christian standard bible

I haven't bought one yet, but what i read on their website seemede to be pretty good.

The main differences I saw were the HCSB clarifies some of the sticky verses through punctuation (I read John chapter 1).

In Christ,
Trotter

 

I think the HCSB (Holman Christian
Standard Bible) is better then
the nKJV (New King James Version).

But i'll probably have to teach
my sunday school class for 8½-years
before i can say that for sure.

 

1 Thessalonians 2:3 (nKJV)

Let no one deceive you by any means;
for that Day will not come unless
the falling away comes first,
and the man of sin is revealed,
the son of perdition,

1 Thessalonians 2:3 (HCSB):

Don't let anyone deceive you in any way.
For that day will not come unless
the apostasy comes first
and the man of lawlessness is revealed,
the son of destruction.

I like the nKJV here.
I believe the "falling away" is the
pretribulation Rapture/resurrection here.

 

Hi, Dawna Marie!

From what I have read the HCSB seems to be somewhere between the KJV/NKJV/NASB (word-for-word) and the NIV (thought-for-thought). Although I have not read enough of the HCSB to decide if it is my favorite version, I have been impressed with it.

BTW, my wife's name is Donna Marie. Small world!

 

I think the HSCB calls its approach "optimal equivalence," somewhere in between dynamic and literal. Just a few days ago, I bought a pocket-size HCSB to take on trips but haven't used it too much yet. I had already read parts of the NT. Since I don't limit myself to only one Bible version, I can't say that I'll start using the HCSB exclusively, but I have enjoyed what I've seen so far. Easy to read, but not too loose. As I study more, however, I'm sure I'll find ample reasons to despise and condemn it.

 

I have a copy of "Experiencing the Word Through the Gospels", which is Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the HCSB with devotional notes by Henry Blackaby. It also has word studies of some of the Greek words, which are great. I like what I have read so far, but I am curious as to the translation of a particular passage. In Matthew 6:22-23, the HCSB translates it :

22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is generous, your whole body will be full of light.
23 But if your eye is stingy, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness--how deep is that darkness!

Any ideas why they chose stingy? I thought it kind of wierd. Other than that, it reads very well.

Shawn

 

Good question, Shawn! As a matter of fact, the folks at Holman must have asked themselves the same question!

I purchased a copy of the Experiencing the Word New Testament last October, before the entire Bible was available in print. In the passage you question there are footnotes for both words - "generous" and "stingy."

The footnote for "generous" says: Lit simple, or single, or clear, or healthy, or sincere.

The footnote for "stingy" says: Lit evil, or envious, or bad.

When the entire Bible came out in April I purchased a copy. The same passage is worded a bit differently.

The online version found at StudyLight.org has the latter reading, as does the online version at Lifeway's own web site. I'm beginning to wonder just how many New Testament changes were timed to coincide with the release of the Old Testament? Could it be that the HCSB is a "work in progress?"

 

sdnesmith

I have read some of the HCSB on the net and in some church materials. It seems alright, though I still prefer the ESV.

Several months back, our Sunday school lesson used these verses. We use the Lifeway SS commentaries, which are keyed to the KJV. The KJV says:

"...if therefore thine eye be single..." and "But if thine eye be evil..."

Surprisingly, the commentary 'interpreted' these as generous and stingy, just as the HCSB. Other versions say clear or healthy and bad, which make more sense when compared with my interlinear and Strongs.

As I understand, both Holman and Lifeway are both somehow affilated with the SBC. So I was wondering if this is where the connection is?

Hmmm...interesting

 

Keith M

Looks like you got your post in as I was 'composing' mine!

It certainly sheds more light on the situation. Looks like "growing pains" in the publishing world!

Thanks Keith M

 

Hi, Michael52!

You mention that Holman & Lifeway seem to be connected to the SBC. Holman (aka Broadman & Holman) is in fact the publishing arm of the SBC, while Lifeway is the retail arm of the SBC. One big happy family!

Curious...what part of East Tennessee are you from? I have relatives in Coryton, Knoxville, Maynardville, Sneedville and Washburn. I think sometimes that I am related to at least half of East Tennessee...

 

Hello, Keith M

I live near Sevierville, in Sevier County. Famous for Dolly, the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and about 10 million 'tourons' clogging the roads.
If you're related to anybody in Sevier County, then we're probably cousins! Years ago, before the Nat. Park, this area was VERY remote - so we're also famous for inbreeding (shhh...don't let that out)!

 

Michael,

You ever get down this way? Ocoee River, Cherokee National Forest, Pathway Christian Bookstore?

I love getting up in your neck of the woods, but we never leave without spending way too much money at the outlets in Pigeon Forge. We avoid Gatlinburg, though. I hate to pey to park, and you have to walk everywhere (ooooh, exercise...). I do enjoy Ripley's Aquarium, though!

If you're down this way, give me a holler!

In Christ,
Trotter

 

Hello, Trotter

Years ago, I used to 'pass-by' Cleveland a lot, on I-75, on my way to and from South Pittsburgh. There was a McDonalds I stopped at frequently on one of the Cleveland exits (I think? - its been awhile). Anyway, I might get back that way one of these days.

I sure hope I didn't scare Keith M with my hillbilly humor...you reckon?

Back to the topic. I'll probably purchase the HCSB soon. I figure Lifeway will soon go to it exclusively in the discipleship training materials we use.

 

You're probably right about Lifeway going to it. But at least it is a translation that I can read without worry.

 

Trotter

Wow, you answered fast!

Yes, I agree. From eveything I've seen reported about it, it seems to rely on sound conservative scholorship for its translation. What I've read myself seems OK. Though IMO they may have gone a little to far in 'updating' some of the most familiar passages (ie check PS 23). Of course, what I read was the pre-published version on their website. As Jeff M pointed out, it was probably still in flux at the time.

 

Ain't nuthin' settled until the rain does it.

Even the KJV shifts on occassion.

 

http://bible.crosswalk.com has The Holman Christian Standard Bible - New Testament searchable online.

 

Nah - you guys didn't scare me away. Heck, I probably have more "hillbilly" blood in me than the rest of Ohio combined! I put my wife in the hospital on May 18th and although she is back home now she requires more of my time as she recovers from a bad case of anemia. This week has been very hectic, and the internet has not been one of my priorities for a while. I didn't intend to make you guys think I "turned tail and ran"...