The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Bible Versions

I was chatting online last evening with our illustrious host, Pilgrim. I had mentioned to him that I wanted to start a discussion about hermeneutics on the theology forum. I was just about to do that now when it occured to me that there
was a bit of a question that should preceed my study of hermeneutics.

Which Bible version do you folks prefer, and why?

I hear good things about the ESV but I have never used that one. I gather from my reading that it is a fairly new version. Any comments on that?

I seem to remember hearing nasty things about the NIV, but I can't remember what the problems were. Comments on that?

My wife is partial to the RSV that she grew up with. The church we attend uses the New King James, which is what I have been reading.

Anyone know of any web pages or other online sources that will talk about all the different versions? Maybe one that doesn't have a hard core preference to push? I understand that a dispensationalist will want to claim the Darby or Scofield Bible as the "only" one, and there are probably others that will claim a version based on their sect. Is there anthing from a reformed perspective?

I use a NIV Reformation Study Bible. I have always used NIV. I am interested in Hermeneutics. I have to confess, I don't think that I will ever spend a lot of time in the King James. But that is just a personal preferance of mine. I would like to buy an ESV soon though.

If you havn't looked at the Reformation Study Bible, I would encourage you to do so. There is a version in NIV and also in NKJ.

Y.B.I.C,

Dave. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/coffee2.gif" alt="" />

For a recent discussion re: NIV, etc., see here: Literal vs. Dynamic.

Some other threads on this topic:

NIV Bible
Bible Versions

A website to consult on versions: http://faith.propadeutic.com/questions.html

I personally prefer the "ASV" (1901 Edition) to them all for study and the KJV for devotional and daily reading. Other versions that I would put my own stamp or approval on are the NKJV and NASB. As to the RSV, it has some definite non-conservative biases behind its translation and thus fails to make my list. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Reformation Monk mentioned the "Reformation Study Bible", which I concur is one of the very best in the Study Bible category. But as you will see from the thread linked above, I am adamantly opposed to the NIV version. And on a little side note, we are giving away a deluxe leather-bound copy of the "Reformation Study Bible" (NKJV edition) to the 25th person to donate to The Highway with a gift of $20 or more. See here: Support The Highway Special Offer.

In His Grace,

Dave,

The New Reformation Study Bible has all the helpful study comments and theological notes which are consistant with the Reformed Faith. I really like this feature. It also has the catechisms and confessions in the back, making it a real good single volume study tool. However, I agree with Pilgrim the New International Version leaves a lot to be desired.

I use the New Geneva Study Bible which has the study comments and theological notes which are consistant with the Reformed Faith but uses the New King James Version.


Wes <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" />

Reformation Monk,

I would like to recommend a couple of books to you which deal with this issue of "Dynamic Equivalence" and the New International Version Bible. My favorite is evidently out of print at this time and my own personal copy is missing from my library, having loaned it out to an assumed trusted borrower who never returned it. The title is, The Future of the Bible, by Jakob Van Bruggen. The second, however, is still in print and published by The Banner of Truth. Its title is, Accuracy of Translation And the New International Version, by Robert P. Martin. His concluding remarks from his study of the NIV and critique of the "Dynamic Equivalence" philosophy of translation can be read here: Is the NIV an Accurate Translation?.

In His Grace,

Richard Pratt states that the Reformation Study Bible should be out in ESV within the next year or so. They will also be updating some of the notes in the Bible at that time--

Another good resource is Robert L. Thomas's book, How to Choose a Bible Version (ISBN 1857924967). It includes an in-depth history of how the King James Version was translated, and an article titled, "Dynamic Equivalence: A Method of Translation or a System of Hermeneutics?" His highest recommendation goes to the NASB.