Originally posted by JRG39402:
I used to think many translations were good, but then I saw this website http://www.chick.com/information/bibleversions/ . Now I'm not sure. Any advice? I am 17 and plan on being an evangelist. It has really upset me that I could have been decieved. Thanks in advance.
Personally, I would steer clear of any theory that suggests that any particular English Bible version is perfect and that all others are in error. There is not a single English Bible version that is without some sort of error.
As some others have advised, pray, PRAY,
PRAY about the version you should use. If the Holy Spirit leads you to use the King James Version, that that is the version you should use by all means. If the Holy Spirit leads you to use the NASB, the NIV or the NKJV, then
that is the version you should use. It can be as simple as that!
Some have suggested that you use e-sword to examine various Bible versions, and that is a good idea, too. Also, there are web sites where you can examine various Bible versions to your heart's content. The most complete selection of English Bible versions I have seen online is at
StudyLight.org.
Don't just rush out and buy a print Bible until you have prayed and examined various versions for yourself. Then go back and pray some more. Once you feel comfortable that the Holy Spirit is leading you to use a particular version, then go with that version for your print Bible. I am sure that at 17 you can't afford to go out and buy a whole library of various Bible translations. (No offense intended!
)
One thing that you might want to take into account is whether you are comfortable with all the language changes that have occurred in the years since the KJV was translated. If you were raised in a Christian home and are familiar with the 17th century English of the KJV, then that should be a consideration in selecting a Bible varsion. If you were not raised in a Christian home and you did not "cut your teeth" on the KJV, then you might want to seriously consider a modern version that has language that is easier for you to understand.
Also consider the differences between the various
types of Bible versions. A
formal equivalence or
literal translation (KJV, NASB, NKJV, etc.) gives a fairly accurate word-for-word rendering of what the original languages said - at least as far as it is possible to have a word-for-word translation. A
dynamic equivalence translation like the NIV may give a fairly accurate thought-for-thought rendering of what the original languages said while not rendering it in a word-for-word method. Personally, I would avoid the
paraphrase translations if I were you - they can often convey the biases and denominational stance of the translator(s) while leaving the most room for error.
I would advise that you really
do get a print Bible version that you can carry with you. It is great to have access to all the various Bible versions that the computer can provide, whether at web sites or through Bible software. But remember that there are going to be times when you are not near your ocmputer and you will need a Bible that you can actually put your hands on.
May the Holy Spirit guide you in this decision!
.