Thought for Today
Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
John 2:22 After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
“. . . no one can give you an exact number for the English translations and paraphrases of the Bible printed since Tyndale's New Testament of 1526. In part this is due to the difficulty of determining what should be defined as a new translation as opposed to a correction or a revision of an existing translation. There is the additional question of how we should count translations that include not a complete Bible or Testament, but just a group of books or even a single book. And then, of course, there is the difficulty of sheer numbers. With all these caveats in mind, the number of printed English translations and paraphrases of the Bible, whether complete or not, is about 900.” (www.news.americanbible.org) Which of those 900 is ‘the best?’ Can all 900 really be equally correct? Do we really need 900 different English translations of the same book?
Greta’s protests notwithstanding, I do not have 900 different Bibles cluttering up every available bit of space in our home. I do, however, have numerous different English language translations. Many in my generation grew up with the King James Version (KJV). The Bible verses I memorized as a child in Vacation Bible School were all from the KJV. Even today, I have trouble remembering or reciting John 3:16 or Psalm 23 in any other version. But, my presentation Bible given to me in 1956 is a first edition Revised Standard Version (RSV). I have several Bibles inherited from my father which are even earlier English “modern language” translations of the Bible, including a 1922 translation by James A. Moffett.
In addition to the proliferation of translations, many are available in different formats. I have several different ‘Study Bibles,’ many in different English language translations. I also have several of what I think of as ‘special orientation’ Bibles. I have a Life Application Bible in the New International Version (NIV). I have a Discipleship Study Bible in the New Standard Version (NSRV). I have an Archaeological Study Bible (NIV). I don’t know whether or not there is an Engineering Study Bible, but, it wouldn’t surprise me. Which of those is ‘the best?’ Can all really be equally correct? Do we really need all those different versions of the same book?
This being the Electronic Age, I also have Bible software on my computer and my tablet. My computer software is one I got when I entered seminary, so it is now 20+ years old. It went through several iterations and updates. Sadly, it is no longer supported or sold; but, it still works just fine. I use it every day. It has a wealth of information, the Bible in almost every language spoken on earth, several different translations, commentaries and even lexicons for Greek and Hebrew.
Which one is best? Which translation; which ‘special orientation; which medium? Is print preferable over electronic? Where are Christians today to go to find that inspired scripture which Paul told Timothy “is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness?”
I have never encountered any translation I thought to be grievously in error. I do have my personal preferences. The majesty of the wording in the KJV has never been surpassed (in my opinion), especially in verses like Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Regrettably, many of us today can easily get lost in the pronouns of the KJV. It can be hard to tell who is doing what to whom.
Which one is best? I believe the best translation of the Bible, the best ‘special orientation’ Bible is the one you will pick up and read. I do find it helpful for myself to have several different translations to consult. I find interesting ideas and often deeper meaning to see how different scholars have understood the original text. I find inspiration from the koine Greek and from the thoughts of all those translators.
Pick up your Bible today. Read your favorite verses; read your favorite stories. If you have other versions, read those verses and stories in those versions. Immerse yourself in the inspired Word of God.
Stay safe, read your Bible, trust God,
Pastor Ray