, when doing Bible study, be sure to compare at least two or three recognized translations. Preferrably one that has been translated "word-for-word" (e.g., NASB) and one that has been translated "thought-for-thought" (a dynamic equivalence translation) such as the New Jerusalem. And don't forget one of my favorite lines, when someone asks you to "pray about it" rather than read the scriptures, as one modern-day cult is fond of doing, remind them that if it has been revealed in the Word of God, then there is no need to pray about it. (You may want to pray, and that's an excellent thing to do when studying scripture, but if the Bible is really the written Word of God, then the Holy Spirit will not inspire you in ways that are in conflict with His Word.) A quick word about software: I use BibleWorks 4.0. I believe it has over 60 versions of the Bible, dozens in English, a few Greek, about 2 or 4 Hebrew translations, with many, MANY helps, including a "drag & translate" function for some of the English translations. This allows you to see the Greek or Hebrew words the English is derived from, as well as meanings with variant translations and where those translations are found elsewhere in Scripture. In this day and age, don't settle for just one version. If your pocketbook can afford it, you can get BibleWorks 4.0 for around $299. It is used by Bible students, Pastors and Theologians the world over, and is considered one of the better Bible software programs available. (Considering that one Study Bible costs anywhere from $40 to $70, or more, $299 may be worth the cost in the long run, however I realize having a hard-copy of a Study Bible to take along is also important.) Hope to talk to you all again soon. God Bless, Steve | ||
| Steve |
And one quick note: Just noticed Korinna's post re: Greek. Believe it or not, the basics of Greek can be learned in a couple of years. Although definitely not an expert (I've only taken 2 years of Greek), I once was able to read fluently, understand much of what I was reading, but translate unaided very little. My classes were once a week, with assignments throughout the week. However, there are so many good aids, no serious Bible student should feel put-off by Greek. Learn how to read the language, then get some good helps THAT ARE RECOGNIZED BY SCHOLARS AND THEOLOGIANS ACROSS DENOMINATIONAL LINES and go for it! You'll be surprised what you can learn! Have fun, Steve | ||
| Patti |
Steve! You read my mind. Just yesterday I was wondering where you were and I intended to write a post to you today. So good to see you! Patti | ||
| Cindy |
Hi Steve. Welcome back here! Just a few days ago I was wondering again how you were doing, (not knowing much from being out of the "hub" area of FAF land, :-)) ) I've missed your posts... Thanks for all the information and suggestions on Bibles, software, Greek, etc. I haven't been motivated enough to study Greek yet, but maybe someday... :-)) Grace always, Cindy | ||
| Larimobley |
Thought I'd add my two cents to this thread! I absolutely love the New Living Translation. It's an actual translation not a paraphrase like the Living Bible, and it's really a joy to read. It's also called "The Book." I bought a nice leather edition that is also a study Bible from Family Christian Stores. Happy Bible shopping-- Lari | ||
| Max |
For a paraphrase I like the Contemporary English Version (CEV). Here's some of what the translators say about it: The CEV "differs from all other English Bibles -- past and present -- in that it takes into consideration the needs of the HEARER, as well as those of the reader, who may not be familiar with traditional biblical language." I'm not sure I agree totally with that perhaps somewhat overblown observation, but I DO LOVE THIS BIBLE! | ||
| Max |
SAMPLE CHAPTER FROM THE CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION (1995): Psalm 137 Beside the rivers of Babylong we thought about Jerusalem, and we sat down and cried. We hung our small harps on the willow trees. Our enemies had brought us here as their prisoners, and now they wanted us to sing and entertain them. They insulted us and shouted, "Sing about Zion!" Here in a foreign land, how can we sing about the Lord? Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand go limp. Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I don't think about you above all else. Our Lord, punish the Edomites! Because the day Jerusalem fell, they shouted, "Completely destroy the city! Tear down every building!" Babylon, you are doomed! I pray the Lord's blessings on anyone who punishes you for what you did to us. May the Lord bless everyone who beats your children against the rocks! | ||
| Korinna |
hey Max i have a CEV too...it puts things in the most simple manner and is easy to follow. Sometimes tho i think it takes away from the real meaning of some scriptures but i think its a good one for a quick verse or reference. Thanks Steve for your own experience with greek. I am very interested in learning as is Hubby. we have this tradition of every new years picking a project to work on together so at the end of the year we can say we did it...or at least accomplished a task thus far:) thanks for the encouragement! | ||
| Max |
What the hey, Korinna, it's a paraphrase! By the way, I'm sure you're too young to remember the song, "Korinna, Korinna." It was a fifties hit, now "an oldy but goldy." Bless, | ||
| Max |
Hi Valerie, Just remembered a "Bible" to be avoided -- the CLEAR WORD BIBLE (CWB). What it is: 1. A PARAPHRASE, not a translation. Not that there's anything wrong with a paraphrase. Some of my best-friend Bibles are paraphrases. Only that there IS something wrong with a paraphrase masquerading as a translation. Masquerading? How so? To illustrate: While still in Adventism -- in its body but not in its spirit -- I was attending a Wednesday night Bible-study-prayer-circle meeting. One woman there brought her CWB and literally judged all other versions of Scripture by it! I kid you not. And it was accepted by the group as a whole as "the standard Word of God." And so I durst not expose it for fear of my life. To be honest, one would have to admit that some of the more forthcoming Historical (don't say "hysterical") Adventists will actually come right out and admit that CWB's not a real translation when intensely pressed, but always with a muffled "heh heh heh" under their breath. 2. An EXPANDED PARAPHRASE. So technically it's not even a true paraphrase. What is it expanded by? The 27 points of fundamental belief and inwoven EGW prophetic utterances. An expanded paraphrase isn't necessarily bad either, as long as it's honest with itself and with the reader. The Amplified Bible is an example of an expanded paraphrase that is honest enough to use the word "amplified" in its title so that the reader isn't misled. 3. A HISTORICAL (I've already warned you not to say "hysterical") SDA EXPANDED-BY-EGW PARAPHRASE. And so SDA liberals -- the "re-visionist" in-group, the "SDA identity-crisis" crowd (including Spectrumites and Adventist- Todayans) -- won't "own" it. But make no mistake, the "bewitched" (Galatians 3:1) throng of pew-sitters loooves it. Max of the Cross | ||
| Denisegilmore |
Another one to avoid is: New World Translation of the holy scriptures. This is a bible put out by jehovah witnesses and is full of error. beware! | ||
| Doug222 (Doug222) |
I have been experimenting with some different versions of the Bible. While in Adventism, I was pretty much a "King James Man." I guess I saw it like eating your vegetables. They didn't taste too good, but they were good for you. Since my "liberation," I have been drawn to the NIV. Lately I have looked at the New Living Translation and the Amplified Bible. I was really surprised to learn that the NLT was not a paraphrase. It sure sounds like one. I was equally surprised to learn that the Amplified Bible was one. Does anyone have any thoughts on the merits of these two versions? Thanks. Doug | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Hi, Doug! I'm glad you brought up this subject. The Amplified Bible, I learned from our pastor, is a type of paraphrase. It includes many alternative synonyms, etc., for key words. In other words, it is written with a variety of adjectives where a translation might have only one, or a variety of verbs where the real thing would have only one. And you know how synonyms work; they have similar definitions but different shades of meaning. In the Bible, introducing different shades of meaning can completely obscure the real message. I would not use the Amplified Bible if I were studying for understanding what the Book really says. I also have heard that the New Living Bible is a translation. I'm not familiar with it, however. I personally use NIV, and the Bible I have is the NIV with Study Notes. The study notes are really good; they are not commentary in the strict sense of commentary; rather, they give background/historical information when helpful and also refer some passages to other passages in the Bible where the same theme occurs. They also give some linguistic background when necessary. I also use the NASB (New American Standard Bible) as an alternative reading source. The NIV is a translation, and quite an accurate one. The method of its translation is by thought instead of word for word. Nothing is ommitted, but the ideas expressed in the original languages are meticulously translated into English. There was a committe of respected interdenominational Biblical scholars who did the translation. The NASB is a literal translation. It puts the syntax into English sentence structure, but it does translate word by word instead of thought by thought. In some details it might be argued to be more accurate because it deals word by word. It is a little less "comfortable" to read than the NIV because the word by word translation is a bit more awkward than the thought by thought. I understand that there is an NASB Bible published with the NIV Study Notes. (The NIV study notes work for any translation because they deal with language, history, and intra-textual references. One way to understand the NIV study notes might be to think of them as more closely related to the information found in a good Bible dictionary than that found in a commentary.) Either translation is very good; I like having both. The NLT might be good also; I just have no experience with it. I know that our pastor, who is a Biblical scholar in his own right, uses NIV in his sermons, but he always goes back to Hebrew and Greek when he studies. He does give NASB alternate readings on occasion. These, however, are just my impressions. Anyone else? Colleen | ||
| Doug222 (Doug222) |
Thanks Colleen. I have a Life Application Study Bible. It is NIV. I realy like the readability of it, but find that I have to be very dscerning with the "application notes." Some of them lean toward the legalistic side. They also believe in the distinction between the moral and ceremonial laws--and we kow what kinds of theological problems that poses. Anyway, I welcome comments from others as well. Thanks. Doug | ||
| Lydell (Lydell) |
Doug, you should take a look at the Message Bible too. It isn't for study at all! It is a paraphrase in more informal language. Sometimes it is good for just smacking you upside the head and getting your attention on passages you had never noticed before. Then of course, from there you go back to read them in a translation. And it's just fun for reading some things, like when Jesus was addressing the Pharisees. Really helps put you there. You might want to avoid the Ryrie study Bible. The footnotes are strictly Baptist theology. Hey, I love the Baptists. But if you are looking to weigh things out yourself, you want facts not interpretation of facts. I understand there is one of the study Bibles that is geared toward Presbyterians....maybe someone can help with the name of that one? For study I like the NIV and NASB. The New King James is pretty good too. All I know of the NLT is that it has that Proverbs 31 woman quilting...alright! | ||
| Gatororeo7 (Gatororeo7) |
I'll throw in my two cents for what it's worth. I grew up on KJV, took a long time to "graduate" if you will to the NIV. I own a copy of the Message which is really good if I want to just sit down and read through a few of the NT books; wouldn't recommend for study. A few months ago I got a copy of the Life Application Study Bible in New Living Translation. The NLT is another one of those literal/paraphrase translations that is more paraphrase than literal but is effective in getting the meaning straight. I've actually found it to be helpful in areas where the NIV is sometimes cloudy; it went over great in the Bible study my small group did last year in Romans. Plus, the Life Application Study Bible has some really good notes, although I agree with Doug that they do border on the legalistic side, but it's still effective. As far as background info and sorts, it's excellent. The NIV I own is designed for personal Bible study although it could be used in groups. It's called the Quiet Time Bible (unfortunately out of print from InterVarsity Press) and has passages sectioned off with study and application questions. Any Bible you can find that has something similar to that would be just as effective. Joel | ||
| Trippllb (Trippllb) |
Well, let me toss in a third vote for the Life Application Study Bible. I had never been able to actually sit down and read a bible for the sake of reading the bible. I always felt I wanted to fall asleep and usually ended up giving up my study goals pretty quickly. On my 30th birthday my brother gave me his old Life Application Study bible in the NIV translation. Having a readable bible changed my entire relationship with Christ. The way it's laid out, the different text references, and the commentary keeps my short attention span captured. I've been reading faithfully for the last 6 months. I will agree that the view of the law in the commentary is a bit legalistic with the differentiation between moral, civil and ceremonial aspects of the law being stressed. However, I'm comfortable in the outside study I did for myself in keeping the view expressed in the commentary from influencing my thought on the matter. One of the aspects I enjoy in the commentary is their lack of explanation on some of the individual texts that tend to divide. Instead of commenting on the individual theology texts, they tend to focus primarily on the contextual meaning of what's being read instead of splitting hairs on small details in various verses. Overall, itís truly the best and only bible I've been able to read consistently. | ||
| Lydell (Lydell) |
I use a Spirit-Filled Life study Bible at home (too heavy for me to carry around) right now. It is put together by Jack Hayford, and geared toward the charismatic. I'm enjoying seeing the different perspective from that I grew up with. He stays pretty neutral on the prophectic stuff, tending to give various interpretations rather than one. In the book of Revelation (which I still can't get into reading....)he gives a chart of like 8 different interpretations of how things will unfold. He states that his goal is to get people to understand each others view so they don't get caught up in the bigotry of locking in on one speculation. I like that. The notes are a mixture of facts and applications. I don't agree with everything, but haven't found any other that I do either. Have found much to challenge and change my preconceived ideas. I think it may be the American Bible Society website that has a section where you can compare a text in different translations. That could be useful to you in making your choice. | ||
| Janet (Janet) |
I also have the Spirit Filled Life study Bible, NKJ version, and I love it!!! God bless, Janet |
