Hello All! I just graduated Seminary and I am looking for a church. I was wondering what version of the Bible(KJV. NIV, ESV, NKJ) do you like or use. I live in Texas and grew up on the NIV. Some churches that I talk to are only KJV. I use all for refrence/wording. Just would like some input. Thanks
Bible Version
Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by drake13, Sep 9, 2012.
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preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I use the HCSB for preaching and teaching.
For study and preparation I'll use the ESV, NET, NASU, & NIV11. If I'm working in the OT I also use the JPS Tanakh Study Bible.
Beware if a church makes a translation a make it or break it issue in their hiring and expectations. It is usually a sign of things to come. -
Thank you for the response
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I would say you only need look out for 2 extremes:
1. The church only allows one translation, and belittles or demonizes all others: (KJV is most common, but some reformed-heads are some-what ESV only...not necessarily healthy...)
2. The church that uses a very loose paraphrase (Like the Message) for EVERYTHING... will probably not have much deep bible study or textual preaching...(I'm not saying they can't use it occasionally to bring in a different veiwpoint on a passage...but it is not really a translation. It's a paraphrase.
Every church will have the translation they use the most...and that's fine... -
1) Beware of any church that makes it their "test of fellowship" (not only for other preachers [which I am not since (so far anyway) God has not chosen this 66-YO (46 yrs. of which have been in God's family) disabled and never-been-married male to call him to preach (much less to be a pastor]), BUT ALSO for laypersons that EVERYONE MUST USE the KJV OR ELSE [This would even extend even to foreign-born/native-born missionaries merely seeking a venue to present their work to said local church!!]!!!
2) Be very careful NEVER to indicate that you have even A MERE interest in seventeenth-century British culture (including their history, religion, politics & day-to-day life!!!). Making that mistake is what caused me to be PERMANENTLY BANNED from one internet forum!!!
(Why that internet forum considered me such a dangerous threat to their existence they never bothered to explain to me!! :smilewinkgrin: ) -
Most places I preach want to use whatever the preacher is using. In my case I use the NIV '11. But I had I used the NRSV, I'm sure that is what folks would have gone with.
I would also say whatever version you use, stick with it! Some like to jump around from version to version for a particular wording, this in my opinion proves more confusing and less helpful. -
Would say even more important than what Bible the church uses, is how much of it they apply! -
I am not a Pastor, but I think a church should have a version they use in Sunday School and WOL or Awana or whatever, as the memorization of scripture is easier. However, this sometimes can cause problems if the S.S. Teacher (I teach 5th/6th Grade boys) doesn't make children feel good about their version. I have had boys say I don't have the right version when they see that theirs is different. I tell them that it is okay and that different versions can say the same thing in different ways. I tell them to use the version their parents gave them and to study it, as that is the important thing. Our pastor rarely mentions versions as he says it is too divisive in Baptist churches. -
We need to add a "like" or "+1" vote function to BB, and then allow me to vote 100 times so I can express my total agreement with you.
I attended a congregation (never joined, was looking for a home church) where the teaching pastors liked to mix up the translations they used each week. I rather like that practice, as it demonstrates most English versions are reliable. It also proved somewhat refreshing to occasionally hear a seemingly familiar passage in a different (and sometimes better) translation. -
Thanks for all the responses. God Bless
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If I'm reading for pleasure and especially Psalms or Job: KJV.
If I'm reading to study: Darby
If I'm practicing talking or want to read for pleasure AND understand all the words: CJB
I compare all three and sometimes include a number of others when comparing, but those are my three. -
I like the nkjv. I use it 95% of the time.
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I like the NIV84, NASB, and KJV/NKJV the most.
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And for me......
Just a happy KJV only guy here. For the record I do have many other translations/versions which I may occasionally do some verse comparisons with....but I always use only my KJV for reading and study. A good Strongs Concordance and a Websters Dictionary usually will clear up any of the issues with the (supposed) archaic words. But I also have the following:
-Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
-Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity (excellent)
-Interlinear Greek-English New Testament by George Ricker Berry
-Nave's Topical Bible
-and a very old volume that I picked up in a thrift store entitled:
"The Comprehensive Analysis of the Bible" published in 1922 by the Southwestern Company of Nashville Tenn.
Bro.Greg -
Primarily the NASB but reference many others a lot. Sometimes I just walk over to the bookshelf and pick a translation at random to read. But to break it down with the most used, it goes like this:
Study: NASB mostly
Just reading: ESV, Holman, NLTse
Also I just left a church over the KJV only issue. A couple were willing to learn, some were willing to agree to disagree and move on and the rest were an adamant NO. So I said goodbye and moved on to a more modern contemporary Church. -
Just used Biblegateway to look up this verse as I couldn't remember where I'd read it. http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=confusion&qs_version=KJV
1 Corinthians 14: KJB
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
The OP wanted input on KJB only churches. Mine isn't. Pew Bibles are one version and our pastor preaches/teaches from another. While many use the KJB, just about every current "flavor" is represented among our membership.
A few months ago, we had a Bible study series, entitled Hearing the Word. This study included some readings from the KJB by Alexander Scourby and members reading chapters from their own Bibles. There's something special about hearing the Word while reading along, that I don't have words to describe.
However, when the same Bible version for both reading and hearing isn't used, there is a jarring note of confusion taking place. First, it's difficult to keep up when the words being heard aren't the same ones being read. Focus moves from concentration on God's word to the mechanics of following along in our own Bibles.
However, that isn't the worst of it. The worst is when the words being heard are different in meaning from the words being read. "My Bible doesn't say that!" brings confusion to the forefront. At a minimum, it breaks the train of concentration on the context of the passages being read aloud. Further the mental debate, that often follows, disrupts, as there's usually a scramble in trying to catch up again with the reader, who has moved on.
Confusion? Yes.
The same confusion that exists when the pew Bibles are one version and the pastor uses another. And, or Sunday school teachers use different versions from those in the quarterly. And, or the quarterly uses a different version from our primary one of usage. If God isn't the author of confusion, who is the source of that confusion?
Shouldn't independent Baptist churches choose and recommend a particular Bible version for primary usage during worship/study during assembly? Wouldn't this approach remove the element of confusion, as everyone is on the same page, so to speak?
In closing, I suspect this question wouldn't be in debate, if the OP had said he has encountered NIV only churches. Or, NASB, Holman, etc. How many would respond to the OP by saying that an NIV only church is suspect? To be approached with caution and possibly be rejected because of their position on usage of this Bible version?
Sometimes I wonder if a Baptist church choosing the NWT or the NJB as their primary Bible would bring about as much negativity as one choosing the KJB. After all, any Bible version contains God's word, as is often said by those on the crusade to negate the KJB at every opportunity.
Brother Greg, at this point, I'm not KJB only, as there's a Holman, NIV, and a 1929 ASB within arms length, as I type. Along with several others. That said, the KJB is the one that I pick up first. It is the one that I take with me almost everywhere I go. It is the one that I give to others, when the opportunity presents itself. -
Thank You
Oldtimer...I almost don't know where to start...that was such a good post! I also don't want to hijack this thread. First of all let me say thank you for that link to Websters 1828 version....I flagged that one into my favorites list! I already have several on-line Bibles including Bible Gateway flagged and they are all quite helpful.
As to confusion...what you described is happening in churches all over our land and it is both regretable and avoidable. As you know,I am a KJV guy and I am particularly sensitive to this kind of thing. I currently attend a moderate-size conservative SBC church that is NOT KJVO and have been there for nearly 9 years now. The pew Bibles are KJV's as are the Quarterlies (at least the ones my SS class uses). My Pastor preaches from the KJV (although I have heard him quote from something else on rare occasions). I can tell you that I respectfully told him directly that if he ever chose to switch to another version in his preaching I would be departing. he told me he didn't think that would ever be a problem. he's a young man (early 40's) but very old-fashioned in his preaching. It does sadden me to see so many of the young people carrying NIV's,NLT's,CEV's and such as those (those that even carry a Bible to church...many of them don't). How they even follow the preaching I'll never know.
You made the statement above, " After all, any Bible version contains God's word, as is often said by those on the crusade to negate the KJB at every opportunity." I would agree that that is true as these newer versions DO "contain" the word of God....at least in watered down,diluted fashion and most of the time with assorted footnotes that call the AUTHORITY of significant portions of it into serious question. That is why I am a KJV guy. I like a Bible that is not riddled with ommissions and corrections and that retains it's authority. So far, my church and my Pastor does not stand in the pulpit and question that authority. If he ever does...I'm outta there.Ok...I'm done but thanks for your post and your perspective on things.
Bro.Greg:type: -
Even reading from the same version does not guarantee synonymous reading- just ask any missionary to a Latin American country. It sounds like Babel when we try to read in "unison".
I personally think it is great when people begin to question why one Bible reads different than another. It leads to great study times for us- makes us go back to the original languages and get a better feel for what the author was really trying to say versus what someone has interpreted for us. English is very lacking when it comes to expressing many Biblical thoughts. -
It does seem less confusing in typical churches to have one that is regularly used.
That said, I did attend a small church for a while where it was much more interactive. We discussed things back and forth between the pastor a lot or he'd have us go into little groups and discuss a verse and come back with what we each thought of it.
Quite often, we'd stop at a verse and he'd ask who had a different version and everyone with a different version would read theirs out loud and that seemed to help clarify stuff, so in that church, having everyone bringing different ones turned out to be quite helpful.
That might work in a Sunday School, but I guess the majority of churches are too big for that to be a normal style of service.
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