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Featured Amplified Bible?

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by ElainaMor, Nov 6, 2013.

  1. ElainaMor

    ElainaMor New Member

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    Hi everyone, I've been using the amplified bible a lot online and I'm really enjoying it. I'm finding myself a lot of times going "ooooh, that's what that scripture means." I'm considering buying myself a hard copy of the amplified but before I do (if I do) I was curious to what everyone here thinks of the amplified.
     
  2. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    http://www.lockman.org/amplified/

    .
     
  3. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I am cautious. The Amplified Bible, in my view, assumes that there is no objective standard for interpretation and allows the reader to simply pick from a group of synonyms the word that best suits their desire. The problem is that this method makes absolutely no attempt in choosing the word that best fits what the original text says.

    Example: John 3:16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
     
  4. ElainaMor

    ElainaMor New Member

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    Maybe I'm just not seeing it but how does the amplification of this verse change the meaning?
     
  5. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    The Amplified Version does not change the meaning, but neither does it define the meaning. For example, does "believe" here mean "trust in" "cling to" or "rely on." Do these mean the same thing in context of the passage? Are we saved because we "cling to" Christ? Does or can begotten mean "unique" here, or is a definition closer to generating (as in offspring) more appropriate?

    When the authors of the text wrote that God loved the world, did they mean that He "prized" the world?

    What sometimes bothers me is when people read from this version and go into the many definitions as if the words are amplifying the meaning of the passage. In truth, I believe that the authors chose their words to mean a specific thing - we may not get the precise meaning of the word in English but I think we should try.
     
  6. ElainaMor

    ElainaMor New Member

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    Oh ok, I see what you are saying. I guess I'll put off buying a hard copy. I don't own a hard copy Bible yet, been using the online versions but at the point that I would like a personal copy of the bible. Just trying to decide which one.
     
  7. preacher4truth

    preacher4truth Active Member

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    Welcome to BB Elaina and thank you for sharing your testimony in the other thread.

    It is good to see you are seeking out versions of Scripture. Although I am not familiar with the Amplified version there are many other versions out there for you to use as well.

    Here are a few resources for you to use:

    This is a nice app for tablets and smart phones: http://www.mysword.info/

    This is a program for PC's: www.e-sword.net

    This link provides more add-ons to the two programs above: www.biblesupport.com (be aware of some unorthodox modules here and being censored if you call them on it)

    And there is this radio station with many good and sound preachers: www.bottradionetwork.com

    All of the above are free programs.
     
  8. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    The Amplified should be used as a study tool; a reference, but not one's primary Bible. My mom and dad's preacher used to use the Amplified to preach from. I had a lot of trouble following him when it came to his public reading of the text not to mention the fact that he had trouble reading it out loud.
     
  9. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    For a new Christian, I would suggest an NIV or HCSB. I really would stay away from the Amplified Bible, but that's just my opinion.
     
  10. jonathan.borland

    jonathan.borland Active Member

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    Hi Elaina, welcome to the Baptistboard!
     
  11. jonathan.borland

    jonathan.borland Active Member

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    Elaina, you might want to consider buying a study Bible. I've read the NIV study Bible and all its notes, and can recommend it.
     
  12. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    You dare to tell her to read the NIV in any form?! Don't you know how egalitarian,liberal and agenda-driven it's supposed to be?

    ...Oh,that's right. People who don't own a hard copy say that that.


    Sarcasm off.
     
  13. jonathan.borland

    jonathan.borland Active Member

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    Hi Rippon,

    In 9th or 10th grade I read the Bible through for the first time using the KJV Scofield reference Bible. Our church had always used the KJV from the pulpit and in the Sunday school curriculum, missions clubs, etc., so I really didn't consider it strange. It was tedious at times, but I enjoyed English literature and was especially hungry for God's Word. The next year I read both columns of the KJV-NIV parallel Bible, and to me reading the NIV column was like getting glasses after going years without knowing things were actually supposed to be clearer. I think it was my senior year in high school when I got and read the NIV Study Bible through, including every note, and this opened up my eyes to possible solutions to difficult problems, and indeed to many problems themselves that I never even knew existed. Although I haven't read the NIV (or its study Bible notes) through for some time now, it's still the one that God used to put me on the path toward who and where I am today. That's why I can recommend it, especially to newer believers. It made a big difference to me at just the right time.

    Sincerely,

    Jonathan
     
  14. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    WOW! Amazing parallel to my life. I read the KJV Scofield Study Bible cover-to-cover when I was in 7th or 8th grade. Then I got the Pilgrim (KJV) Study Bible which I thought was much better, and have used it ever since. Back in 1994 or so I bought my wife the NIV Study Bible. While she has always used it I never really looked at it until recently. It's really opened my eyes to being able to understand familiar passages that I thought I understood, but really didn't, or else just skated through without fully understanding. I will back up your recommendation with my own recommendation of the NIV Study Bible.

    One thing about it that is both a blessing and a distraction:

    Yes, there are study notes that describe issues I never knew existed and there are frequently two or more viewpoints of how to interpret verses that are simultaneously intellectually stimulating, but also somewhat confusing. However, it does make you dig deeper into study and that is a good thing.
     
  15. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    Not a fan. The problem is that it allows the reader to pick the meaning that suits their preferences, rather than giving an objective translation.

    Ascribing such a wide semantic range to a word without context essentially means that the reader re-writes the text to suit his preference every time he reads it.
     
  16. nodak

    nodak Active Member
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    The Amplified is an OK translation, but there are better ones.

    Christian Book Distributions and other outlets usually have a page helping you pick a translation.

    Now, I strongly recommend you DO NOT get a study Bible until you are well established in your faith. The first 5 years or so, learn what GOD says, not what some well meaning people tell you He means.

    And be aware different translations are slanted into different theological schools.

    Again, just googling "Calvinist Bible Translations" or "Arminian Bible Translations", etc will help you on that road.

    My personal recommendations: The Expanded Bible is hard to read but does give those alternatives. Better than the Amplified but still not as good as a really good translations.

    My favorite: NKJV. Next HCSB. Next NET.

    And of course, you can't go wrong with the KJV but it is a bit harder to read.

    NASB and ESV are good, but a bit too Calvinistic in some places.
     
  17. ElainaMor

    ElainaMor New Member

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    Thanks everyone for the responses, gave me lots to chew on. I'm considering getting an NIV or NET Bible. I'm leaning more to the NIV simply because I can buy it in my local christian book store. But I'm hesitant because I've read both good and bad things online about the NIV so I'm not sure. Can you guys give me any feedback about these translation? Thanks.
     
  18. jonathan.borland

    jonathan.borland Active Member

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    Briefly, in my own words & opinion, the NIV is more readable than the NET. It also doesn't have hundreds of thousands of annoying superscripted numbers in the text like the NET (hyperbole for effect). The ESV/NRSV is more academic if you're looking for that. If you want an extremely readable version, you might want to try the Contemporary English Version by the American Bible Society. The KJV is unparalleled if you enjoy classic English literature.
     
  19. kyredneck

    kyredneck Well-Known Member
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    "I'm finding myself a lot of times going "ooooh, that's what that scripture means."...."

    Good for you! I love the AB, I've used it a lot in researching the scriptures. By all means get yourself a hard copy if you want. IMO, use several versions, not just one.

    Check out these free downloadable Bibles from:

    http://www.johnhurt.com/
    (scroll down to the bottom)

    I use their searchable speed Bibles ASV, KJV, and YLT extensively. They are performing an excellent work in providing these electronic Bibles at no cost.
     
    #19 kyredneck, Nov 14, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 14, 2013
  20. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    I can't comment on the NET because I'm not familiar with it. I do like the NIV a lot.

    I would compare some of your favorite verses in the NIV and the NET and see which version you think reads more easily, is easier to understand, and is the
    most accurate. You can do this at Biblegateway.com.

    Select the version you want, say NIV, use the search box to find the passage. Then click on the "Add Parallel" button to add another version so you can compare it side-by-side.

    For example here is John 1 in the NIV and NET:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John 1&version=NIV;NET


    You can do this for any passage you desire. For example, here is 1 Cor 13:4-7:

    http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 cor. 13:4-7&version=NIV;NET

    I like the NIV better in those two passages, esp. in 1 Cor 13. Look at verse 6:

    NIV 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
    NET 6 It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth.

    Evil? Or Injustice? Well, injustice can be evil but using injustice can limit the interpretation.
     
    #20 InTheLight, Nov 14, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 14, 2013
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