Bible Question: what is the right type of bible to use when you teach a class |
Bible Answer: I have found through much experience in my personal study and in teaching Bible class that it's best NOT to develop too much of an addiction to any one version as they are all compiled and interpreted by men. We humans are inclined to mistakes. Don't get me wrong; God's Word is Absolutely Inerrant and Perfect but that was the autograph edition which didn't survive the 1st century and for good reason. Can you imagine if we really did have an actual autograph edition of the very first few copies of God's Word? First of all, they would turn into icons of worship, taking our focus off our Lord and Creator. Second it would require all of us to learn ancient Koine Greek. Anyway, through the ages the Bible needed to be updated to become readable to all mankind thus the hundreds of versions and the sub-versions. I've found it's best to pick out several of the best, the most reliable ones with the widest reputation of acceptability within the scholarly community and use those for both personal study and leading a class. My favorites are the NKJV and the NASB. I also have NIV but it does have a couple of problems but it's so easy to read. So again appreciate each version for its own strengths and beware each of its weaknesses. Then you'll be prepared to handle the tough questions when someone brings up somthing "misinterpreted" by a particular version. (This also will minimize embarrassing apoligies after finding out your mistake because of your version with that misintertation. Yeah, been there and done that.) It's also ideal to have someone in the congregation who has studied the original Greek version so you can settle some of your worst arguments with someone who's particularly stubborn on one or more issues. Go with God in all things, Bill PS: I really should explain "sub-versions" above. By that I mean the ones we as serious Bible students should discard, i.e. The Living Bible and other so-called "paraphrase" versions. Another hint I didn't make clear: It's NOT a good idea to buy the latest, neat-looking Bible with all those "great" helps. I did it and learned to regret spending so much money. Now that version sits in my library shelf not used so much. Just another bit of advice from us graduates of the School of Hard Knocks. |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Bible general Archive 4 | Author | ||
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Pastorsma | ||
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bellarose | ||
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life | ||
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ashanti2323 | ||
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glenn45 | ||
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Bill Richardson | ||
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azurelaw | ||
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7angels | ||
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glenn45 | ||
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squeakyford | ||
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Chaplain Marco | ||
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richperk | ||
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7angels |