New version: Modern Evangelical Version (MEV)

[franklinmonroe]

The Modern Evangelical Version is a self-proclaimed "conservative" dynamic equivalent translation.

This MEV New Testament (2013 Xlibris) will be easily confused with the recently released Modern English Version (also MEV!).

The sole translator, Robert Thomas Helm, is a SDA pastor in my area of SW Ohio. He states that he based his work on the UBS 4th Edition. From the Introduction --

However, attention has also been given to variant readings in the Greek manuscripts, and the principles of textual criticism have been carefully employed in attempting to choose the original reading. In cases when the original reading is uncertain or when the chosen reading differs significantly from the reading in the so-called "Texus Receptus," variant readings have been listed in the endnotes. (p.9)​

An interesting feature of this NT is that there are "Study Guide" questions at the end of every book. Despite what seems to me to be somewhat a small typeface used for the main text, it is 802 pages in length (and there is no concordance or index)! I just picked this MEV up at a local used book store. I may make this NT my next read. Perhaps I'll post some things later as I go through it.

 

[Van]

I spent a little time searching for some example verses, but came up empty. How does John 3:16 read. John 1:1-3? Do you have a link to a site with sample verses? Thanks

 

[franklinmonroe]

I spent a little time searching for some example verses, but came up empty. How does John 3:16 read. John 1:1-3? Do you have a link to a site with sample verses? Thanks

I don't think its available online. John 3:16 (MEV) --

For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son -- so that everyone who believes in Him would not perish, but have eternal life. ​

And John 1:1-3 (set off like poetic verse, different than the MEV's prose) --

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was in communion with God,
and the Word was God.
This is the One
Who was in communion with God
at the beginning.
Everything came into being through the Word,
and without Him
nothing that exists came into being.​

Any quibbles?

 

[Van]

Thanks Franklinmonroe,

Quibble #1 - many modern translation decided the idea behind "so loved the world" is not degree, i.e. He loved the world so much that...; but instead was to point to the method or way God expressed His love, i.e. He gave His Son. But it is a minor point, with the WEB, NASB and NIV still presenting the idea as presented in the MEV.

Quibble #2 - While "communion" is stronger than "with" it may actually hit closer to the mark. I would have to study and read a basis for their choice.

Quibble #3 - Verse 2 seems unclear - should read something like "The Word was in communion with God." Yes, the traditional usage of the pronoun as referring to the one just named is sound, but I like the idea used in moderation of putting the antecedent in place of the pronoun for clarity. [Yes, this is a very thin quibble. ]

Quibble #4 - I like translating the same phrase in the same way especially in the same passage, thus since it was "in the beginner" in verse 1, it should be "in the beginning" in verse two. Otherwise we might wonder about the temporal difference between verse one and two.

I actually liked verse 4 for its clarity!

Again, thanks for providing the samples.

Van

 

[Yeshua1]

The Modern Evangelical Version is a self-proclaimed "conservative" dynamic equivalent translation.

This MEV New Testament (2013 Xlibris) will be easily confused with the recently released Modern English Version (also MEV!).

The sole translator, Robert Thomas Helm, is a SDA pastor in my area of SW Ohio. He states that he based his work on the UBS 4th Edition. From the Introduction --

However, attention has also been given to variant readings in the Greek manuscripts, and the principles of textual criticism have been carefully employed in attempting to choose the original reading. In cases when the original reading is uncertain or when the chosen reading differs significantly from the reading in the so-called "Texus Receptus," variant readings have been listed in the endnotes. (p.9)​

An interesting feature of this NT is that there are "Study Guide" questions at the end of every book. Despite what seems to me to be somewhat a small typeface used for the main text, it is 802 pages in length (and there is no concordance or index)! I just picked this MEV up at a local used book store. I may make this NT my next read. Perhaps I'll post some things later as I go through it.

More conservative then the Niv or?

 

[Van]

Thanks Franklinmonroe, [Updated to correct typos]

Quibble #1 - many modern translation decided the idea behind "so loved the world" is not degree, i.e. He loved the world so much that...; but instead was to point to the method or way God expressed His love, i.e. He gave His Son. But it is a minor point, with the WEB, NASB and NIV still presenting the idea as presented in the MEV.

Quibble #2 - While "communion" is stronger than "with" it may actually hit closer to the mark. I would have to study and read a basis for their choice.

Quibble #3 - Verse 2 seems unclear - should read something like "The Word was in communion with God." Yes, the traditional usage of the pronoun as referring to the one just named is sound, but I like the idea used in moderation of putting the antecedent in place of the pronoun for clarity. [Yes, this is a very thin quibble. ]

Quibble #4 - I like translating the same phrase in the same way especially in the same passage, thus since it was "in the beginning" in verse 1, it should be "in the beginning" in verse two. Otherwise we might wonder about the temporal difference between verse one and two.

I actually liked verse 3 for its clarity!

Again, thanks for providing the samples.

Van