I thought about posting this in another thread about versions used in churches, but didn't want to derail it.
Why has the ESV become so popular? I know Crossway has done a marvelous job of marketing it and a lot of the "big name" people have jumped onto the bandwagon, but that doesn't really answer the question of why the bandwagon exists in the first place. Why did it initially become popular?
I have one and I use it occasionally, but IMO it really isn't an improvement over the NASB. It seems almost as wooden in many places, OT especially, and less clear than the more dynamic translations.
If you love your ESV, why do you like it so much?
BTW, I'm not hating on the ESV. It seems to be a fine translation. I doubt so many would accept it if it weren't. I just personally don't get it.
EDIT: I meant to make he title all caps - ESV. Can a Mod change that?
Esv
Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by RLBosley, Jun 13, 2014.
Page 1 of 8
-
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I'm still trying to figure out why the NIV became so popular.
-
-
InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
But I don't believe that is the reason. The ESV is no more Calvnistic in it's translation than say the NASB or HCSB. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
-
InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
http://esvstudybible.org/contributors/
Then trawl through the posts here on BB and notice that the ESV is the preferred version for most of the Calvinists. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
I use it in my personal study and here on the BaptistBoard.
I use the NIV when teaching bible class because it reads easier and many in the class use it.
Why do I like the ESV?
- Essentially literal
- Modern formatting aids in delineating structure
- Modernized eclectic Greek text
- Updated Hebrew text utilizing early sources when appropriate.
Rob - Essentially literal
-
Hi RL, here is your statement: "The ESV is no more Calvnistic in it's translation than say the NASB or HCSB."
This could be simply a mantra, yet another of the dogmatic fictions presented by Calvinists, or you could be expressing what you actually believe is true.
Lets assume you were not being disingenuous. What evidence would convince you that the ESV, the NLT and the NIV are Calvinistic. Please provide specific criteria.
In a previous thread I provided 3 or 4 verses, which demonstrated Calvinistic renderings that deviated from the NKJV, HCSB, NET, and NASB. -
As for Cals using the ESV here. That doesn't prove anything. It's purely anecdotal and I've seen a lot use the KJV and the NIV too.
So from my (limited) understanding the issue isn't that the translators or the translation are more Calvinistic than the others.
Maybe because it is the most recent, "literal" translation?
Maybe that's the issue. Cals tend to favor the more literal translations it seems. Perhaps that's why the ESV does well in reformed circles? -
I'm not being disingenuous. I'm really curious. Unwarranted attack on the character of Calvinists aside, do you have a link to that previous post? -
InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
-
InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
See:
https://www.facebook.com/ReformedBaptist/posts/201615266518963 -
I can't go to the link ATM. Can you summarize? -
InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
It has the push of a major publisher behind it, getting it into church curriculums
It has the translators/persons using it and recommended it as big names within reformed/Calvinistic circles
It does use the critical gtexts, and is somewhat more smoother reading than say the nasb is, the closest comparison to it among MV
Would say that the esv is a fine version to use to study from, but to me, its big flaw is that it tries to mediate between the Niv/Nasb, as it reads easier then the Nas, but not as easy as the Niv, nor as accurate to the texts as the nasb!
Think that the esv is THE choice among reformed, Niv among evangelicals, while Nasb/NKJV still popular among conservative Baptists!
And also think that the SBC version HCSB does better what the esv attempted to do!
Page 1 of 8