The Best Bible Translation

Which Bible translation should you read?

As English speakers we are very fortunate to have so many translations of the Bible available to us.  And that in itself raises the question, which translation of the Bible should I use?

Firstly I would suggest almost any Bible!  All of the main translations are good translations of the Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic texts.  But, Bible translators have to broadly follow a translation philosophy.  In simple terms this means ranging from a word-for-word translation to a paraphrase.  Each has it's advantages and disadvantages.  The table below shows where the main translations fall on this scale.

Word for word translations are typically harder to read, partly because they try to preserve the word order as far as possible, and translate every word in the original languages.  That's useful for academic study but can produce language that just isn't normal English.  Take Matthew 5:2 as an example.  The English Standard Version (ESV) renders this, "And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying".  This is not something any of us would actually say.  Both the New International Version (NIV) and the New Living Translation (NLT) phrase it much better, "and he began to teach them".  

Proponents of word for word translations would argue that the NIV and NLT have dropped words - they argue that as these words were inspired by God, they should be translated.  I would suggest that what needs to be translated is the message, the ideas in the original text.  So I have no problem with "and he began to teach them" as to me that does translate the Bible accurately.  

Then we have idioms to deal with.  Take Amos 4:6 which the ESV renders, "I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities".  Was God advocating an Israelite dental hygiene programme?  No, the idiom refers to having nothing to eat.  So the NIV translates it, "I gave you empty stomachs in every city", and the NLT says "I brought hunger to every city".  Which is a better translation?  The word for word, or thought for thought?

How about this ESV translation of Psalm 147:10 - "His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man".  Should this make a gay man blush?!  The NIV says, "in the legs of the warrior" to clarify the idiom.  It's about human strength, not actual men's legs.

Then there is the issue of gender.  Often literal translations use a lot of male gendered language, which isn't a bad translation - but they criticise others for using more inclusive language.  The most common example is the Greek "brothers" used of Christians collectively.  A lot of new translations use "brothers and sisters" since the original term does apply to women too.  Again to my mind that is accurate translation.  To claim a more literal translation is more accurate seems to me to be splitting hairs.  If the Greek means all the people, men and women, then "brothers and sisters" is more accurate in English today.

The ESV, NIV and NLT are all excellent translations of the Bible, they take differing approaches on how to translate but that doesn't make one less accurate than the other.  My approach is to use the NIV for my day to day reading, consult the ESV when studying, and use the NLT as a casual reader, and sometimes for day to day reading.

I would wrong to not re-state this here, avoid the New World Translation (see other posts on this for why). It's biased against Jesus' divinity, and phrases things in such a way as to support Watchtower teaching.

Images: Google Images

Is Jesus the Almighty God?

Image: Google Images

While I was online today, I saw a comment which noted that the Bible never says Jesus is the Almighty God. This position would be supported by Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims and others. But is this true?

No. A short Bible study in the Book of Revelation is very revealing. 

Let's start with Revelation 1:8 (ESV) which says, "I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." So here we have "the Almighty" call himself "the Alpha and the Omega". Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, which was the language the New Testament was written in. It's akin to saying "I am the A to Z". 

This is not controversial, God, the Almighty claims the title, "Alpha and Omega". However, this title is used 3 times in the Bible, all in the Book of Revelation. So can we gain any more information? Turn to Revelation 22:13-16 (ESV) which says:

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches."

Did you notice? The Alpha and Omega identifies himself as Jesus! Only this time, Jesus is not claiming to only be Alpha and Omega, but also the first and the last. This is also a phrase that comes up three times in the Book of Revelation - interesting in a book that is big on symbolism! Can we get any more clarity? 

In Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV) we read, "But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not,I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore". So now we can be even clearer - the first and last died, and is now alive forevermore. This same point is also emphasised in Revelation 2:8 (ESV).

So, who is the Alpha and Omega? The first and the last, who died and rose again, Jesus Christ - the Almighty Lord God according to Revelation 1:8 (ESV).

Father's Love Letter

My Child…

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Psalm 139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2) I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3) Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-31) For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27) 

In me you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:28) For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) I chose you when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12) You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16) I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26) You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) I knit you together in your mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6) 

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. (John 8:41-44) I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16) And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. (1 John 3:1) Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. (1 John 3:1) I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11) For I am the perfect Father. (Matthew 5:48) Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. (James 1:17) For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33) 

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalms 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5) I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41) And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3) 

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29) Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) For it is I who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17) I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18) As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11) One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. (Revelation 21:3-4) And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:3-4) 

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. (John 17:23) For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26) He is the exact representation of my being. (Hebrews 1:3) He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Romans 8:31) And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. (1 John 4:10) I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31-32) 

If you receive the gift of my son, Jesus, you receive me. (1 John 2:23) And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. (Romans 8:38-39) Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7) 

I have always been Father and will always be Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15) My question is…will you be my child? (John 1:12-13) I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32)

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

Text: http://www.fathersloveletter.com
Image: Google Images

King James Only

I have previously written about choosing a Bible translation but I've been seeing a lot on certain sites lately advocating the King James Bible only position.  This is the view that only the King James Version of the Bible is correct, and (usually) that it is literally the inspired word of God. 

Those of you familiar with my work know I use the New Living Translation for my own day to day reading, and the English Standard Version for study. Obviously I don't agree with the KJV Only view.

Essentially the notion is that God has preserved his word in the Majority Text (the texts translated into English that became the KJV).  They point out that in other Bibles (usually the NIV is the target!) there are missing verses, or verses are translated in a different way to the KJV.

I have a couple of problems with the KJV Only view which I will pose as questions.

1. Given that the KJV was published in 1611, which version of the Bible was right in 1610?
2. The KJV has been revised several times, is only the 1611 edition inspired?
3. Do you believe that the translators of the KJV were inspired by God?  If so, why not other translators?
4. What Bible should a German speaker use?
5. If you point out that a verse is missing or translated differently, you are setting the KJV as the standard.  How different would that be if I used the NLT as the standard and accused the KJV of adding or mistranslating verses?

Perhaps from this you can see why I disagree with the KJV Only.  Perhaps the best thing to suggest in terms of which Bible translation you should use is the old adage - the one you will read!  

Image: Google Images

Book Review - God and the Gay Christian

I've done one book review before, but after reading this book, I just had to write another!

Matthew Vines has written what I think is the best book so far on what the Bible says about same-sex relationships. Matthew covers everything from where the traditional "non-affirming" view comes from through to examining what the Bible does say. 

For me this book is significant because it's written by someone who is an Evangelical Christian holding to the authority of the Bible.  Often people resort to trying to dismiss what the Bible says rather than seeking a full understanding of it - which is what Matthew has achieved.

One of my favourite chapters looks at the issue of mandatory celibacy for gay and lesbian people, and at how this conflicts with both Biblical teaching on celibacy and how the Church has understood celibacy.  That alone undermines the arguments against same sex relationships.  

"God and the Gay Christian" is very well researched, and the arguments are sound, one other thing I like is that Matthew gives his work a personal touch by telling how he and his family have been on a journey to better understand the Bible on this issue.  

I cannot say I have found anything I would disagree with in this book, and it's much more detailed and better argued than anything I have written so far!  My only criticism is that Matthew refers to John Boswell's work, which as I understand it has been undermined by scholars.  However, even ignoring that, this book builds a solid case in support of same-sex relationships.

If you are looking for a sound, Biblical study on what the Bible says about same-sex relationships - this is it! 

For someone who thinks the Bible condemns same-sex relationships, I would encourage you to read this book prayerfully and with an open mind.

Image: Google Images

Charismatic Christianity

Being open to the Holy Spirit
 is a vital part of being a Christian

I used to identify simply as an Evangelical Christian, but these days I am adding Charismatic to that description.  What does it mean to be Charismatic?

The Charismatic Movement goes back to Easter 1960 when an Episcopal priest related his Pentecostal experience to his congregation.  From there the movement exploded and is now a worldwide phenomenon. 

Charismatics believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today as well.  This comes from the Bible:

"A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have." (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

There was a time when I believed that these gifts had ceased - mainly because I never saw them in the Churches I grew up in.  But I realised that this was the common experience of Christians in the first century. When I came back to Church after reconciling my faith and sexuality, I attended a Church which did believe the gifts were active today.  There I was able to meet people who had experienced the Holy Spirit directly.

In time I experienced this as well.

So, how are Charismatics different to Pentecostals?  The main difference is denomination.  Pentecostal Churches trace their history to the early 20th century whereas the Charismatic Renewal saw Charismatics remaining in their own Churches.  So a Charismatic Christian may be a Baptist, a Methodist, Roman Catholic, or an MCCer.  We share similar beliefs on the Holy Spirit, but retain our Christian traditions.  

Now that Easter is passed, we come to Pentecost in a few weeks.  Why not take time out to seek the Holy Spirit in your life?

Image: Google Images

Happy Easter!

Christ is risen - he is risen indeed!

Because Jesus rose from the dead we can have new life in Christ.  That means a fresh start with God, hope for the future, and eternal life with God.

If you would like that new start with Jesus, or if you would like to find out more - please click on the link above on becoming a Christian.