The New ESV & Do We Have Too Many Versions Out There?

The multiplication of translations does bring into question the purpose of God in all of this diversity in His precious word. Is He unconcerned about the divisions among His people about some of the specific wordings that are being presented in various versions?

 

Division is a result of our lack of obedience to the Spirit than it is to any "specific wordings... in various versions."

Th KJV by itself has provoked "division" through the ages.

Don't blame the "Book" blame the "users".

 

Regarding "modern English translations of which we have not seen the end yet (may their numbers go on increasing!)" F.F.Bruce History of the Bible in English,page 153)

 

I can think of a number of things which I do not like see increasing,but Bible translations? I do want to see them increasing. God is pleased. It doesn't factor in with "wickedness increasing" ya'know.

 

My viewpoint on the cause of rapid update of new translations is MONEY. And it is very sad that the Word of God should be handled in this way!

 

Very worthwhile comments Amy and most timely!

 

There's no doubt that the love of money is the leading factor, IMHO. All you have to do is walk into Lifeway and look at the shelves filled with bibles. Like the grocery store isle filled with every kind of chip they can cram on the shelves. God's word has been turned into merchandise to be promoted just like pototo chips. Yes, hunters have to have one with a camo cover, these days. How many people buy those for gifts without glancing at what version is hiding underneath the bushes?

Their store is filled with "religious" coffee mugs, greeting cards, salt & pepper shakers.... "stuff". Current mailer includes a two week bible sale on "select" bibles. Save 50% on the flavor of the week along with Jesus Love Me tumblers at $5.

Last time I was in there Beth Moore and Courageous met me at the door.

Bible versions are just like cars. Trade in the old every year for a new and improved model. I'm sure auto designers have new concepts to introduce annually for many years in the future. Hoping to time the releases to match the fickle trends of the masses. Are major bible publishing companies any different? One arm publishes bibles, while another publishes porn. Who's at the head?

 

Just be thankful that we have such a wide variety of quality versions to chose from for use, its not like "good old days" where it was just KJV or none!

 

I don't think there ever was a time when there was "just KJV or none" at least in the USA. KJV may have been most used but other English versions were used by Christians also, AFAIK.

 

Other then catholic bibles though...

What versions were there between say 1800-1900?

 

Columbus "discovered" North America in 1492. The KJV was first printed in England in May 1611. Other English bibles were in use in the colonies during the 100+ years before 1611 and afterwards. If memory serves (correct me if I'm wrong) some of our founding fathers were using other English bibles in 1776.

 

http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-english-bible-history/

 

Here's a few English translations that might have been available during that time period- Most are NT translations.

Wesley's New Testament, 1755

Alexander Campbell's New Testament- 1826

John Nelson Darby's New Testament- circa 1856, OT published 1890

ERV- 1881 and 1885

 

1881-1885 the Revised Version [English]

1901 the American Standard Version [American version of above]

 

Apparently the Plymouth colony used the Geneva Bible which predated the KJV.

 

A Note:

Christians were martyred by the Roman Catholic communion for translating the Scripture into English. It is a disgrace that the translation of these Scripture has become so commercialized.

 

Money was needed to make them happen, and still thankful for such a variety of Good bible versions available for use by the church of today!