We have the privilege of having the Word in our language.

Something to Think About for September 1, 2015:

Something To Think About, Translations:

I shared yesterday about the power of the Word of God.  We English speakers are fortunate to have a multitude of options when it comes to reading and studying the Bible.  The hard drive on this computer contains more than a score of Bible translations, paraphrases, and versions.  I have friends who love the Lord, who don't even have an entire Bible in their language.  Other friends of mine live in places where their choice of which translation to use is easy.  There is only one. But the plethora of English Translations is not necessarily a blessing.  Which one do I use?  Some folk grew up on the King James.  Unless they sound like they are lisping when they read, they don't think it is the real thing.  The King James is a good translation.  There is a problem, though.  Take the following quiz to see it. If someone does "you to wit," should you be insulted? If one of the soldiers in Saul's army was big enough to hold a carriage in his hand, why in the world was he afraid of Goliath? Where did the sailors with whom Paul traveled  have to go to fetch a compass? How might the living prevent those who sleep, and why would we want to? To obtain a "meat offering, did the Old Testament worshiper go to one who raised animals or one who grew crops? I've given some information at the end of this email that will help you answer the questions, but for now, just know that every one of those questions is based on the fact the meaning of words has changed in the last four-hundred years.  For many, maybe most, 21st Century English speakers the King James Bible is a translation of God's Word into a language that they don't speak.  If one is prepared to deal with the Elizabethan English the King James is a marvelous translation.   Fortunately, if you are looking for a translation of the Bible into the kind of English that we speak in the Twenty-first Century, there are some excellent options. The New King James is a translation that preserves much of the feel of the KJV, but updates some of the archaic language. The New American Standard Bible is translation that has much to offer from a technical viewpoint.  It is my favorite translation. Likewise the English Standard Version.  This translation is favored by many preachers and teachers I admire. The New International, has been the most popular of the modern English Translations.  Unfortunately, some of the revisions of the NIV in the past couple of decades may have been influenced by political correctness as much as a desire for accuracy.  I am confident about recommending the "original," 1984, NIV.  I'll let others comment on the revisions. My wife really likes the New Living Translation. I often use it when I am going to be reading a large chunk of the Bible.  It is very conversational.  Most of the text of my message,God's Story in His Own Words, is taken from the NLT. You can find technical reviews of various Bible translations elsewhere. This is just a word from a friend. It's STTA.   Here is a link to a message I've been privileged to share several times that uses only the words of Scripture to share God's Story, in His Own Words.   About the Quiz:  I think these links will clear things up.  "do you to wit," "Keeper of the carriage" "fetch a compass" "shall not prevent them which are asleep" "meat offering"  According to Matthew Henry, "Meat was, and still is [in his day], properly given to any kind of provision,