Monthly Archives: December 2011

Which Translation of the Bible should I use?

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A lot of folks have asked me about modern English translations.  Which one is best?

(Click image for John 1 in NIV 2011)

John 1 in the King James Version 1611

Which one is worst?  “That NIV ain’t a version, it’s a PERversion!”  🙂

This post will be a short one in terms of the ink spilled on this topic, but I hope to answer it fairly well in a few paragraphs.  I have been attracted to the NIV 2011 ever since mid-2010 when it was released on Bible Gateway.  There are quite a few video tutorials out there to see and take the words of the translators themselves, as well as a host of critical writers out there.  (Watch the NIV 2011 video here)
Below is a quickie table showing the year, translation, and my quick two-word opinion on them:

Year           Translation             Strengths   Weaknesses

1611             King James Version                           Largely Distributed        Awkward
1901             American Standard Version       Extremely Literal           Very Awkward
1952             Revised Standard Version            Ease of reading                Some bias
1963             New American Standard               Literal                                  Readability
1966             Today’s English Version               Easy to read                      Less accurate
1971             Living Bible                                            Readability                       Very Inaccurate
1973             New International Version         Easy to read                     Bias/Inac.
1979             *New King James Version            Easier to read                  Rev. KJV
1989             *New Revised Standard                  Easy to read                    Gender inclusion
1995             *NASB Update                                        Literal/Accurate           Readability
2001             *English Standard Version          Literal/Accurate           Readability
2010             *NIV 2011                                              Easy/Conversational    Somewhat Biased

*All reliable translations, and capable of teaching the lost about Christ with great accuracy.

While “somewhat biased” is my weakness label for the NIV 2011, I am a fan of it.  It is largely accurate it seems, and it has re-placed original text in many of the controversial biased spots of the 1984 NIV.  For example, sarx (flesh) in Greek is translated “sinful nature” in the 1984 NIV, which indicates a definite bias toward a doctrine of original sin.  Although I am not offended by the phrase, “sinful nature”, it is not necessarily the Biblical meaning for the term flesh.  If you are referring to a general state of being lost in the human condition, I’m cool with it.  If you’re referring to the idea that I was born as a sinful infant, inheriting the guilt of my fathers, I disagree.  However, I’m a fan of the 2011 because although there are a few liberties taken, they appear to be driven by a desire to be combination literal word-for-word, and also phrase-for-phrase.
To answer your question… Romans 5 does utilize “flesh” in the NIV 2011, rather than “sinful nature” – although – it does use “sinful nature” in that chapter several times.  When I say “somewhat biased,” that’s what I’m referring to.  They respect the desire to allow the reader to establish his own meaning for the term, flesh.
Another specific example for consideration.  In 1 Cor. 6:9, the quite literal NASB (New American Standard Bible) states, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,…”  – feel free to look it up by the link and read it in context.

HOWEVER, the NIV 2011 translates it like this:  “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men…”  
Footnotes:  1 Corinthians 6:9 The words men who have sex with men translate two Greek words that refer to the passive and active participants in homosexual acts.
For that matter, the ESV (English Standard Version) does the same thing for the verse, stating, “nor men who practice homosexuality”.  See that verse HERE.
Clearly, literal translation in the NASB is somewhat vague in terms in modern English, and misses the Greek meaning of the term malakos.  Some of us think we know what “effeminate” means in English; however, the Greek terms malakos and arsenokoites are extremely graphic, and are clarified in the footnote above (taken directly from the NIV 2011 text).  Combining those two terms – clearly meaning two different things – does help in the NIV 2011.  It helps in the sense that it states unequivocally that homosexuality is sinful in either case; whether one is malakoi (a receiving male prostitute, or youth who is in a relationship with a man) or arsenokoites (one who sodomizes, or lies with a man like he would a woman).  In this case, the English of the NIV 2011 spares us some terribly graphic details of Greco-Roman sexuality, and accomplishes the meaning of the passage at the same time.
Graph & bottom paragraph below courtesy of:  Dan Wallace – A Review of the NIV 2011: part 3 of 4

Elegance, Accuracy, Readability

in Major English Bibles

(scale of 1-10, with 10 being the best score)

Elegance Accuracy Readability
KJV

9

5

3
RV

1

9

2
ASV

4

9

5
RSV

7

8

8
NASB

4

8

4
NRSV

6

8

6
ESV

8

8

8
NIV (whole tradition)

4

8

10
NET

7

10

6

At bottom, there is a variety of factors that one must consider when choosing a translation. The three basic translation philosophies—which, incidentally, correspond to the three periods of English Bible translation: elegance (1536–1881), accuracy (1881-1971), readability (1978–present)—are just one way of looking at these translations.

So which translation should you use?

Do you have an affinity for the lack of understandable English, yet the more Regal and Beautiful language of the King James Version?  Or would you prefer accuracy, yet more readable NIV 2011?  This post hasn’t explored the inaccuracies of the KJV, but rest assured there are several there as well; particularly 1 John 5:5-8 and Hosea 11:12.

It depends on how well you memorize scripture, and how you use the Bible you have in your lap.  At any rate, serious students of the Bible do need to consider translations, when reading.

The Tim Tebow Phenomenon: God’s Providence or Good Luck?

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I praise God that Tebow is who he is.  The fact remains though, that he is presently the most polarizing figure in all of sports.

Since I’m an Alabama boy, I naturally LOVE the game of football.  Matter-of-fact, the harder the hit, the more fun the game really is (within reason of course).  But as a minister here in Colorado, I am trying to sort this out theologically.  Even if you’ve been under a rock, you may know that Tim Tebow, the unlikely, “not fit for the NFL” Quarterback has led the Denver Broncos to an impressive 7-1 record since taking the helm on week 6.  But typically, he does it in the 4th quarter, almost “miraculously” bringing the game back and eeking out the win.  I really appreciate the perspective of Owen Strachan, author of a recent blog article on the Gospel Coalition about “Tebow, Calvin, and the Hand of God in Sports.”

In his blog post, Strachan states, “Instead of living each day for our own glory, Paul urges us to adopt a theocentric way of life: ‘So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God’ (1 Cor. 10:31 ).”  I send a hearty “amen, preach it, man” to that statement.

In the New Testament, God’s children are called to a higher way of living; a higher perspective than the everyday Joe out there on the street who may not have Christ as the focus of his life.  I differentiate between CHRIST and GOD only in this sense; Jesus himself consistently lived for and prayed, “if I testify of myself, my testimony is not valid.” – John 5, 8, 17, and Matthew 5 all show this attitude that Jesus, although the Son of God, deflected the glory to his Father.

David prayed repeatedly in the Psalms for the Lord to lead his steps.  Even in Jeremiah 10:23 states, Jeremiah prays, “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.”  I truly believe the Lord is far bigger than football, sewing, barbershop harmony, or any hobby.  But when we commit ourselves to his influence and his glory in all things, it takes on a special type of meaning and ministry, even in the simple things.  Even that simple thing (perhaps football on Sundays in Denver) takes on an aire of salt and light, that it is done to His glory and to season as salt, and illuminate as light the way to God.

That’s why I am encouraged by Tebow.  As for miraculous or amazing comebacks, I’m not doubting God can do it… but I do doubt that he necessarily IS doing it.  Tebow has an amazing mix of willpower, leadership, Theo-centric focus, and athletic talent.  All of those combined, he seems to pull it off in the end with full-belief and poise, that his talent can overcome odds.  The fact that he does that, and then gives GOD the glory time after time is unbelievable to me.  It proves that this young man’s heart is set on being holy and a vessel of God’s light.

But bigger than that, he seems to have done the same thing in Denver that happened in Gainesville.  His team BELIEVES. Once you get that swagger, it’s hard to LOSE the chip on your shoulder… and yet, Tebow gets in front of the camera and never takes credit for the play.  He deflects to his teammates, his coaches, and his Lord and savior Jesus Christ.  I guess more than anything I’ve seen this kid do, it’s the fact that becomes louder and louder to me with each interview… it’s not about me.

I’ve heard Tim talk.  I know guys who film him for channels 2 and 9 in Denver.  They testify to the same thing; the guy is as authentic as they come.  In the post-game Sunday, the punter Britton Colquitt said Tim Tebow has electrified the team with confidence, and then he personally went on to claim God is doing something amazing here in Denver.

What I think, is that Denver’s Defense is very, very good – especially with Dumervil, Vaughn, Bailey, and all the other stellar contributors.  Tim needs to improve a lot of aspects of his game; but he’s a champion.  He has an un-measurable quality that all greats have had; the confidence and command to execute when it has to be done.  Combine that with some good catches, great long field goals, and a great measure of willpower, and this guy is a powerful commodity for Denver.

Regardless of whether you feel it is God’s direct providence, or a huge stroke of good luck, my emphasis is this:  Tim Tebow is good for football, and he’s good for Christianity.  He deflects glory being poured out on him to the Savior, and he builds up others in the process.  THAT is from God.  Oh – and you bet Tim needs to be taking Matt Prater (place kicker) out for some steak.  Tim Tebow makes every player on that team believe he is better than he really may be.

That’s the kind of person I want to be.