Preferred Translation of the Bible

[Saint]

hey wow, lots of intresting issues here, eh?

so i don't know if anyone listed the version i use? the NAS, New American Standard. it is a good one that stays real close to the orgianal meanings. As for knowing Greek and Hebrew. i would say that is good, but i hope all our Pastors or Chruch leaders give us info on that. i know that most theology schools will require you to learn the language so hopefully they can teach us some points on it... i mean they should right? thats there postion as a church leader.

anywho, lots mentioned the NIV. i like that too, it has so many cross refrences that you can do your own studies just looking at what verse is related to what other verse and so on.

heres a link for everyone. i don't know about the teaching if there is any, but its a great site that offers a great FREE, bible program. and you can download a ton of different bible versions, devotions, study aids and some christian liteture. (like Foxe's, i read you guys talking about that.) any way its free and you download whatever you like. i give the site 5 stars. yea!! http://www.e-sword.net

[Technomancer]

Cool site, wish I knew Latin. Also, I just wanted people to know that if I've been coming on strong here or elsewhere, it's nothing personal. I'm usually argumentative by nature (comes from having four other siblings, plus the sort of educational life that I've had)

[andyroo]

Well, I've already got some digital bible software. It's funny how the names are similar to each other. Mine is called The Sword Project. The thing that I like most about is that it is open scource so there are alot of people from all over the world coming togethor and contributing in some way on the software and compnents. The interfaces do seem similar to another though. I guess checking both out would be good idea. The thing that my software package doesn't include support for, and that's for maps.

http://www.crosswire.org/

[shooraijin]

> sort of educational life that I've had

What do you study?

[Technomancer]

Currently I'm nearing the end of a Master's of Engineering (in Electrical Engineering). I also studied electrical engineering at the undergraduate level, and received my bachelor's. However, I took an option in the degree (called Engineering and Society), which allowed me to take a minor (Science, Technology, and Public Policy),as well as pick up a few courses from the department of Geology. Generally, this means I've had to be able to research an idea, write it up/present it and defend it in discussion/debate. I've also been a TA for these sort of courses.

[shooraijin]

> Currently I'm nearing the end of a Master's of Engineering (in Electrical Engineering).

Yow, omedetoo gozaimasu ne! Where do you go after this? Any particular plans?

My eventual goal is after I've done a good few years as an MD and paid off my (astronomical) med school debt, is to go back and get my PhD in linguistics, which was really my first love. This kind of thing may explain where my free time goes.

[EireWolf]

Originally posted by MillyFan
KJV Only person who thinks the NIV is satanic

*in a sweet little old lady voice*

"The King James Version was good enough for Jesus, so it's good enough for me!"

[EireWolf]

Originally posted by Gypsy

Myself, I love the New Living Translation, for many reasons.

Same here. I grew up on the NIV, and I have nothing against it. But when I read the NLT, I feel like I'm reading the Bible anew, and I can pick up meanings from it that I'd overlooked before. It also speaks more directly to me, it seems, as it's written more in the style of common speech.

[Mithrandir]

I think I'll learn greek after I learn Japanese. (I get to learn japanese this fall). Then I can read the bible in a descent 'translation.' I had a small group that met for a while and one of the guys there read/spoke fairly fluent greek. He had the bible on his laptop and could instantly tell us what a passage REALLY said. He's my new role-model. Until then, well, call me nastalgic, but I'm gonna have to say the NIV. My reason being that (due to quizzing days as a teen) for 'such a time as needed' I can quote certain passages, and they always come out in NIV.

[sskg0tt0]

new king james verion here.ryrie study bible actualy
i have a copy of strong's concordance also,but i dont use it as much as id like.
i tried the NIV,but it just wasnt for me.
some love it ,some hate it,but hey,what ever gets the word out right?

[express]

Whoo! My eyes are strained. I've been trying to read this whole thread (late at night), not to mention the links/sections warning people of the NIV. As for myself, I'm a new believer, and as for the first book I'm starting out with, it's the NKJV. But, I have other versions on CD-Rom.

I really don't know what to say about the guy's comments (the KJV defender). To me, his arguments are very convincing. I'm for accurate translation and not interpretation, so it might be that I side with him more. But, just as in any other debate, you have to hear both sides. But most importantly, as believers we have to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, especially as we read the Word.

We all want to know the Word of God We all have to watch out against deception. The Anti-christ will decieve the world, and more likely pervert the Word, just as Satan did while tempting Jesus in the wilderness. I just pray that the Holy Spirit will guide all of us in our study of the Scriptures.

[Technomancer]

I supppose there's that. The again, I wouldn't use a bible without the impratur *shrug*.


shooraijin: Well, an MD's no cakewalk either. For myself though, my plans aren't definative yet. Hopefully, I can get a job once the recruiters start looking again (won't be till September though). For preference though, I'd like to go back to work for Defence Research Establishment Atlantic, partly because the work is awesome, and partly because I love Halifax. If the economy goes into the crapper, I'll have to consider another degree. Either in geophysics, or a Ph.D in Elec Eng. If you're curious about what I do there's more in the links forum.

[shooraijin]

> Well, an MD's no cakewalk either.

Graduating from med school was the easy part -- now comes residency *shiver*. The maw of Eternal, I mean, Internal Medicine awaits.

[Technomancer]

Good luck man. While we're still off topic what was your speciality in linguistics?

[shooraijin]

> While we're still off topic what was your speciality in linguistics?

Nothing officially declared, but I did a lot with syntax and grammar. It's so fascinating and very visually stimulating when you think of how complex a structure a sentence can be analysed as.

"FORM DET AND N!
FORM V AND NP!
AND I'LL FORM ... THE S!" -- apologies to Voltron

Anyway, I'd like to pick up with that when I go back. There should be some intriguing advances by then (especially since the irrepressible Noam Chomsky will probably not be around anymore ).

[Technomancer]

I have no idea what that means (well, NP and DET mean something to me, but I'm pretty sure it's not what you're talking about). I always found the historical aspects to be more interesting, never took any formal instruction though. How are Chomsky's linguistic ideas received out of curiosity? I'm really only familiar with his politics (arrg! I had to miss his talk when he came to my campus this past spring ). Dang it! I'll have to see about getting some of his books from the library (once I've finished all the stuff that I've already take out)

[shooraijin]

Det = Determiner (like 'the', 'a', 'an') -- some have posited the existence of a DetP "determiner phrase" although I'm 99.9% sure English has no such construct.

N = noun, V = verb, S = sentence

NP = noun phrase

> How are Chomsky's linguistic ideas received out of curiosity? I'm really only familiar with his politics

Heh incidentally, "Government and Binding" is actually a grammar book, not a politics book (despite the title), if you run across it.

I guess his grammar concepts are moderately well-accepted, or at least enough to be taught as foundation in most syntax courses. On the other hand, they still teach the phrase structure-based grammar concept as well, which has been widely supplanted by his later X-bar theory. (The concept in short says that every grammatical atom "X", like N, V, Det, Adj, etc., has (sometimes multiple) corresponding X| "X-bar" nodes above it to which additional phrases "modifiers" may attach, and an XP "X-phrase" above that which is in turn attached to some other X-bar or may carry its own tag "specifier". The idea is to involve as few gyrations of syntax tree formation to jump from one form of related sentence structure to another, like, say, turning a statement into a question, or active sentences into passive sentences, and so on. This site has a really good explanation: http://users.info.unicaen.fr/~tlebarbe/Linguistics_Lexicon/ll_x.html.)

In any case, his transformational grammar ideas, of which X-bar is one, have been generally well-received, although virtually everyone in the linguistic community has an opinion or two about him personally and that mostly has to do with, well, his political stance.

I see eyes glazing over from the remainder of the audience, so I'll leave one more URL:
http://www.hfac.uh.edu/COGSCI/lang/focus1.html#hierarchy

[uc pseudonym]

Now that their banter is (hopefully) done, I'll make an effort to return to the topic again. Unfortunately, I really have little to say...

What do you guys think of study bibles? You know, the ones with the cross referancing and many notes at the bottom? Personally, I find the cross referances very helpful. The notes can be that way, but sometimes I think they take some... liberties.

[Technomancer]

For the most part, such notes or marginalia are a good idea. Though you are right that it depends on the opinions of said writers. I suppose you'd have to dig up info on the nature of the notes (the same, I suppose with any work on theology).

[andyroo]

I like those. They can be very useful. I have one for the KJV and the NIV (rainbow). It helps alot in the old testament for me.

[Linksquest]

I am currently searching for a new translation of the bible besides the one i already have (KJV). After looking around i think i sort of like the New Living Translation (NLT). Our pastor actually uses it in the sermons... so... yea...

[Arnobius]

I prefer the NAB (New American Bible), both because it is accurate and I like how the text flows.

[Joshua Christopher]

1611 King James Version for me. Personally, I think it's the only accurate English one, but that's just my opinion, not trying to flame anyone at all.

[ChristianKitsune]

I like NIV best...it is simple...

I also like to read the message! It is so nifty! ^^

Isn't there a bible out there that kinda changes genders? I want to say it is the New Century Version... it says that God can be a woman? I heard Focus on The Family talk about it a couple years ago..

[Arnobius]

I like NIV best...it is simple...

I also like to read the message! It is so nifty! ^^

Isn't there a bible out there that kinda changes genders? I want to say it is the New Century Version... it says that God can be a woman? I heard Focus on The Family talk about it a couple years ago..

I seem to recall some versions changed from gender language to gender neutral language. I think the NRSV was one of them, so my denomination refused to allow it for Mass. I don't know if this was corrected or not.

[GhostontheNet]

Probably the English Standard Version and Ferrar Fenton's The Holy Bible in Modern English (though I despise the publisher of the latter, perhaps I should simply place an independent online version since its in the public domain by now).

[Michael]

I use the ESV too. It's a very good translation.

[Slater]

1611 King James Version for me. Personally, I think it's the only accurate English one, but that's just my opinion, not trying to flame anyone at all.

[SonicRose]

I used to use the NIV because of the easy language in it, But my preference has shifted to the King James Bible, it may be a bit hard to understand in places, but I enjoy Learning about the Lord. :3

[Stephen]

We just had a thread locked because of the whole Bible verson vs Bible debate. So within 24 hours, another one is bumped? Locked.