I Bought A New Bible Today

[Joshua Rhodes]

I'm not judging the KJV, or any other translation publicly here... that was not the purpose for my posting those links. TC asked for my source, and that's where I got it. As an education student, as well as the son of two public school music teachers, I have seen first hand the decline of school in districts which we lived in. I understand your point, and somewhat agree. May we get back on track!

 

[USMC71]

I'm not judging the KJV, or any other translation publicly here... that was not the purpose for my posting those links. TC asked for my source, and that's where I got it. As an education student, as well as the son of two public school music teachers, I have seen first hand the decline of school in districts which we lived in. I understand your point, and somewhat agree. May we get back on track!

Joshua, I did not think that you were judging it or any others. Let's get back to something more productive.

 

[USMC71]

Did it ever occur to you that the language has changed over the last 400 years? "Dumbing down" would be retrogressing to use the language style of KJ or Shakespeare. At least "The Message" is written in OUR English.

"The Message" is not the Bible, only a paraphrase, no different than Phillips.

 

[USMC71]

Reading a given version doesn't shew oneself approved unto God...it's HOW WE ACT & BELIEVE upon what we've read

I never said that reading a given version made one approved unto God. But, studying and reading another version which challenges our capacity of ignorance, will help us be more approved, the more time studying, the more understanding, the more obedience to its commands. It is that simple.

 

[franklinmonroe]

...Why should the reading level of the Word of God be dumbed down to suit the willing and willful ignorance of a society?

Because society needs the Gospel (presented in a way they can understand).

I agree that American education is in trouble; we should have a higher level of reading. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that will change. Meanwhile, souls are still dying.

 

[PeterM]

One should not even compare The Living Bible or The Message to honest translations. That was not the intent of why they were produced in the first place.

What is interesting is that for many, the Living Bible became a primay source even though it too is a paraphrase.

 

[robycop3]

One should not even compare The Living Bible or The Message to honest translations. That was not the intent of why they were produced in the first place.

What is interesting is that for many, the Living Bible became a primay source even though it too is a paraphrase.

It's better than NO SCRIPTURE AT ALL...but not much.

 

[PeterM]

It's better than NO SCRIPTURE AT ALL...but not much.

Granted...

If there is absolutely nothing else available. But for us in the "Land of Plenty" there are "decent" translations available that rival the readability of both the Message and TLB (I am thinking of the NLT as I write this, and I am sure there are others) and still maintain a measure of accuracy to the MSS (dynamic not literal, of course).

 

[webdog]

If your pastor were to quote Scripture (from the KJV) in a way the congregation could understand, and not word for word...is he quoting the Bible?

 

[genesis12]

I'm preparing a new version myself........

I started last night. It will be ready in the morning. Large print or small? If you want the words of Christ in red I'll have to pull it up in my word processor to make the changes, but I can do that within 4 hours of the order, no extra charge. All Bibles are $19.95, plus $184.73 shipping & handling. You provide your own 3-ring binder. While they last! :type:

 

[StefanM]

I never said that reading a given version made one approved unto God. But, studying and reading another version which challenges our capacity of ignorance, will help us be more approved, the more time studying, the more understanding, the more obedience to its commands. It is that simple.

The problem is that you are equating studying to understand the language of the KJV with studying the scriptures.

Think of this:

If you have someone who has never read a Bible before, which is better?

1) Giving them a Bible that would require them to spend a significant amount of time looking up terms and trying to figure out English grammar...

or...

2) Giving them a Bible that they would be able to read without having to consult an English dictionary every other verse, thereby enabling them to spend more time digesting the concepts of the word


If you want to increase time studying, we could always just give them Greek and Hebrew Bibles. They'd definitely have to spend more time translating.
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[USMC71]

The problem is that you are equating studying to understand the language of the KJV with studying the scriptures.

Think of this:

If you have someone who has never read a Bible before, which is better?

1) Giving them a Bible that would require them to spend a significant amount of time looking up terms and trying to figure out English grammar...

or...

2) Giving them a Bible that they would be able to read without having to consult an English dictionary every other verse, thereby enabling them to spend more time digesting the concepts of the word


If you want to increase time studying, we could always just give them Greek and Hebrew Bibles. They'd definitely have to spend more time translating.
---------------

The more time studying, the more time digesting the concept of the Word and words.. I was given a KJV the day after I was saved, bought a concordance and began to study. Guess what, my knowledge increased. Why? For two reasons, 1. I now have the Holy Spirit. 2. I studied and understood .

 

[robycop3]

The more time studying, the more time digesting the concept of the Word and words.. I was given a KJV the day after I was saved, bought a concordance and began to study. Guess what, my knowledge increased. Why? For two reasons, 1. I now have the Holy Spirit. 2. I studied and understood .

Didja ever consider how much more ya mighta learned had you started with a BV in yer own language style?

 

[USMC71]

Because society needs the Gospel (presented in a way they can understand).

I agree that American education is in trouble; we should have a higher level of reading. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that will change. Meanwhile, souls are still dying.

I agree souls are dying and we need to reach them. I am laboring in Sri Lanka and the only Sinhala translation we have is terrible. Thousands of people are reading Romans 10 and think that all they have to do is "pray" to the Lord to be saved. Why do they think that, because of the translation available.

Just like any book I read, if I do understand a word, I get a dictionary to understand the word, I do not stop recommending that book because the words are more difficult.

Did I have some difficulty when I first read the KJV, yes, did it detour me from continuing it, no. It made me more determined to grow in the knowledge of the Word.

 

[USMC71]

Didja ever consider how much more ya mighta learned had you started with a BV in yer own language style?

Learning takes time, just like anything else, it is not instant, like many other things available today.

 

[franklinmonroe]

I agree souls are dying and we need to reach them. I am laboring in Sri Lanka and the only Sinhala translation we have is terrible. Thousands of people are reading Romans 10 and think that all they have to do is "pray" to the Lord to be saved. Why do they think that, because of the translation available.

May God bless your efforts in Sri Lanka, brother.

 

[USMC71]

May God bless your efforts in Sri Lanka, brother.

We need God's blessing, power and wisdom each day we are here. 55,000 towns and villages, half have never heard of Jesus and as far as I know, only three more missionaries. I appreciate you thoughts and desire for the Lord's blessing on His work here.

 

[Lions84]

You should have spent your money on a NASV 1995 Update. It would have been a better use of your money that that Message garbage. :BangHead:

 

[Keith M]

I don't think I would call The Message "garbage." If it helps one person to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ then it is not "garbage." That said, I personally choose to stay away from the paraphrase versions like The Message.