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Sunday, December 31, 2023

Helpful Information to Know About Bible Translations

Translations & Types of the Bible

For a fuller list of information, you can go to



Bible Translations, is there a "perfect one" that I should read? Like many others, I often get asked which Bible translation is the best, or why I preach out of the translation I do (usually NIV). I also have been reprimanded by individuals from time to time when I guest speak at churches for not using "the right translation". It is a great study and will remain a good topic as long as this area grows.

Bible teachers and preachers like to use different translations for different purposes. When I am teaching or preaching I usually use the NIV because it is a good mixture of "word for word" and "thought for thought" but it does have its issues and they frequently change different aspects. I have found it is what most people "in the pew" are using. However, when I am preparing for a sermon/class I try to compare translations. This is very easily done ONLINE now. (If I'm preaching from the New Testament I usually consort a Greek Interlinear Bible, KJV, NASB, NRSV, NLT, NCV, and the NIV.) In some cases, the NIV misses the mark and I will opt for a different translation for a particular text.

There has been a good article written on this topic. I thought you all might find this interesting.

5 Things You Need to Know About Bible Translations


As the article states, all translations have their strengths and weaknesses. So, I thought you all might like to read this article. He makes some good points.


#translations



What is the BEST Bible Translation? Translations Explained!
Discussing Bible translations is a VERY DANGEROUS topic.  There are a lot of opinions and emotions around which ones are the BEST.  However, understanding how and why each translation was created allows for us to choose the best translation for each of the different ways we use our Bible's.

Bible Translations with Kevin Burr with Wes McAdams - Radically Christian
Many people have asked, “What is the best translation of the Bible?” Some wonder if there are unreliable versions of the Bible that should be avoided. There are also questions swirling around about whether or not modern translations remove verses from the Bible. This episode of The Bible Study Podcast explores how translations work and how to be a better Bible student by understanding translation philosophy. Wes McAdams and guest Kevin Burr, a Greek and New Testament professor at Harding University, discuss the differences between word-for-word and thought-for-thought translations. They emphasize that no single translation is "the best," but rather that each has strengths and weaknesses. They also explain why some translations exclude certain verses based on older, more reliable manuscripts. The conversation highlights how language changes over time, making updated translations necessary for clarity and accuracy. Kevin Burr teaches Greek and New Testament at Harding University and previously served as a discipleship minister at King’s Crossing Church of Christ in Corpus Christi, Texas. He has nearly a decade of congregational ministry experience and now equips future ministers in biblical studies. Resources Mentioned: Logos Bible Study Software (logos.com/radicallychristian) From the KJV to the NIV by Jack P. Lewis Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew About the Bible by Michael Bird

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