What's with all the different English translations of the Bible out there? What are their origins? Which one is the best? Or doesn't it make a difference?
I've always used the New International Version (NIV) because it was the one I was given not long after I became a Christian and it's the only Bible I've ever had. Personally, I'm not fussed with translations as long as I understand the gist of the passage.
But some people have their preferences and others go beyond that and insist there is only one true translation. People who insist the King James (KJV) or New King James (NKJV) are the only versions to use really get my goat because, quite often, they themselves have no idea why they think this way; they are just going on what their church has said. A friend of mine told us recently about when he preached at a church other than his own and an older lady told him afterwards that she liked his sermon, but she usually didn't listen to anything that wasn't preached using the KJV (he used NIV). He thought to himself, "What a stupid woman!"
For a while, my old church in Perth started using the English Standard Version (ESV) during services because they reckoned it was more accurate then reverted back to the NIV because it was what most people had. I've heard mixed opinions on the New Living Translation (NLT), the Good News Bible and The Message (is that even considered a translation?). Some despise them with every breath they take while others rave about them. Who is right?
So......help! Is there anyone who wants to add an opinion on Bible translations such as which ones are better than others or if it doesn't make a difference? Are there any good books out there which explain when and where the different translations originated from?
2 comments:
I love and use the NLT almost exclusively. It is written in readale language, and I love the fresh feel of it.
The ironic thing about KJV is that it is now recognised as one of the most innacurate of all translations. Having said that, there is nothing wrong with it.
Most translations are good, some are just better for certain applications.
I have studied Greek/Hebrew and translation techniques, and at some point you understand that every translation will be different and take a slighty different stance, but that is okay because overwhelmingly they are all pretty accurate and agree with each other, they just put it in different ways.
KJV only people are just ignorant...and it is an emotional response to defend that version over all others, not a considered one.
Thanks for your thoughts, Mark. What sources did you use to study translation techniques? Are there any good books out there that aren't too difficult to read?
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