ESV Receptivity

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TomVols:


I had not heard of any who were going to immediately begin using it, other than a few pastor friends of mine. Very interesting. I'll be interested to see if Southern goes from the NASB to the ESV.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, that will be interesting as Mohler was on the advisory board.

However, I am unaware of any SBC seminar having an "official" translation. At SEBTS where I am, people use the NASB, NKJV and NIV.

Does SBTS officially use the NASB?

 

From Crossway:
"Crossway Bibles won't be publishing an edition with the Apocrypha, but HarperCollins UK probably will. You may want to check with them for more information..."

 

This may sound like a very ****** questions to most of you, but here goes: Where does the ESV Bible come from? Why is it supposedly different from the NIV if it uses much of the same manuscripts? What IS so different about this Bible? Is there a place to find part of a manuscript of this Bible or maybe a preliminary book itself? The reason I ask the last question--if all of these people are giving it such high ratings--where did they obtain their copy to review? Just curious, I would like to review parts too if they are available.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Phillip:
This may sound like a very ****** questions to most of you, but here goes: Where does the ESV Bible come from? Why is it supposedly different from the NIV if it uses much of the same manuscripts? What IS so different about this Bible? Is there a place to find part of a manuscript of this Bible or maybe a preliminary book itself? The reason I ask the last question--if all of these people are giving it such high ratings--where did they obtain their copy to review? Just curious, I would like to review parts too if they are available.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Phillip:

The following can be found at the

The ESV Website

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> The English Standard Version (ESV) stands in the classic mainstream of English Bible translations over the past half-millennium. The fountainhead of that stream was William Tyndale's New Testament of 1526; marking its course were the King James Version of 1611 (KJV), the English Revised Version of 1885 (RV), the American Standard Version of 1901 (ASV), and the Revised Standard Version of 1952 and 1971 (RSV). In that stream, faithfulness to the text and vigorous pursuit of accuracy were combined with simplicity, beauty, and dignity of expression. Our goal has been to carry forward this legacy for a new century.

To this end each word and phrase in the ESV has been carefully weighed against the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, to ensure the fullest accuracy and clarity and to avoid under-translating or overlooking any nuance of the original text. The words and phrases themselves grow out of the Tyndale-King James legacy, and most recently out of the RSV, with the 1971 RSV text providing the starting point for our work. Archaic language has been brought to current usage and significant corrections have been made in the translation of key texts. But throughout, our goal has been to retain the depth of meaning and enduring language that have made their indelible mark on the English-speaking world and have defined the life and doctrine of the church over the last four centuries.

The ESV is an "essentially literal" translation that seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. As such, its emphasis is on "word-for-word" correspondence, at the same time taking into account differences of grammar, syntax, and idiom between current literary English and the original languages. Thus it seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and meaning of the original.

In contrast to the ESV, some Bible versions [NIV] have followed a "thought-for-thought" rather than "word-for-word" translation philosophy, emphasizing "dynamic equivalence" rather than the "essentially literal" meaning of the original. A "thought-for-thought" translation is of necessity more inclined to reflect the interpretive opinions of the translator and the influences of contemporary culture.

Every translation is at many points a trade-off between literal precision and read-ability, between "formal equivalence" in expression and "functional equivalence" in communication, and the ESV is no exception. Within this framework we have sought to be "as literal as possible" while maintaining clarity of expression and literary excellence. Therefore, to the extent that plain English permits and the meaning in each case allows, we have sought to use the same English word for important recurring words in the original; and, as far as grammar and syntax allow, we have rendered Old Testament passages cited in the New in ways that show their correspondence. Thus in each of these areas, as well as throughout the Bible as a whole, we have sought to capture the echoes and overtones of meaning that are so abundantly present in the original texts. As an essentially literal translation, then, the ESV seeks to carry over every possible nuance of meaning in the original words of Scripture into our own language. As such, it is ideally suited for in-depth study of the Bible. Indeed, with its emphasis on literary excellence, the ESV is equally suited for public reading and preaching, for private reading and reflection, for both academic and devotional study, and for Scripture memorization.

The ESV also carries forward classic translation principles in its literary style. Accordingly it retains theological terminology--words such as grace, faith, justification, sanctification, redemption, regeneration, reconciliation, propitiation--because of their central importance for Christian doctrine and also because the underlying Greek words were already becoming key words and technical terms in New Testament times.

The ESV lets the stylistic variety of the biblical writers fully express itself--from the exalted prose that opens Genesis, to the flowing narratives of the historical books, to the rich metaphors and dramatic imagery of the poetic books, to the ringing rhetorical indictments in the prophetic books, to the smooth elegance of Luke, to the profound simplicities of John, and the closely-reasoned logic of Paul. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Thank you for the information Chris. It appears that, if nothing else, they do have a good marketing department. I did find their website last night and printed some of the text. Is this the same company that came out with the "Good News for Modern Man" New Testament back in the 60's or so?

It does sound like an interesting translation. I will no doubt buy one and read a lot of it, but I do this with all the major translations and it will be one of my collection, probably not the Bible I carry to church on Sunday, but you never know. We'll see if it lives up to its company's description.

I go to a small SBC and our pastor is not a KJVO, but he does use the KJV when he reads from the pulpit because a lot of our congregation consists of older people. I notice when he explains a verse that is difficult to understand in the old English, he will often use wording from a newer translation like the NIV. The interesting thing is that he was totally unaware of the ESV and his first comment was, I don't think we need another translation. I gave him printouts of the above text and the Bible test itself. I'll let you know Wednesday night what he thinks about it. I know he will visit their website between now and then.

 

My hardcover copy arrived by UPS today!
Would be interested in your views of the CD that came with it.

Sample:
Romans 12:1-9 (ESV)
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
[3] For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. [4] For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, [5] so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. [6] Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; [7] if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; [8] the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
[9] Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Chris Temple:


Yes, that will be interesting as Mohler was on the advisory board.

However, I am unaware of any SBC seminar having an "official" translation. At SEBTS where I am, people use the NASB, NKJV and NIV.

Does SBTS officially use the NASB?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am a member of an SB Church in the SBC. As far as I know we do not have a standard from the SBC on record. In the churches it appears that the more of our liberals tend to use the NIV, while the more conservatives use the KJV or possibly the NASB as a close second. Our church has a lot of older people and therefore our pastor uses the KJV to read from (since he does a LOT of scripture reading and discussing from the pulpit), but he will also use the NIV as a comparison when he studies and sometimes use a term out of the NIV to clarify the KJV if it is a difficult sentence (in my opinion, a lot of Paul's letters are sometimes a little difficult in the KJV if you are not used to it.) But, he won't necessarily make a big deal about it. He will just say something like "another word for this might be ________"
As far as the ESV--he feels there are enough translations on the market today anyway. I have not heard any official positions on the ESV from the SBC. They tend to steer pretty clear of endorsing any version. That does NOT mean that many won't use it.
As for me, I grew up with the KJV in one hand and the NASB in the other hand, making comparisons as I both read and listen to my pastor. I have read a lot in the NIV, but for some reason I just can't get used to its style of language, but I must admit it is easy to understand. The kids use it a lot in their studies.
SBC sunday school books usually have both the KJV and NIV printed next to each other when they quote scripture in a lesson.

[ October 03, 2001: Message edited by: Phillip ]

 

Oh and to add to that, the NKJV has not even shown up in any of the churches I have visited. I seem to have the only copy in town. I don't think our pastor even has a copy.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jude:
My hardcover copy arrived by UPS today!
Would be interested in your views of the CD that came with it. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Got my copy today. I love the translation and format. (A study version comes out in one year).

The software will take some getting used to. Its part of the WORD Search program, which I am unfamiliar with. It is not as user-friendly as the Online Bible Software, or even Logos. But I had trouble with Logos when I first got it, so the WORD Search program will probably just take some repetitive use. I don't like the 3-part verse search, rather than merely typing in "Gal 1.6" like you do in the OLB or Logos. I do like the way verses are automatically highlighted one-by-one. Overall, I give the software a B, but that might improve as I do

 

Oh well, guess my "lording it over you" days are over. Far too short in my opinion!

 

ESV's are now on sale in the local Christian bookstore...I've found them, on sale, for $16.97! (plus the CD). I'd suggest that those of us who realize the importance of this translation to promote the 'Word' to everyone. I predict that the ESV will be the #1 translation in America in 2-5 years.

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jude:
ESV's are now on sale in the local Christian bookstore...I've found them, on sale, for $16.97! (plus the CD). I'd suggest that those of us who realize the importance of this translation to promote the 'Word' to everyone. I predict that the ESV will be the #1 translation in America in 2-5 years.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree The interesting thing is, the ESV is 80-85% the 1971 RSV updated and corrected.

 

Sincere question for those who prefer the ESV:

In your opinion, what are its strengths as compared to other literal contemporary translations, in particular the NASB and/or NKJV?

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Marathon Man:
Sincere question for those who prefer the ESV:

In your opinion, what are its strengths as compared to other literal contemporary translations, in particular the NASB and/or NKJV?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

MM:

IMO, its accuracy far surpasses the NIV. It retains classic Biblical terminology like propitiation, Lord of Hosts, etc. It is also more literary than the NASB; it flows more smoothly and more beautifully. Its a better study Bible than the NIV and a better public reading Bible than the NASB. It is clearer in rendering than the NKJV.

 

Thanks Chris.

I will check it out. While I don't know that I'll be replacing my NASB, I would love to see a more literal translation challenge the popularity of the NIV. No offense to NIV enthusiasts, but it's a bit too loose and interpretive for my taste.

 

There are an unbelievable number of "Versions" out there now. Man never stops trying to make God's word better. Another one is going to make God's Word so much clearer?

It must be fun in churches where so many versions and perversions are used to see people, children and adults, trying to memorize scripture......to hide God's word in their hearts. That is the tragedy of this debacle.

The Bible does not need to be re-written....it needs to be re-read.

Get back to the pure, perfect word...the KJV.

 

Alex Mullins said:

It must be fun in churches where so many versions and perversions are used to see people, children and adults, trying to memorize scripture......to hide God's word in their hearts. That is the tragedy of this debacle.

I was unaware that someone else owning a different Bible version from me, could somehow thwart me from memorizing mine. How is this amazing feat accomplished?

 

Jude said:

I predict that the ESV will be the #1 translation in America in 2-5 years.

Think so? I regard the proliferation of Bible versions as something like the proliferation of software and frequent upgrades: it's nice that they're available, but it takes more than the promise of the "new and improved" to persuade me to make the change. Does making the upgrade provide me with an improvement I actually need? Or, if I am in a church where the pastor preaches effectively from an NIV and I am satisfied with my personal study from the NASB, is the ESV not simply change for the sake of change?