Friday, May 21, 2010

BT - Combination of Formal and Dynamic

Sometimes, folks really only want to purchase and utilize 1 Bible for their devotional, study, and spiritual walk.  Some pastors and teachers have encouraged such a desire especially in regards to Scripture memorization.  Familiarity with one translation can be very beneficial in this area.  Therefore, which Bible serves as a middle of the road between translation theories?  Which translations balance word-for-word (formal) and thought-for-thought (dynamic)?

Two translations come to mind:  the ever so popular for the past 20 some odd years - New International Version (NIV) and the newer within the last decade - Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB).

My first study Bible that I purchased was the NIV Study Bible.  What a great tool to start off!!  When my mother passed away in 1996, I was privileged to inherit my mother's NIV Thompson Chain Reference Bible, which became a wonderful new tool!  Click the links to learn more about the Bibles.

What Bible do you use and why?

2 comments:

  1. Hi Stephen, thanks for this work you're doing. The two translations I use most frequently are the New King James and the Holman Christian Standard. I like the NKJV for the beauty of the language which closely resembles the classic "authorized" King James Version eliminating just enough of the archaic 17th Century English to ease its readability. And the Holman just reads well and is clearly understandable to me. I have also begun referring to the English Standard Version as well from time to time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey Doc! Yes - there is a certain poetic beauty to the King James. Just so that you know - there is a new HCS Study Bible coming out this fall. Check out http://www.hcsb.org/ for more info.
    Thanks for the post!

    ReplyDelete