Transcript Which Translation Should I Use?
Which Translation Should I Use?
There are many versions of the Bible available for us. Which should I buy, use and study?
Introduction 1. Inspiration 1. Later we will study the “how” of the inspiration 2. We must begin with the idea that the Bible is not the product of man 3. The Bible came from God 4. If NOT – then translation is not critical or even an important issue
Introduction 1. Inspiration 2. Canonization 1. We must know that the books in the Bible belong there.
2. We must know that manuscripts that have been rejected should not be included.
3. We have the Word of God
Introduction 1. Inspiration 2. Canonization 3. Transmission 1. The originals were hand copied 2. They were distributed to other churches 3. Copies of copies were made
Introduction
Introduction 1. Inspiration 2. Canonization 3. Transmission 4. Translation 1. To spread the Word of God to the world it must be translated 2. Not just copied but accurately translated into other languages
Why are there so many?
Language is in constant flux and change Here is 2 Peter 2:10-11 from 1611.
Why are there so many?
Words change meaning
Grass – your lawn / illegal drug
Cool – not hot / slang for swell
Rap – to knock / a poem with a beat
Language is in constant flux and change Words from 400 years ago are spelled differently, look different, and have different meanings
Why are there so many?
Language is in constant flux and change Words change meaning
We are still discovering manuscripts and learning the meaning of words and phrases
Propitiation – used to mark a bill when is was paid – “Paid in Full” – The debt is satisfied.
Principles for this study
Bible is inspired Word of God Every word is important – plenary (verbal) inspiration Original texts – 3 languages Hebrew – Greek – Aramaic
Principles for this study
Bible is inspired Word of God Every word is important – plenary (verbal) inspiration Original texts – 3 languages Written by more than 40 men Covering a period of about 3,000 years
2 Keys for Translation
Decide WHAT to translate
Which manuscripts, documents
Which are more accurate?
Decide HOW you are going to translate them
How many men – scholars
More on methods of translation later
Translation is Complicated
Not just use Greek – English dictionary Not just read Greek word – write English word What about shades of meaning?
Idiomatic expressions Symbolic meanings Proper names
Translation is Complicated Here is a Word for Word translation of Matthew 1:21 GREEK ENGLISH Texetai De SHALL-BE-BRINGING-FORTH YET Uion Kai Kaleseis To SON AND SHALL-BE-CALLING THE Onoma Autou Ihsoun Autos Gar Swsei Ton Laon Autou Apo Twn Amartiwn Autwn NAME HIM JESUS HE FOR SHALL-BE-SAVING THE PEOPLE HIM FROM THE SINS THEM
Translation is Complicated
Translation Requires: A mastery of the source language Skill and faithfulness in translating Mastery of the English language Is this accurate?
Is it readable? Understandable?
Translation is Complicated
Translation Philosophy
Formal Equivalence – word for word, literal translation
ASV is an example of this type
Dynamic Equivalence – express the idea, translate the thought
The modern paraphrases are examples of this form
Every version is somewhere in between these extremes
King James Version - 1611
Known as the Authorized Version
The original was in 1611
The revision we read today is from 1769 – (158 years later)
Translated by 60 scholars
6 groups – 3 OT; 2 NT; 1 Apocrypha
Used Coverdale, Geneva, Great Bible
Used available Hebrew and Greek manuscripts
2011 is the 400 th anniversary of KJV
King James Version - 1611
Weakness 1. Inconsistent translation 1. Abolish – 27 times; 18 different words 2. 1 Corinthians 6:1, 8, 9 – same word translated by 3 different words 3. Interchange of Spirit and Ghost 4. Use of Hell for Hades 2. Many manuscripts discovered since 1611
King James Version - 1611
Weakness 1. Inconsistent translation 2. Many manuscripts discovered since 1611 3. English words have changed meaning
King James Version - 1611 1611 – KJV PASSAGE
PREVENT LET CHARITY CONVERSATION 1 THESSALONIANS 4:15 2 THESSALONIANS 2:7 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1 PHILIPPIANS 1:27
NOW MEANS
HINDER ALLOW HELP NEEDY TALK WITH
King James Version - 1611
Weakness 1. Inconsistent translation 2. Many manuscripts discovered since 1611 3. English words have changed meaning 4. Some doctrinal errors 1. Calvinism – Acts 2:47, Hebrews 6:4-8 2. Easter – Acts 12:4
King James Version - 1611
Strengths 1. Over a billion copies 2. Trusted 3. Reliable 4. Accurate 5. Many helps available – concordances, dictionaries, commentaries, computer programs
King James Version - 1611
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Quote from Jackson Sun – Saturday, March 5, 2011 – “After 400 years, KJV Bible still influential” Dr. Clyde Woods, teacher at Freed Hardeman University – “The King James Version is not completely accurate in its translation of everything, Woods said. Some of its language is still hard for some to understand, and over time some words change meaning, he said. But from a linguistic / literary standpoint, it is unparalleled in history for its worldwide influence,” he said.
King James Version - 1611
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Quote from Jackson Sun – Saturday, March 5, 2011 – “After 400 years, KJV Bible still influential” Joel Allen, teacher at Union University, “Over time, older, more accurate versions of the New Testament were discovered, and that’s where other translations form their basis, he said.”
American Standard Version
There was an English revision done in 1870 A committee was formed to do the same for America ASV came out in 1901 Used many of the newly discovered manuscripts Updated and revised in1971 and 1995 - NASB
American Standard Version
Weakness 1. Word for word translation made some sentences awkward and difficult to read 2. More accurate = less readable
American Standard Version
Strengths 1. Formal equivalent method – word for word translation 2. Very accurate – most accurate of any English translation 3. Improved the outdated language 4. Capitalized pronouns in reference to Deity
New International Version
Completed in 1978
Was of the dynamic equivalent type
Not word for word
But interpret the meaning
Communicate the thought or idea
New International Version
Weakness 1. Flesh is translated “sinful nature” – teaching Calvinism’s idea of total depravity 2. Psalm 51:5 teaches total depravity
New International Version
Strengths 1. Updated archaic terms 2. There is no other value to this translation NOTE: This version is filled with too many errors in doctrine. It is not recommended as a study Bible.
New King James Version
In 1982 Thomas Nelson publisher wanted to update the KJV Keep the beauty of the KJV Remove the archaic words and phrases 119 scholars worked on this translation
New King James Version
Weakness 1. It follows the older manuscripts of the KJV 2. Does not rely on the abundance of newly discovered manuscripts 3. More of a revision of the KJV than a new translation
New King James Version
Strengths 1. NKJV keeps the dignity and beauty of the KJV 2. Did a better job with conjunctions – and, thus, however, and but 3. Structured poetical sections in poetry verse format 4. Current – reliable - accurate
English Standard Version
Was published in 2001 Instead of trying to revise a sound translation, they choose to produce a new translation They wanted it to be more literal More like the ASV – Formal equivalent Much less like the NIV – Dynamic equivalent
English Standard Version
Weakness 1. It takes a few years to see if a work is generally accepted 2. I recommend 15 – 20 years 3. Wait and see if it will grow in popularity or disappear 4. Must wait for helps to be published for the ESV - concordance
English Standard Version
Strengths 1. More literal, word for word, like the ASV 2. More consistent in translating words 3. Up to date vocabulary
Holman Christian Standard
The HCSB was published in 2004
Was translated by about 80 scholars
All work was overseen by the Southern Baptist Convention
Good – conservative; not liberal
Bad – one denomination can insert their bias and slant on passages
Holman Christian Standard
Weakness 1. It takes a few years to see if a work is generally accepted 2. I recommend 15 – 20 years 3. Wait and see if it will grow in popularity or disappear 4. Must wait for helps to be published for the ESV - concordance
Holman Christian Standard
Strengths 1. Optimal equivalent – half way in between the ASV and NIV 2. More consistent in translating words 3. Up to date vocabulary
Conclusions 1. For the first 35 years of my preaching I used the KJV 2. Over the years I noticed two things 1. I was doing my own revision 1. Ghost was Spirit 2. Thee and Thou became You 2. I was spending a lot of time in sermons and class explaining archaic terms in the KJV
Conclusions 1. For the first 35 years of my preaching I used the KJV 2. After a lot of study I changed to the NKJV 1. Ease of transition from KJV 2. Accurate 3. Reliable 4. Helps available
Conclusions 1. I am not BINDING any translation on you 2. I have some suggestions 1. Use a good readable one 2. Use one done by a broad base of scholarship – not one church or group 3. Select one that has helps available 4. Make sure it is accurate, reliable 3. I suggest – KJV, NKJV, NASB
Reaching the world
In our world:
Fewer have high reading skills
Many college graduates do not read on an 8 th grade level
The Bible must be able to be read, studied and understood
Reaching the world
From the Washington Post "It's appalling -- it's really astounding," said Michael Gorman, president of the American Library Association and a librarian at California State University at Fresno. "Only 31 percent of college graduates can read a complex book and extrapolate from it. That's not saying much for the remainder."
Reaching the world TRANSLATION GRADE LEVEL
KJV ESV HCSB 12 10 7-8
TRANSLATION GRADE LEVEL
NASB NIV NKJV 11 8 7
WE ARE FACING THE “DUMBING DOWN” OF AMERICA.
IF WE REACH WITH WORLD WITH THE WORD OF GOD, IT MUST BE IN A TRANSLATION THAT IS READABLE BY MOST PEOPLE.