Subject: NEW LIVING BIBLE? |
Bible Note: Hi Steve. The Living Bible is the work of Kenneth N. Taylor who in 1954 began paraphrasing Scripture for use in family devotions, primarily so that his pre-teen daughter would be able to understand Scripture better. It is in no sense a new translation but a paraphrasing of the Revised Standard Version which he used as the textual basis for his paraphrase. The Living Bible mixes the author's interpretations with the text. Thus, it is strongly tendentious. The author inserts wording that has no basis whatever in the original text. It is immensely easy to read, makes a good story book, but I'm far from recommending it for serious Bible study..... The New Living Translation departs from the Living Bible in two significant ways. [1] It is a new translation, the work of an ecumenical team of Bible scholars and professional translators, and [2] it is not a loose paraphrasing by one man of another translation, as the Living Bible is. It is also easy to read, and this along with reasonable accuracy, makes it an attractive choice for readers who struggle with the more formal translations. The New Living Translation is fun to read. But for detailed and more critical Bible study, many prefer -- I among them -- to use other translations as well. --Hank |