Bible translations
I was given a new Bible a couple of weeks ago, and I liked that it came with a case; I often find the pages of my Bible folded as a result of being roughed around in my bag. But I've been using an NKJV for a while now. This new Bible's an NLT.
I didn't think it'd be all that different, so in the past week or so, I've busied transferring some notes from my old Bible into the new one. In the course of doing this, however, I've noticed marked differences in some verses, and by the time I was done, I felt unspeakably uncomfortable with the NLT. Perhaps the verses that have come to be so familiar to me just sound so different in a new translation.
Now, I am fully aware that these are but translations, and any bilingual person can tell you that you can try all you like; you will never be able to truly convey all of the intentions of the writer when you translate his words into a different language. Sometimes there are just no words in another language that can serve as a word-for-word translation.
That being said, the NLT openly affirms itself as a thought-for-thought translation. While this seemed fair at first blush, I'm not entirely sure how comfortably I am with the translaters claiming to know the "thoughts" of the original writers of the scriptures. I realise that, to some, this might seem overly paranoid, but in the matter of discerning God's word, I can't help but err on the side of caution.
My NKJV, for example, describes God as a "jealous" God. Because of how it is commonly used in the English language, "jealous" often brings with it a negative connotation. But the Bible cannot be read out of context; not in a single verse, and most certainly, not in a single word. If by "jealous," it means that it hurts God when we turn away from Him, or when we put other things ahead of glorifying Him, then yes, He is a jealous God. The NLT, on the other hand, replaces "jealous" with "passionate." I don't know which is closer to the truth, although I'm certain that God loves me passionately as well; and perhaps the word scares people less than a "jealous" God, but it doesn't bring with it that idea that God wants to be the first and foremost in our lives, at least, not to me.
My brother prefers the NLT, because he says it's easier to understand. Hey, if it makes you want to read the Bible more, then I'm certainly all for it. There are some parts of the NLT that have helped me understand some verses better, but for now, I'm sticking with my NKJV, with the NLT as occasional reference. Perhaps it's time to go pick up Hebrew and Greek; that's the only way, isn't it? ;) In the end, I guess whichever translation we choose, God is the one who leads and speaks.
(If you want to read up more about the NLT, there is a criticism here. And if you have any thoughts that might help my decision-making/changing, I'd love to hear them.)
I didn't think it'd be all that different, so in the past week or so, I've busied transferring some notes from my old Bible into the new one. In the course of doing this, however, I've noticed marked differences in some verses, and by the time I was done, I felt unspeakably uncomfortable with the NLT. Perhaps the verses that have come to be so familiar to me just sound so different in a new translation.
Now, I am fully aware that these are but translations, and any bilingual person can tell you that you can try all you like; you will never be able to truly convey all of the intentions of the writer when you translate his words into a different language. Sometimes there are just no words in another language that can serve as a word-for-word translation.
That being said, the NLT openly affirms itself as a thought-for-thought translation. While this seemed fair at first blush, I'm not entirely sure how comfortably I am with the translaters claiming to know the "thoughts" of the original writers of the scriptures. I realise that, to some, this might seem overly paranoid, but in the matter of discerning God's word, I can't help but err on the side of caution.
My NKJV, for example, describes God as a "jealous" God. Because of how it is commonly used in the English language, "jealous" often brings with it a negative connotation. But the Bible cannot be read out of context; not in a single verse, and most certainly, not in a single word. If by "jealous," it means that it hurts God when we turn away from Him, or when we put other things ahead of glorifying Him, then yes, He is a jealous God. The NLT, on the other hand, replaces "jealous" with "passionate." I don't know which is closer to the truth, although I'm certain that God loves me passionately as well; and perhaps the word scares people less than a "jealous" God, but it doesn't bring with it that idea that God wants to be the first and foremost in our lives, at least, not to me.
My brother prefers the NLT, because he says it's easier to understand. Hey, if it makes you want to read the Bible more, then I'm certainly all for it. There are some parts of the NLT that have helped me understand some verses better, but for now, I'm sticking with my NKJV, with the NLT as occasional reference. Perhaps it's time to go pick up Hebrew and Greek; that's the only way, isn't it? ;) In the end, I guess whichever translation we choose, God is the one who leads and speaks.
(If you want to read up more about the NLT, there is a criticism here. And if you have any thoughts that might help my decision-making/changing, I'd love to hear them.)
posted by Laughingcow at 11:37 pm
3 Comments:
I don't know as I've read from this new version of which you speak, but own several Bibles of different ilks. Mostly I favor the King James, but enjoy checking the others to get different perspectives on particular verses. What is important to remember is: the Book is "just" a book without the Holy Spirit bringing insight into what God is trying to speak to you. In my own opinion, much of the Church has turned the Bible into something akin to a totem. She worships the Word as if the printed page, itself, holds supernatural power. Not so. It takes a humble heart, a bended knee, and a recognition that our humanity is still in the mix as we allow Him to open His truth unto us. In that sense, the "version" matters not....Peace, my friend
... the Book is "just" a book without the Holy Spirit bringing insight into what God is trying to speak to you.
You're absolutely right. :)
Laughingcow, I am enjoying your blog more and more each time I dig deeper.
Regarding bible versions, like you I think that if a person wasn't reading at all and a particular translation helps them open the pages then we are all better for it. However, I still prefer the old KJV but have picked up the NKJV since our church changed to that recently.
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