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Serious Question

Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by amixedupmom, May 22, 2004.

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  1. amixedupmom

    amixedupmom Guest

    While I believe that the KJV 1611 is the inspiration of God. What about using the NIV as a study tool? As a companion to the Bible? [​IMG]
     
    #1 amixedupmom, May 22, 2004
  2. Bartholomew

    Bartholomew New Member

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    Personally, I can't see the point. The NIV isn't a literal translation, so you're only getting the translator's view. Much better, in my opinion, to consult another literal version if you want another take on it.
     
    #2 Bartholomew, May 22, 2004
  3. Ransom

    Ransom Active Member

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    Serious, responsible Bible study should involve comparative study of multiple translations. There are passages for which the correct translation is not certain, or for which multiple interpretations are possible.

    1 Thess. 4:4 is one such passage. What is a "vessel"? Why do some translators say it means one's own body (e.g. the NIV), while others say it is a wife (GNB), and still others just translate the word literally as "vessel" (KJV or NASB), and not solve the question at all?

    Unless you compare translations, you are arbitrarily assigning infallibility to the wisdom of one group of them, and they might be wrong.
     
    #3 Ransom, May 22, 2004
  4. Ransom

    Ransom Active Member

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    The NIV isn't a literal translation, so you're only getting the translator's view.

    If you think that the KJV, by contrast, is "objective" and free of the translators' view, you are fooling yourself.

    And the NIV is more a literal translation than a paraphrase, notwithstanding the attempts of many to paint it as some sort of "anything goes" version.
     
    #4 Ransom, May 22, 2004
  5. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Lea, the NIV is not a "companion" to the Bible. It is also an English translation of the Bible.

    ANY such translation - NIV, AV1611, NASB - gains a "derived inspiration" as it faithfully translates the inspired Word of God in Hebrew/Greek into the receptor language (in our case, English).

    Someone may not like the METHOD of translating or the underlying Hebrew/Greek texts used for translating, but don't ever ever ever fall into the trap of thinking that the NIV or NASB or AV1611 is NOT a "bible", is not the "Word of God".

    Hope this helps.

    p.s. - there are commentaries and "paraphrases" (look like Bibles but add men's ideas and thoughts - like the Living Bible by Ken Taylor or the Amplified Bible) that would serve as companion books. Some good, some bad, some ugly!
     
    #5 Dr. Bob, May 22, 2004
  6. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    That is wrong on many levels, Bart. The NIV IS a literal translation, it simply uses a different method of literally translating than you (I assume) use.

    The NASB, AV1611, NKJV use "formal equivalence", trying to give every Hebrew/Greek word its counterpart in English. Of course, they must add MANY words to have this make sense, as Hebrew/Greek are constructed vastly differently from English.

    Every time they add in words or rearrange the English words to "make sense" to us, they are using a bias or slant. The AV1611 even had numerous rules (posted in other threads) that guided them in what they could/could not say.

    The NIV uses "dynamic equivalence", trying to understand the thought or concept transmitted in the Hebrew/Greek, then put it in English today. While not as accurate, it still is "literal".

    It is as if what the NASB, AV1611, NKJV did very little, the NIV does completely.

    Hope this helps.
     
    #6 Dr. Bob, May 22, 2004
  7. Ransom

    Ransom Active Member

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    While not as accurate, it still is "literal".

    This is true only if you define "accurate" as "as close to a one-to-one translation of Greek words to English words as possible." A case can be made that if the version fails to convey any meaning to the reader, it is in fact less accurate. (What would be the point in translating otherwise?)
     
    #7 Ransom, May 22, 2004
  8. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    Dear Lea,

    The NIV strong point is that it is in modern "standard" English.

    It is not derived from the category of the Traditional Text or Textus Receptus as is the KJV.

    The NIV is derived from what is called the Critical Text which takes into account the modern manuscript discoveries from the 3rd-4th centuries.

    There is basically only 3-4 % between these two categories of original language texts. No major doctrines are fatally impacted.

    A popular modern (but more "wooden") translation of the Traditional Text is the New King James.

    Obviously you are computer savvy.
    Here is a website which will allow you to see several translations of any given verse along with several other helps:

    http://www.blueletterbible.org/

    It takes some study and work to use this website effectively.

    May the Spirit of God illuminate your mind whichever Bible you use.

    HankD
     
    #8 HankD, May 22, 2004
  9. amixedupmom

    amixedupmom Guest

    I own 4 copies of KJ1611
    1 copy of NKJV
    and 2 of the NIV version.

    I'm not sure why I have all these copies but, I use them. I also have 4 Little girls. :) that and DH has his (one of the 4 KJV 1611's )

    thanks Hank and everyone else who replied [​IMG]
     
    #9 amixedupmom, May 22, 2004
  10. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    I wouldn't use it as a study tool. I would use as the Bible. After all, that is what it is ...
     
    #10 Pastor Larry, May 22, 2004
  11. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    Lea,

    I have found that by using several different translations (not all at once, but on occassion), I get a much clearer picture of what I am studying.

    It's like looking at a diamond. Sitting in the jeweler's case, it is very pretty. And when he takes it out of the case and lays it on the velvet for you, it is even more so. But when you pick it up to the light and turn it, then the true depth of its wonders flash forth from its facets.

    So it is with using different translations. None are perfect (they are translations, after all), but when use in combination, you get a three-dimensional view of God's truth.

    At least, that's my take on it.

    In Christ,
    Trotter
     
    #11 Trotter, May 22, 2004
  12. amixedupmom

    amixedupmom Guest

    Trotter,
    I like that view. I think you have just said what I have been feeling for the past year now.

    Thank you
    God Bless,
    Lea
     
    #12 amixedupmom, May 22, 2004
  13. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    De nada, senora.

    Glad to be of help.
     
    #13 Trotter, May 22, 2004
  14. Charles Meadows

    Charles Meadows New Member

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    If you prefer the KJB but don't always understand the verbage (as many really sometimes do not) then using something like the NIV as another reading is often good. I find the NIV thoroughly bland and do not like it - but it is a good translation for those who are having trouble with the meaning of something.
     
    #14 Charles Meadows, May 22, 2004
  15. Askjo

    Askjo New Member

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    Trust the NIV?
     
    #15 Askjo, May 22, 2004
  16. Askjo

    Askjo New Member

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    Correct!
    Incorrect!
     
    #16 Askjo, May 22, 2004
  17. amixedupmom

    amixedupmom Guest

    In my vain attempt at life, I would love to see everyone agree that It dosen't matter what Bible you use, as long as you use one. Too many times in this day and age we pick apart at the little things and forget the whole point of it. As long as we believe that Jesus Christ allowed himself to die for each and every sin we have ever, will ever commit, that nothing else matters. It's true as Christians we must be vilgilant in our studies. There is one thing. We are seperatist in the way with think, and believe like the song says I'm waiting to go home. I wish people would stop arguing over the thee's and thou's and just love Christ. But, I guess then we would have nothing to debate now would we?

    God Bless,
    Lea
     
    #17 amixedupmom, May 22, 2004
  18. Ransom

    Ransom Active Member

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    Incorrect!

    Well, thank you Asjko for that thoughtful, thorough, and well documented response. :rolleyes: [​IMG]
     
    #18 Ransom, May 22, 2004
  19. Daniel David

    Daniel David New Member

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    As to the original post, I am strongly opposed to KJVO, so that hasn't colored my view of the NIV. I place the NIV on the same level as my other commentaries.

    The method of translation for the NIV and the purpose of a commentary differs so little that a distinction cannot seriously be made.

    It contains the Word of God, without actually being the word of God. If you want to know what God said, please use a translation that translated what was actually said, not interpreted and then translated.
     
    #19 Daniel David, May 22, 2004
  20. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    The NIV is a very good translation. Its purpose was clear communication and it uses a very legitimate method of translation that we all use and accept in communication. It is an interpretation only in the sense that every other version is an interpretation. That is to say that all translations necessarily interpret. There are no doctrines affected by it.

    You can use it with great confidence right alongside the NASB, NKJV, ESV, KJV, and others.
     
    #20 Pastor Larry, May 22, 2004
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