Bible Translation Review

I like Rick Mansfield's blog, This Lamp. He has a pretty good review of the different English Bible Translations that I appreciate. He is a refreshing voice in the more and more frequently popularized and stylized voice of Evangelical Christianity in North America.

Here is the blog:  This Lamp

Note: the NIV is not in Rick Mansfield's list. He does mention the ESV but with some criticism. Most interesting!

I personally have felt, the ESV was simply a reworking of the RSV, sometimes without much imagination, so that it would be acceptable to Evangelical thought, such as changing "young woman" to say "virgin" in Isaiah 7:14. Don't get me wrong - I've always liked the RSV and the ESV has modernized the language for this classic translation.

Agree with Rick's assessment on the NASB - this was the Bible that I used in Bible College as a textbook and the translation from which I did most of my Scripture memorization.

Personally, I have grown more fond of the New Revised Standard Version recently. Here again, it was largely written off as a liberal translation by many independent Evangelical churches. Maybe it is for that very same reason (not because of it), that I find it to be a more objective translation of the Scriptures. There was a Presbyterian church in our neighborhood in Seattle that we used to attend now and then because I loved the old pipe organ and the stained glass windows. The preacher there preached out of the NRSV and I really liked how it read oratorically from the pulpit.

I just haven't taken to the HCSB, though I've tried - read it through completely even, but I do respect Rick's review and it opens my mind to want to look at this version again.

Oh, another translation that I have re-discovered with great appreciation lately is J.B. Phillips translation of the New Testament. Sometimes it is just good to get a fresh perspective on the ageless Words of God!

I also wonder that Rick doesn't mention the NKJV, although he lists the KJV. Anyone have thoughts about this version? I'm not talking about the arguments of which original text to use - I've read all the for and against arguments on that issue - I'm curious more about the accuracy of the translation as well as its ability to speak into people's lives in a devotional way.

Thank you Mom and Dad

My parents were so MEAN to me! They made me do chores, go to school. They gave me a curfew, told to me to get a job to work for the things I wanted. They asked me if I was doing my best at school and my job and taught me to take pride in my work. I grew up with morals, a good work ethic, a strong faith in God, and respect for the law. I thank God everyday for my MEAN parents! LOVE YOU MOM & DAD! THANK YOU!

(This was posted by another friend on facebook and I copied and pasted it.  It is not original with me, but whoever came up with it - I love it! )