I want to briefly look at several Bible versions that are out there. We will analyze their accuracy and motivations for their creation. This will not be an excessive list, but will look at some of the more popular versions.
King James Versions
There had been English versions before the KJV but they were not readily accessible. The Geneva Bible, for example, was bolted to a church, and could not be removed. King James objected to the fact that people would write notes on the margins, These notes were usually critical of his administration. King James commissioned a group of scholars to put together a new translation. These men had very diverse backgrounds. Some of them were men of questionable morals. But there were also learned men who loved the Bible. While King James had a questionable character himself, he had almost noting to do with the translation. The King James Bible we have is not the 1611, but the third rewrite. The king James Bible is the standard Bible for many years. It is very poetic and easy to memorize. Some object to the archaic words it uses. It used the majority text and did not have access to some of the later finds, like the Dead Sea scrolls or the NA27. For that reason, many believe it is inferior. KJV proponents would say that the newer texts are inferior. The KJV believe that the majority text is better than the oldest. Those who believe in the KJB believe that God has preserved his word. Some of the proponents of the newer translations believe that man must judge the worth of a text. They sometimes listen to non Christian scholars or non orthodox scholars who may dismiss miracles, for instance. I believe KJV is the best English text.
New King James
The New King James uses the same text information as the King James. It take out most of the thees and thous. It does not quite have the same poetic nature of the KJV. It can be bland at times. It has never really taken off. The Evangelicals view it as being boring, kind of like New Coke. The KJV only believe that it is unnecessary. The believe you can't improve on perfection. Several of the translator were known for being anti-Semitic. Some of their words were quoted by Nazis to justify their persecution of the Jews.
New International Version
The most popular version of the evangelical world, the NIV does not translate word for word, but uses dynamic equivalence. SOme versions are totally different from the NASB and KJV. The NIV i printed exclusively by Zondervan. The word of God should not be controlled by one business. The fact that it is called the New International Version implies globalism. This could very well be the global bible used by the false prophet of the apostate system of the tribulation. The Today's NIV has just been scrapped. That version used inclusive language. A new edition of the NIV is forth coming.
The New American Standard Version
The NASB came out a few years before the NIV. It ever really took off. It is too liberal for the conservatives and too conservative for the liberals. It is referred by conservative evangelicals but is seen as sub-par. Many have abandoned it for the English Standard Version. An Update, called the NASB Update, came out in the late 1990's. It was very close to being dynamic equivalent but still considered word for word.
Revised Standard Version
The RSV is the standard version used in liturgical and liberal churches. It is known for it's inclusive language. The textual information it uses is very good. I do not recommend it for new believers but more seasoned believers can read between the lines and find it valuable. A New Revised Standard Version has been translated. Some things have been improved in this version and others have turned for the worst.
English Standard Version
The translators, many of whom were from the reformed tradition, wanted to improve the NASB and establish a conservative text friendly to the reformed viewpoint. The ESV is a conservative rewrite of the RSV. It has become very popular with more conservative evangelicals. It is recommended by Mark Driskoll, John Piper, J. I Packer and Joni Erickson Tada.
The New Living
The Living Bible was written by a conservative and was not meant to be a version but a paraphrase. There were several objectionable sections. Because the standards fro translations was dumbed down, it was able to be classified as a version. The New Living translation has been made into a full fledged version. It is marketed to a more conservative audience.
Contemporary English Version
This is a paraphrase. It is very dumbed down. In 1 Timothy, it does not separate bishop and deacons. It refers as bishops as church officers and deacons as church officials. It is very over simplified. I would not recommend it be used for devotions.
The Message
The Message was written by Eugene Petersen. The Message does have beautiful language. Petersen puts his own thoughts into the work. If you compare it to other versions, you may pause and say, "Wait a minute." It was not meant to be a full fledged version but many use it as such.
I would recommend the KJV, NASB or ESV. I still prefer the King James, but the ESV is very good. I have preached from the NIV and somewhat recommend it. I would view the Message as a paraphrase and not an actual Bible. For more information, read How To Choose A Bible Version by Robert L. Thomas.
No comments:
Post a Comment