I didn't hear the Common English Bible mentioned. As a former Cokesbury employee I know that one is gaining popularity in the United Methodist Church and worth a read. I still read my NLT that has my named engraved and was a gift from my mother on my 16th birthday.
True. It's good to dip our toes into the field of Textual Criticism, as well. That deals with the web of original language manuscripts and understanding the data concerning variants. I got my introduction to that topic online from educators like J. Warner Wallace and James White.
For my money, the RSV trilogy is the best: RSV-CE, NRSV, and ESV. Then again, the Tyndale-KJV tradition in general is pretty solid (can't go wrong with the ASV, NASB, or NKJV), and the REB isn't too shabby, either.
I think anyone serious about learning the scriptures should have several translations close at hand. For myself writings like the Psalms, Song of Solomon, etc. should be read in the language of Shakespeare-anything else leaves me flat. The NT letters and epistles don't work well in these modern times as lyric poetry. For the most part they're business letters-the nuts and bolts of building and keeping their newfound faith relevant and on point-and need to be read in plain language; easy to understand.
I still stick to the KJV, although I actually prefer the style of the RSV. The NRSV would be good if it were a little less paraphrastic. I have serious problems with the use of paraphrastic renderings as a _primary_ version, and there's some seriously flawed versions produced by people who claim to be "recovering" or "restoring" the Bible (e.g., Joseph Smith's "Inspired Version", Brian Simmons' "Passion Translation", the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society's "New World Translation"). Any time you hear language suggesting new revelation, run fast.
NASB or ESV are probably the most accurate. The KJV added in verses from the eleventh century text, whereas the newer MSS don't have those verses. This is why many Bibles have footnotes talking about the reliability of a certain verse. Non of these verses take away or add any real doctrine to Christian teaching.
Nearly 300 English versions of the Bible since 1881? God is not the author of confusion. He was either able to preserve his words for us today or he seriously dropped the ball and we wound up with "the earliest and most reliable" manuscripts. Personally, I believe that if God is able to preserve our souls, he can preserve His word for us. But that may be lost on many of you Methodists, who don't believe in eternal security anyway.
I love the different translations
I didn't hear the Common English Bible mentioned. As a former Cokesbury employee I know that one is gaining popularity in the United Methodist Church and worth a read. I still read my NLT that has my named engraved and was a gift from my mother on my 16th birthday.
My Favorite Kjv Nkjv Niv.
I feel it does matter which one we get. The more authentic the better. Just because it sells more doesn't mean it's the best quality.
True. It's good to dip our toes into the field of Textual Criticism, as well. That deals with the web of original language manuscripts and understanding the data concerning variants. I got my introduction to that topic online from educators like J. Warner Wallace and James White.
NET is my fave. but I really like the NLT, too.
For my money, the RSV trilogy is the best: RSV-CE, NRSV, and ESV. Then again, the Tyndale-KJV tradition in general is pretty solid (can't go wrong with the ASV, NASB, or NKJV), and the REB isn't too shabby, either.
I think anyone serious about learning the scriptures should have several translations close at hand. For myself writings like the Psalms, Song of Solomon, etc. should be read in the language of Shakespeare-anything else leaves me flat. The NT letters and epistles don't work well in these modern times as lyric poetry. For the most part they're business letters-the nuts and bolts of building and keeping their newfound faith relevant and on point-and need to be read in plain language; easy to understand.
I think it should have been explained some are more literal than others.
Versions I read:
NIV
NRSV
NKJV
NABRE
ESV
I still stick to the KJV, although I actually prefer the style of the RSV. The NRSV would be good if it were a little less paraphrastic.
I have serious problems with the use of paraphrastic renderings as a _primary_ version, and there's some seriously flawed versions produced by people who claim to be "recovering" or "restoring" the Bible (e.g., Joseph Smith's "Inspired Version", Brian Simmons' "Passion Translation", the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society's "New World Translation"). Any time you hear language suggesting new revelation, run fast.
NASB or ESV are probably the most accurate. The KJV added in verses from the eleventh century text, whereas the newer MSS don't have those verses. This is why many Bibles have footnotes talking about the reliability of a certain verse. Non of these verses take away or add any real doctrine to Christian teaching.
I hoped for a little more substance. This felt like a smattering of statistics.
Don’t read The Message! That translation is trash
Nearly 300 English versions of the Bible since 1881? God is not the author of confusion. He was either able to preserve his words for us today or he seriously dropped the ball and we wound up with "the earliest and most reliable" manuscripts.
Personally, I believe that if God is able to preserve our souls, he can preserve His word for us. But that may be lost on many of you Methodists, who don't believe in eternal security anyway.