Which Translation Should I Use?

1. Which Translation Should I Use? There are many versions of the Bible available for us. Which should I buy, use and study?

2. Introduction • Inspiration • Later we will study the “how” of the inspiration • We must begin with the idea that the Bible is not the product of man • The Bible came from God • If NOT – then translation is not critical or even an important issue

3. Introduction • Inspiration • Canonization • We must know that the books in the Bible belong there. • We must know that manuscripts that have been rejected should not be included. • We have the Word of God

4. Introduction • Inspiration • Canonization • Transmission • The originals were hand copied • They were distributed to other churches • Copies of copies were made

5. Introduction

6. Introduction • Inspiration • Canonization • Transmission • Translation • To spread the Word of God to the world it must be translated • Not just copied but accurately translated into other languages

7. Why are there so many? • Language is in constant flux and change • Here is 2 Peter 2:10-11 from 1611.

8. Why are there so many? • Language is in constant flux and change • Words change meaning • Grass – your lawn / illegal drug • Cool – not hot / slang for swell • Rap – to knock / a poem with a beat • Words from 400 years ago are spelled differently, look different, and have different meanings

9. Why are there so many? • Language is in constant flux and change • Words change meaning • We are still discovering manuscripts and learning the meaning of words and phrases • Propitiation – used to mark a bill when is was paid – “Paid in Full” – The debt is satisfied.

10. Principles for this study • Bible is inspired Word of God • Every word is important – plenary (verbal) inspiration • Original texts – 3 languages • Hebrew – Greek – Aramaic

11. Principles for this study • Bible is inspired Word of God • Every word is important – plenary (verbal) inspiration • Original texts – 3 languages • Written by more than 40 men • Covering a period of about 3,000 years

12. 2 Keys for Translation • Decide WHAT to translate • Which manuscripts, documents • Which are more accurate? • Decide HOW you are going to translate them • How many men – scholars • More on methods of translation later

13. Translation is Complicated • Not just use Greek – English dictionary • Not just read Greek word – write English word • What about shades of meaning? • Idiomatic expressions • Symbolic meanings • Proper names

14. Translation is Complicated Here is a Word for Word translation of Matthew 1:21 GREEK ENGLISH Texetai SHALL-BE-BRINGING-FORTH De YET Uion SON Kai AND Kaleseis SHALL-BE-CALLING To THE Onoma NAME Autou HIM Ihsoun JESUS Autos HE Gar FOR Swsei SHALL-BE-SAVING Ton THE Laon PEOPLE Autou HIM Apo FROM Twn THE Amartiwn SINS Autwn THEM

15. Translation is Complicated • Translation Requires: • A mastery of the source language • Skill and faithfulness in translating • Mastery of the English language • Is this accurate? • Is it readable? Understandable?

16. Translation is Complicated • Translation Philosophy • Formal Equivalence – word for word, literal translation • ASV is an example of this type • Dynamic Equivalence – express the idea, translate the thought • The modern paraphrases are examples of this form • Every version is somewhere in between these extremes

17. King James Version - 1611 • Known as the Authorized Version • The original was in 1611 • The revision we read today is from 1769 – (158 years later) • Translated by 60 scholars • 6 groups – 3 OT; 2 NT; 1 Apocrypha • Used Coverdale, Geneva, Great Bible • Used available Hebrew and Greek manuscripts • 2011 is the 400th anniversary of KJV

18. King James Version - 1611 • Weakness • Inconsistent translation • Abolish – 27 times; 18 different words • 1 Corinthians 6:1, 8, 9 – same word translated by 3 different words • Interchange of Spirit and Ghost • Use of Hell for Hades • Many manuscripts discovered since 1611

19. King James Version - 1611 • Weakness • Inconsistent translation • Many manuscripts discovered since 1611 • English words have changed meaning

20. King James Version - 1611

21. King James Version - 1611 • Weakness • Inconsistent translation • Many manuscripts discovered since 1611 • English words have changed meaning • Some doctrinal errors • Calvinism – Acts 2:47, Hebrews 6:4-8 • Easter – Acts 12:4

22. King James Version - 1611 • Strengths • Over a billion copies • Trusted • Reliable • Accurate • Many helps available – concordances, dictionaries, commentaries, computer programs

23. King James Version - 1611 • Quote from Jackson Sun – Saturday, March 5, 2011 – “After 400 years, KJV Bible still influential” • Dr. Clyde Woods, teacher at Freed-Hardeman University – “The King James Version is not completely accurate in its translation of everything, Woods said. Some of its language is still hard for some to understand, and over time some words change meaning, he said. But from a linguistic / literary standpoint, it is unparalleled in history for its worldwide influence,” he said.

24. King James Version - 1611 • Quote from Jackson Sun – Saturday, March 5, 2011 – “After 400 years, KJV Bible still influential” • Joel Allen, teacher at Union University, “Over time, older, more accurate versions of the New Testament were discovered, and that’s where other translations form their basis, he said.”

25. American Standard Version • There was an English revision done in 1870 • A committee was formed to do the same for America • ASV came out in 1901 • Used many of the newly discovered manuscripts • Updated and revised in1971 and 1995 - NASB

26. American Standard Version • Weakness • Word for word translation made some sentences awkward and difficult to read • More accurate = less readable

27. American Standard Version • Strengths • Formal equivalent method – word for word translation • Very accurate – most accurate of any English translation • Improved the outdated language • Capitalized pronouns in reference to Deity

28. New International Version • Completed in 1978 • Was of the dynamic equivalent type • Not word for word • But interpret the meaning • Communicate the thought or idea

29. New International Version • Weakness • Flesh is translated “sinful nature” – teaching Calvinism’s idea of total depravity • Psalm 51:5 teaches total depravity

30. New International Version • Strengths • Updated archaic terms • There is no other value to this translation NOTE: This version is filled with too many errors in doctrine. It is not recommended as a study Bible.

31. New King James Version • In 1982 Thomas Nelson publisher wanted to update the KJV • Keep the beauty of the KJV • Remove the archaic words and phrases • 119 scholars worked on this translation

32. New King James Version • Weakness • It follows the older manuscripts of the KJV • Does not rely on the abundance of newly discovered manuscripts • More of a revision of the KJV than a new translation

33. New King James Version • Strengths • NKJV keeps the dignity and beauty of the KJV • Did a better job with conjunctions – and, thus, however, and but • Structured poetical sections in poetry verse format • Current – reliable - accurate

34. English Standard Version • Was published in 2001 • Instead of trying to revise a sound translation, they choose to produce a new translation • They wanted it to be more literal • More like the ASV – Formal equivalent • Much less like the NIV – Dynamic equivalent

35. English Standard Version • Weakness • It takes a few years to see if a work is generally accepted • I recommend 15 – 20 years • Wait and see if it will grow in popularity or disappear • Must wait for helps to be published for the ESV - concordance

36. English Standard Version • Strengths • More literal, word for word, like the ASV • More consistent in translating words • Up to date vocabulary

37. Holman Christian Standard • The HCSB was published in 2004 • Was translated by about 80 scholars • All work was overseen by the Southern Baptist Convention • Good – conservative; not liberal • Bad – one denomination can insert their bias and slant on passages

38. Holman Christian Standard • Weakness • It takes a few years to see if a work is generally accepted • I recommend 15 – 20 years • Wait and see if it will grow in popularity or disappear • Must wait for helps to be published for the ESV - concordance

39. Holman Christian Standard • Strengths • Optimal equivalent – half way in between the ASV and NIV • More consistent in translating words • Up to date vocabulary

40. Conclusions • For the first 35 years of my preaching I used the KJV • Over the years I noticed two things • I was doing my own revision • Ghost was Spirit • Thee and Thou became You • I was spending a lot of time in sermons and class explaining archaic terms in the KJV

41. Conclusions • For the first 35 years of my preaching I used the KJV • After a lot of study I changed to the NKJV • Ease of transition from KJV • Accurate • Reliable • Helps available

42. Conclusions • I am not BINDING any translation on you • I have some suggestions • Use a good readable one • Use one done by a broad base of scholarship – not one church or group • Select one that has helps available • Make sure it is accurate, reliable • I suggest – KJV, NKJV, NASB

43. Reaching the world • In our world: • Fewer have high reading skills • Many college graduates do not read on an 8th grade level • The Bible must be able to be read, studied and understood

44. Reaching the world • From the Washington Post • "It's appalling -- it's really astounding," said Michael Gorman, president of the American Library Association and a librarian at California State University at Fresno. "Only 31 percent of college graduates can read a complex book and extrapolate from it. That's not saying much for the remainder."

45. Reaching the world • WE ARE FACING THE “DUMBING DOWN” OF AMERICA. • IF WE REACH WITH WORLD WITH THE WORD OF GOD, IT MUST BE IN A TRANSLATION THAT IS READABLE BY MOST PEOPLE.