Bible Question:
Hi to all, I recall awhile back when alot of people were not happy with the new translation of the NIV bible. If I remember correctly there was quite a contraversy going on regarding this matter as to some certain scriptures and certain variations. Even certain one were willing to even to throw the original NIV away. My question to all is this- If certain Bibles are being retranslated ever so often, then how are we to know which translation even remotely comes closests to the Original Language in which it was written to get the closests to the correct interpretation? Your thoughts please! SERENETIME |
Bible Answer: SERENTIME: Yours is an excellent question, in my view. There are only two ways that I know of that we can have assurance that the version we're reading is true to the biblical manuscripts. (1) Become scholars ourselves in the biblical languages. (2) Rely on the counsel of conservative scholars. Regarding (1), there are linguistic cowboys who suppose they can drop by a bookstore, pick up a Strong's or other Hebrew-Greek dictionary, stop by MacDonald's on the way home and while they are eating a Big Mac become an expert in the ancient languages. This is a ridiculous thing to do, and a very dangerous one too, because it takes even the brighest student years to become adept in biblical Hebrew and Greek. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Option (2) is the one that most of us must choose. A careful reading of the translators' preface will generally show how they view Scripture, what texts they used, and what translation philosophy they subscribed to. Additionally, we can and should avail ourselves of the reviews that conservative scholars have written about a particular translation. Endorsements by professors of conservative seminaries carry a great deal of weight with me. Among translations that have been found reliable by a great number of conservative scholars are, in addition to the time-honored KJV, the NASB and the NKJV. --Hank |