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New Living Translation (NLT)

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by Friend of God, Apr 29, 2015.

  1. Friend of God

    Friend of God Active Member
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    What are your opinions of the New Living Translation, commonly called the NLT ?

    I'm looking to buy my teen grandaughter the Teen Life Application Study Bible, and it only comes in the NLT.

    Anyone have any experience with the NLT?

    Thanks,
    Rob
     
  2. Friend of God

    Friend of God Active Member
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    It looks like my grandaughter solved the problem of a new study Bible all by herself.

    She wants the NIV Teen Study Bible. Several kids in her youth group already use this Bible, so she wants one too.

    Makes me feel better because it's the 2011 NIV, and not a rehash of the Living Bible (which is basically what the NLT is.)
     
  3. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    I use the NIV in Sunday adult bible study, it's a fine translation...
    ... but no ... the NLT is not a re-hash of the Living Bible.

    The New Living Translation (NLT) is a literal translation - not a paraphrase like The Living Bible.

    I've used it when reading from the pulpit - it is a clear, simple translation that is quite easy to read and understand.

    I actually prefer it over the NIV which I believe is 'over-worked' and bland.

    Rob
     
  4. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    thats a common misperception. The NLT is not related to the LB. it is a good translation done by a committee, not a single person.
     
  5. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Of course they are related. Ken Taylor came up with the idea for the Living Translation by paraphrasing the 1901 American Standard Version.

    Ken's son, Mark, with the help of respected Bible scholars, produced the NLT --in its various editions.

    I like it too. But many dismiss it out-of-hand because they are misinformed.
     
  6. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Those two thoughts of yours seem to be contradictory.

    What, exactly do you mean by over-worked, Rob?
     
  7. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    My definition of 'over-worked'...

    I like Blue-grass music.

    When Blue Grass crosses over and becomes popular music it's still blue-grass music but it has become over-worked, over-produced, less-gritty.

    IMO, the NIV is not gritty, it's rough edges have been finely tuned by a 'committee' of scholars, to make it a popularly acceptable translation.

    Rob
     
  8. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    Was the NIV ever gritty Rob --whether in 1973,1979, 1984,2005 or 2011?

    Yes, it has been fine-tuned by a committee of scholars --not unlike all major translations.

    Did they merely have as a goal to make it "a popularly acceptable translations" or did they make changes based on other factors? Factors such as new finds linguistically or in some other field of biblical scholarship?
     
  9. McCree79

    McCree79 Well-Known Member
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    She should really like that Bible. I had one years ago....that was numerous updates ago..haha....

    The NLT would have been fine as well. The wife and I have a devotional Bible in NLT. It's not my favorite translation, but I haven't seen anything inside it that makes me want to burn it :)

    My lack of preference for the NLT is just that ....."preference ". I have spent most of my time in the NIV84 and probably always will. I don't claim it superior, I have just spent 20+ years with it. I do read from ESV, NASB95 and HCSB as well.
     
  10. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I like the NLT and use it occasionally for personal devotion, as an added text in exegesis for teaching/preaching, and will refer to it when an alternative translation is appropriate.

    I've also recommended it to young believers (both in age and maturity) as a good entry-level text for them.

    From a textual standpoint, I appreciate the translation philosophy and it functions well if you're only referencing one or two verses. The translators had a focus of making sure they kept the larger thought of a passage in mind when translating specific verses. So it is helpful for that. However, it does lack some things from time to time across larger breadths of Scripture.
     
  11. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    Does that mean if my dad owns a McDonalds and I start my own restaurant they are related?
     
  12. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    You are trying to deny factual history and common sense.

    Listen, it is undeniable that the NLT was based on the Living Bible. This is the first paragraph of "A Note To Readers" from the 1996 version:

    "With 40 million copies in print The Living Bible has been meeting a great need in people's hearts for more than 30 years. But even good things can be improved, so ninety evangelical scholars from various theological backgrounds and denominations were commissioned in 1989 to begin revising The Living Bible. The end result of this seven-year process is the Holy Bible, New Living Translation --a general purpose translation that is accurate, easy to read, and excellent for study."
     
  13. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    It is a good version for someone new to reading the bible, but would like to have them progress unto a more literal version in time!
     
  14. Friend of God

    Friend of God Active Member
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    I will admit I was misinformed, and I apologize for it.

    Rob
     
  15. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    That is refreshing. You're a good guy.

    Many are misinformed regarding the NIV, but they haven't acknowleged it yet.
     
  16. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Which version of it though?
    The 1984 one, or the worse revisions done in 2005/2011?
     
  17. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    This thread is about the NLT. Take your inane arguments regarding the NIV elsewhere.
     
  18. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    Do you feel that the NLT then would be a superior translation to the more literal ones such as the Nasb?
     
  19. Friend of God

    Friend of God Active Member
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    Thank you Rippon.
     
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