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Why The Need?

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by Baptist4life, Jan 28, 2009.

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  1. Amy.G

    Amy.G New Member

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    The OP was not asking why the need for various types of bibles. The question was "why the need for so many versions?"
    Did you read the thread I started titled "Out of control"? I asked the question there about multitude of specialized bibles. We don't need a "duct tape bible" regardless of what translation it is. There is no red herring here.

    I gave my answer...profits. What is your answer? Why are there so many versions?

    And why are you trying to make this about KJVO?
     
  2. TC

    TC Active Member
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    You totally ignored my questions. Why was it OK to have a multitude of English translations made back when the KJV was new and is wrong now? Do you really think that the 1599 Geneva Bible was not good enough and a new Bible had to be made in 1603. People have been making new English Bibles every few years since the beginning of the English language and will continue to do so. Nobody forces you to buy any of them. I think you are getting bent shape for nothing.
     
  3. TC

    TC Active Member
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    I don't have it every day, but I do like to have a good strong cup of coffee. I also get free coffee at Holiday ( http://www.holidaystationstores.com/ )where I work.
     
  4. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    I missed this thread when it started. But the old timers will know my answer already.

    There is no need for new English translations when according to Wycliffe there are still 2251 languages in the world without even a portion of the Bible, and only 1168 languages out of 6912 in the world with "access to the New Testament in their heart language" as Wycliffe puts it. (http://www.wycliffe.org/About/Statistics.aspx)

    Would anyone like to pack up their ten different versions of the Bible and head for an island in Indonesia or the Phillipines to translate the NT, or just the book of John maybe, for a people group without any portion of the Bible? :praying:
     
  5. Keith M

    Keith M New Member

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    And the NRSV as well...and the Amplified Bible...

    This error apparently goes back to the RSV. The Amlified Bible, according to the Lockman Foundation, is based on the 1901 ASV. But the ASV doesn't have the animals in charge of Laban's sons. Neither does the ASV's predecessor, the RV.

     
  6. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    John: When communism took over the old Russia, the twice-born believers still there were happy to have a page, one page, out of their Bible to share. We fuss about too many versions on the market and in the shops!

    Bck when Mr. Trudeau was prime minister, Canadians were going through a "poor Canada" sort of attitude. He said, "We should packup ever Canadian and send them abroad for two weeks in some of the poor nations. They would return loving Canada," Perhaps the same would be true for all believers if they spent just two weeks on the foreign mission field.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  7. Gold Dragon

    Gold Dragon Well-Known Member

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    Language is a means of communication. Living languages (those that are spoken, written, typed, used, etc. by people) are constantly changing across time and space and vary from person to person.

    God continues to use language to communicate to humans and to do that, different translations are absolutely needed just as much as they were in the 1600s.
     
  8. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    I have a story in my files about a Russian believer under communism who heard about a shipment of Bibles and walked literally thousands of miles to get one! And as I'm sure you have, I've read about Russian and Chinese believers under communism copying out their own Bibles by hand. The fusses about Bible versions in North America are pretty silly when you think about that! :(
    Exactly right! Japan is an advanced nation, so we don't "suffer for Jesus" physically. But this is still a heathen nation with idols and idol worship all over, with twice the abortion per capita, casual immorality and dishonesty, less than 1% Christian and an average of one tiny church for every 27,000 or so people. So when folks come over here and actually see our work, they go back very thankful for their freedom in the homeland and their many churches.
     
  9. Logos1560

    Logos1560 Well-Known Member
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    There would be several reasons why there are so many different English versions today. Maintaining that there are "too many" would not be a valid argument for claiming that there should be only one. The early English translators themselves argued that having diversity of translations [having more than one] was a good thing.

    For one example, consider the view of Miles Coverdale. An introductory article to The English Hexapla noted: "It was the firm conviction of Coverdale that many translations in a vernacular tongue are a help to the understanding of Scripture" (p. 73). This same article pointed out that Coverdale's "judgment was decidedly in favour of many translations being used, in order that the English reader might have the opportunity of examining into the meaning of the Scripture, without being limited to the translation of any one man, or one body of translators" (p. 82). Luther Martin also wrote: "This second translation strengthened Coverdale's desire to have available as many different versions for the public to read and compare, as possible" (Unholy Hands, II, p. 422). In his prologue to the Christian reader in his 1535 translation, Coverdale wrote: "Whereas some men think now the many translations make division in the faith and in the people of God, it is not so." Susan Felch pointed out that Coverdale translated four separate versions of the book of Psalms: 1535 translation of Johannes Campensis’s Latin Psalter, the 1535 Coverdale’s Bible, the Great Bible of 1539, and the 1540 Psalter both in Latin and English (O’Sullivan, Bible as Book, p. 69).


    It is impossible to limit it to one without there also being other things such a state church [only one church or denomination with complete comformity to the doctrines of that one church], censorship or control of the press by a state church or by the state, a monopoly on printing of the Bible, denial of religious liberty, etc.
     
  10. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Keith - Sign up for MyPoints and you can work towards free Starbucks cards! Seriously. It's a slow process but I get a $25 card every 6 months or so. :) Actually, now that I have the MyPoints credit card and use it to buy groceries and gas, I get them much faster. I keep my family in free Starbucks. LOL
     
  11. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    I never said you need to limit it to one version. Please, this is NOT a KJVO thread! But HOW MANY, (I know there are at least 20), different versions in English do we need?
     
  12. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
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    As many as the Lord intends to bless us with.If you want to contend that the Lord would never bless the many versions we have in English then you take that up with your Maker on Judgment Day and see how you fare.
     
  13. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    Where did I even insinuate that? WHY is it that every time I post, someone's gotta "take a shot" at me? I think it goes back to the fact that I'm KJV PREFERRED, not KJV Only, and makes the point that those who like the KJV get treated differently. Rippon, your remark was very un-Christlike, and I would like an apology.
     
  14. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Pardon my thin skin regarding this issue but I have heard it from the KJVO's over and over again and when it is used in that realm it IS just a red herring. KJV printers are out to make a profit also so- what's the difference?

    Simple answer- there are so many versions because each one fits a different type of reader, student, or audience. Some ESL people understand the NIV better. Some preachers prefer the NAS, some the ESV, many prefer the KJV. I have used all at one time or another along with several others.
     
  15. sag38

    sag38 Active Member

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    Where did I even insinuate that? WHY is it that every time I post, someone's gotta "take a shot" at me? I think it goes back to the fact that I'm KJV PREFERRED, not KJV Only, and makes the point that those who like the KJV get treated differently. Rippon, your remark was very un-Christlike, and I would like an apology.

    l
    Come on Bforlife, loosen your shoes. You have them tied too tight. Take it easy.
     
  16. HankD

    HankD Well-Known Member
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    Here is the answer from those who truely know:
    HankD
     
  17. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    Weren't there enough in 1611? Why another one then?
     
  18. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    See? Once again you're trying to steer this to the KJV! This forum is absolutely ridiculous when it comes to trying to have a serious discussion. I need a break from it.:BangHead:


    You know, C4K, you're a Mod....why don't you just ask people to leave this forum, instead of allowing them to be treated the way they are? It would be more Christlike than allowing them to be made to feel very unwelcome here. Think about that before you give me another smart alec reply, please?
     
    #58 Baptist4life, Jan 30, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 30, 2009
  19. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    You are the one bringing up the KJV. I asked a fair question. Why was there a need for a new version in 1611? There were several good ones around. How do we decide if and when there are enough versions in our language.

    You asked the question why the need for so many MVs. The KJV is one of those MVs. Why did we need it?
     
  20. Baptist4life

    Baptist4life Well-Known Member
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    You brought up 1611, not me, and you KNOW it was in reference to the KJV. To put the KJV, from 1611, in with versions from the last 50 years and call it an MV is ridiculous. It WAS an MV, 400 years ago, not now! I can understand the "need" for the NIV, the NKJV, the NASB.....but c'mon...............the number of new versions in the last 50 years is staggering. Why the need for so many?





    Also, why not address the second part of my last post? As a mod, I would think it your responsibility to treat EVERYONE with the same respect, and make sure other posters do the same. I have been flabbergasted by the un-Christlike way people are talked to and treated on this "Christian" forum! And I'm not talking about just myself. There a many others being treated badly. There is even a whole thread about it. I have been told to develop a "thicker skin" to "lighten up" etc. I'm sorry, but I don't think either of those things should be necessary on a "Christian" forum where Christians are supposed to be discussing things.



    Perhaps, if you are guilty of those things, or overlooking others who are guilty too, then you should remove yourself from being a moderator. WHY is it so obvious to the newer people on here, but seemingly non-existent to the "regulars"? I post on a lot of other forums and NONE are as unfriendly as this one, even non-Christian ones! Something to think about.....................seriously!
     
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