I saw a video about a church that’s planning a book burning event on Halloween. The list of books to be burned include all bible translations that aren’t King James Version because that church believes that the King James Version (KJV) should be the only Bible that English speaking Christians should use and all other Bibles are heretical. Now, I don’t agree with that. I prefer some translations over others, but I’m not about to claim that certain translations are heretical and that readers of that translation are heretics.
I mostly use the New International Version (NIV). So does my church.
My question is this: Which translation do you personally use/prefer? Your church?
and
Why?
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I'm a New Living Translation kinda guy. Primarily cuz my wife bought it for me for my birthday and it's a life application Bible, which does its best explaining each verse.
Our church uses the NIV also and I have one of those and if it happens to be the one laying there when I read, I read it.
I like The Message also, but the book burners would probably hang me for that one.
I firmly believe God is more concerned what you're pulling into your heart from His Word and what you're doing with it rather than which translation you're pulling in.
Just my 2cents.
I'm a fan of the Life Application bible, too.
Oh wow! I heard about this too! I couldn’t believe some of the other books they are burning too- a few of my favorite Christian authors!
I use the NIV mostly- honestly, the main reason I like it so much is because it was the first translation I was exposed to the most and it stuck. Working in ministry for a number of years I have used and read a number of other translations but always tend to go back to the NIV for my personal (and mostly used) bible.
I agree that it’s more about how you can personally apply the scriptures than what translation you are reading. I think the bible can be confusing and think it’s great that there are slightly different translations that allow different people to understand and connect with the verses.
I, too, was first exposed to the NIV and it was the translation that my parents bought me my first bible in, it was an NIV Life Application Study Bible. Since then, that's been the translation I've read from primarily. Although, for certain things, having things like parallel bibles or sources like Bible Gateway that allows you to read a section in different translations allows for a better understanding of the passage.
My church also (haha same church as you, my dear friend) uses the NIV, which is the version I use when studying or teaching. However, in my personal devotion times I really like the NKJV; there is just something in the translation that feels more direct, less 'softened' and somehow I feel like I cannot possibly simplify it – I like the 'in my face' way the Lord speaks to me through it. (For, not only do I dish it straight, I prefer to receive it that way, too :] )
One of the things that bugs me about the King James only philosophy is that on original copies of the KJV, there was a note from the translators saying basically, "We tried our best, but there's probably a few errors. Hopefully future translations will do a better job."