Bible Translations

November 8, 2004 · Filed Under theology

English Bible translations are a touchy subject for many people. It is good to have a little healthy skepticism about the biases that enter into a translation from the original languages into English. Holy Scriptures were given to us in the original languages of Hebrew & Greek. Thus, I’m not sure if it’s even possible to have exact & totally accurate translations into English. We can, however, have good, faithful, and reasonably accurate translations.

We are told to daily live and walk in the Word, and this is most certainly good & beneficial. We are also, however, given faithful undershepherds to help guide us in that daily walk. In the LCMS, pastors are fully trained in the original languages, so that they can properly guide and teach their congregations. They are not “final arbiters of truth”, or biblical/theological “dictators” whose mere presence obviates the need for individuals to walk & live in the Word. Rather, they are (and I love the pastoral model/analogy!) caring undershepherds, called & charged by Jesus Himself with the spiritual well being of their flocks — a charge that is to be carried out through loving teaching, guidance, & correction.

But I digress…

There are several translations that I have found to be particularly good & solid, from an Orthodox Lutheran point-of-view. These include: NASB-95, NKJV, KJV, & Beck’s AAT.

Two new translations have also recently come onto my radar: the ESV and the HCSB. I’m currently using the HCSB as my main study/devotional Bible, and have found it to be a very solid & trustworthy translation to date (caveat: it is the newest translation on my preferred list, and I haven’t completed an in-depth analysis; however, what I have analyzed so far has looked very good). The ESV is also relatively new, and looks to be the translation that the new LCMS Lutheran Service Book (hymnal) will be based upon. I’ve heard both positive and negative things about the ESV; however, the biggest knock against it, IMO, is that it is derivative of the RSV, and that the translation team didn’t eradicate all of the Reformed bias out of it. (in case you’re wondering, I don’t recommend the NIV, as it’s become pretty clear that the NIV is quite biased in its theological underpinnings, which clearly colors how some important things have been translated…)

But I digress again…

You’ll notice that scripture citations in my blog are clickable (thanks to the WordPress Scripturizer plugin!), and that I have it set up by default to send you to BibleGateway.com for the HCSB translation of any given quote. I just recently changed that setting, as it has been the NKJV — fortunately, BibleGateway.com has recently worked out the kinks for making the full HCSB translation available online.

FWIW, if anyone is interested in my further thoughts regarding English language translations, please let me know, and I’ll work on getting it out sooner rather than later (it will happen eventually, however… ;^) ).

-ghp

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Tags: bible, esv, hymnal, kjv, lcms, lsb, nasb, niv, nkjv