Christian Living
AMERICAN BIBLE
Have you been shopping for a Bible lately? The choices are overwhelming. There are all kinds of bibles for all kinds of needs. There are Prayer Bibles, Teen Bibles, Illustrated Bibles, Archaeology Bibles and many others. The last time I went into my local Christian bookstore I counted five shelves full of Bibles.
Without a doubt the Bible is the most important book in the history of mankind. This is God’s word to us and a guide on how we are to live. Many of our laws and even the foundation of our country are based upon on the Bible.
The Bible has been translated in so many different ways. Sometimes I wonder if there are so many versions but so little reading of them. With all of these translations the fear is that something will be lost and errors would be made. One of the reasons for so many versions is that the Bible wasn’t originally written in English. For the most part, the Bible was originally in Hebrew and Greek. Interpreting these languages isn’t the easiest job to do. Contrary to what many people believe, Jesus didn’t actually speak in the King James Version. He didn’t go around saying “thee” and “thou” in his ministry. The language Jesus probably spoke was Aramaic.
The Bible was translated into what we know as the King James Version (KJV) in 1611. The translators mostly aimed at making a clear and accurate translation from the original languages. So many people have used the KJV over the centuries that it has become the single most important book in shaping the modern English language. Many of the best and most ancient Hebrew and Greek manuscripts of Bible books have been discovered since 1850, and so the KJV could not make use of them. The KJV is still the most widely owned and used English translation in the USA.
But is the King James Version the ONLY translation we should read? Most KJV readers think so. I’ll level with you, I grew up learning the KJV way. That’s how I learned the scriptures. Just because I was raised with the KJV doesn’t mean that’s the only version I use. There are many reasons that I use different translations.
Quite frankly, some other versions such as The Message, New Living Translation (NLT) and New International Version (NIV) are easier to read and understand. I do think it’s important to be careful in choosing these translations. God is very clear that we shouldn’t add to or take away from His Word. (Revelation 22:18-19) There are some groups which use their own “scriptures” or try to add another book to the Bible. It should be clear that the Bible is the complete work. All of these so-called “Lost Gospels” are simply vain attempts to discredit the authenticity of the Word of God. In these end times, we should all be careful so that we are not deceived.
With those warnings in mind, I recommend the following translations:
For reading the Bible as you would a novel, I recommend The Message translation. With Eugene Peterson’s best-selling paraphrase of the Bible, you can read the Bible in our everyday language.
For a good study Bible, I use the Quest Study Bible, New International Version. The NIV was a completely new translation, but it was strongly influenced by the King James tradition. The full Bible was published in 1978 and revised in 1984. A blend of form-based and meaning-based translation types, the NIV is one of the most popular English Bibles in use today. It is equally useful for individual study and public worship, especially among more traditional and conservative denominations.
If you want to study the Hebrew and Greek origins of words in the Bible, I have found that the Amplified Version (AMP) is a very good source for this. The Amplified Bible is a translation that, by using synonyms and definitions, both explains and expands the meaning of words in the text by placing amplification in parentheses and brackets after key words or phrases. This unique system of translation allows the reader to more completely grasp the meaning of the words as they were understood in the original languages. Through multiple expressions, fuller and more revealing appreciation is given to the divine message as the original text legitimately permits.
My preferred method for reading the Bible is to listen to an audio Bible while reading. I have found this to increase my attention and focus on what I’m reading. Many times I pick up on things that I haven’t noticed by simply reading. I usually like to use the New Living Translation (NLT) for this. The NLT is a good translation to use with youth and adults who have difficulty with the traditional language of a formal equivalent translation.
For formal reading of the Bible and memorizing scripture, I still prefer the KJV. I suppose it’s because I feel more at home with the KJV.
Whatever translation you read, I urge you to do your homework before you purchase a Bible. Do your research and find the one that is right and is right for your reading abilities. Of course, the most important part is to actually read the Bible for yourself.
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