what BIBLE is right for YOU? EVENT WORKBOOK
The Problem: Bible Paralysis This workbook belongs to: Not long ago, I was talking to a friend of mine, a pastor in South Florida, who is ministering among people who have never been to church before. He told me he was talking with a young man who wanted to hear more about Christianity and learn about what the church teaches. So, this pastor recommended he pick up a Bible. He went to a local bookstore and headed to the Bible section, where there was a whole wall lined up with Bibles all the types of Bibles you can imagine: different translations, different sizes, different colors, different covers, different study notes, for different ages. Feeling overwhelmed and a little exasperated, he thought to himself, I need the holy Bible. Where is the Bible? So he went back to the pastor and said, Well, I guess I ve learned something: there are a lot of Bibles out there. How do I know which one to start reading? (continued on next page) 1
Bible Paralysis (continued) I call this Bible paralysis. The number of Bible choices out there can paralyze the person who wants to make a good decision. And since most people in our society have a high regard for the Bible as a source of spiritual truth, it makes the fear of choosing the wrong Bible even stronger. Some people want to throw their hands up and not make a choice at all. Have you ever suffered from Bible paralysis? How did it make you feel? Most of you here today might not be in the same situation as that man, who was brand new to the church and to the Christian faith. But maybe you ve struggled, too, with what Bible to read, or how to make a decision on a Bible for your child or grandchild. Or maybe you ve wondered why there are so many translations out there, and you want to make sure that you have a translation that accurately represents the intention of the original authors and the words from the original languages (Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic). Whatever the case, you re reading this because you hope to be guided into making better-informed decisions about the best Bible for you, your church, or your family. We re here to help. So we ll start by showing you how to choose a translation of the Bible. Then, we re going to look at your selection of a Bible: how to navigate the different kinds of Bibles and all the sizes, shapes, and study options that are available. A Common Question: Which is the best translation? The answer is another question: Best for what? As a Bible publisher, we sometimes get asked, What s the best English translation? Our response to that is always to ask another question: Best for what? You see, you can t answer the question, What s the best translation? until you have clarity on the purpose for which you are choosing a Bible. Are you looking primarily for something that is word-for-word, as close to the original languages as possible, even if it is sometimes difficult to read in English? Something for deep study? Or are you looking primarily for one that translates the meaning of the original what we call a thought-for-thought translation while also prioritizing readability and clarity in contemporary English? Either of those translation types can be useful, but it s helpful to know what you re looking for: the best Bible translation for what purpose? Many people have found it helpful to use a variety of translations at different times for different reasons. There s not a best translation, but there are many good translations that are useful for different purposes. So, let s figure out how to navigate through the many translations out there. Which Bible translation do you currently prefer and why? 2 3
Two Types of Translations: Literal and Dynamic Let s start with translation philosophy. There are two ends of a spectrum here: the highly literal, word-for-word translations of the Bible and the very dynamic, thought-for-thought translations. A literal translation wants to find a word-for-word equivalent for every sentence. For example, the New King James Version translates 1 Peter 1:13 this way: Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully on the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The initial command here, to gird up the loins of your mind, is a metaphor in the original language that would be similar to us saying roll your sleeves up today, as if you re about to get busy doing something. A highly literal translation will usually come across metaphors like this and translate the original words, leaving it for the reader to do personal study to come to understand the meaning. A dynamic translation wants to find a thought-for-thought equivalent for every sentence. For example, a more dynamic translation, such as the New Living Translation, renders 1 Peter 1:13 this way: So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. This translation wants to explain the language of the original. It translates the meaning of gird up your loins as prepare your minds for action, and it adds some theological interpretation to the rest of the verse, explaining that the word grace in the original refers to God s gracious salvation. It also explains that the revelation of Jesus Christ means the day when Christ is revealed to the world. In these cases, the translators are adding some words and phrases here to bring out what they believe to be the meaning contained in the words of the original. The purpose is to make the meaning clear and explicit. _Now, you may ask, which of these translations is best? It depends. For serious Bible study of the original words, you are going to want a more literal translation so you can consider the meaning on your own. For easy-to-understand Bible reading, or if you want to get a newcomer to God s Word into the Bible, you might prefer the more dynamic translation that will make the meaning clear. Which appeals to you: a literal or dynamic translation, and why? 4 5
The Translation Spectrum: From Literal to Dynamic Most of today s Bible translations fit somewhere in between the most literal and most dynamic. Using this same verse, 1 Peter 1:13, let s move across the spectrum from most literal to most dynamic, and see what many of the major English Bible translations do with this verse. The Christian Standard Bible takes a similar approach: Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Here s the King James Version, a very literal rendering: Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ As we saw earlier, here is the way the New King James Version updates that verse, but stays very literal, word-for-word: Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully on the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The English Standard Version is also very literal here, but this translation explains the metaphor of gird up your loins, while including the word-for-word gird up your loins as a footnote. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As we move across the spectrum, we see how the New International Version leans a little more dynamic, or thought-for-thought, here by making explicit the idea of Jesus being revealed at his coming : Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As we saw earlier, the New Living Translation is even more dynamic, explaining both grace as gracious salvation and making explicit the revelation of Jesus to the world: So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. The Message is perhaps the most dynamic of all, to the point many do not consider it to be a translation, strictly speaking, but one man s paraphrase of the Bible: So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that s coming when Jesus arrives. 6 7
Making a Translation Choice So which of these translations of this verse is best? All of these translations have their merits, strengths, and weaknesses. What NOT to Do: Compare the translations and pick the one you like. What you do not want to do is to go online and compare them and then pick the variation you like the best. This is not a healthy way to choose a Bible translation. The most important things to look for are accuracy, trustworthiness, and understandability and not just a rendering that suits you. In the past, what steps have you taken in making a decision regarding translations? Three Things to Look for: 1. Accurate: Is this a text that seeks to be faithful to the original languages (which most Christians are unfamiliar with)? We need the good work of scholars and translators to take the original languages of Greek and Hebrew and translate these manuscripts into contemporary English. 2. Trustworthy: Is this a text that other people consider to be faithful to the originals? Does your pastor think this is a good translation? Are there Bible study leaders or teachers who you trust who point to this translation? Are there Bible scholars and people who know the original languages who speak highly of this translation? 3. Understandable: Is this a text that you will actually read? It shouldn t require you to have a higher IQ or an academic degree in order to understand it. Like the language of the original Greek, it is translated in a way that is easy to understand. LifeWay Research has shown that difficulty understanding the Bible is the #2 reason why people say they don t read the Bible regularly. (The #1 reason is I don t have time, which is an issue of priority [kind of like exercising] and something that a translation can t resolve. But translation committees can do something about making the Bible easier to understand. That s a goal of all good translations.) (continued on next page) 8 9
Three Things to Look for: (continued) So, if you re doing serious Bible study that requires word-for-word precision even when readability or understandability in contemporary English is going to be sacrificed, you may go with a translation such as the New American Standard Bible. The King James Version and New King James Version also belong to the family of literal translations. The English Standard Version is a more recent example of a fine translation that puts a high priority on being word-for-word. If you re looking to read through major sections of the Bible, or you re giving a Bible to someone who may be encountering God s Word for the first time, you might consider a more thought-forthought translation, such as the New Living Translation or the New International Version. If you re looking for a translation that does both of these things well, and combines accuracy and readability in a way that sacrifices neither, then we recommend the Christian Standard Bible. Research has shown the CSB to be an optimal blend of literal and readable, so that it is ideal for serious Bible study, preaching, and teaching, and also ideal for sharing and reading with understanding in contemporary English. Still, the Bible, even when translated in a way that is both accurate and readable, is not an easy book. There are 66 books in this God-inspired library! There are all sorts of theological statements, strange stories, interesting poems, and memorable proverbs. Sometimes, the Bible doesn t all seem to fit together. You ll read a story and be inspired, then come across sayings of Jesus that seem downright mysterious, and you don t know what they mean. Even if the translation is easy to understand, you may find that you need help interpreting the Bible. That leads us to the next part of our journey today. Once you ve settled on a particular translation, what kind of tools do you need in your Bible as you try to understand God s Word? At this point, what has changed in your understanding of the different translations available? 10 11
Which Bible Is Best for Me? Once you ve settled on a translation, let s consider the different kinds of Bibles available in that translation. Even then, when you ve got a translation you prefer (say, the NKJV or the CSB), you ll find a variety of options available. What questions should you ask about these Bibles? Consider these three. Question #1: Which Bible Will I Actually Read? The average American household owns four Bibles. But only 37% of Americans say they read the Bible every week. You know what that means? We re a nation where spiritual weapons are stockpiled but rarely used. The Book of Hebrews compares the Word of God to a sword that pierces our hearts and judges our thoughts. So the first thing you should consider when it comes to choosing a Bible is this: Which Bible will I actually read? Consider the size of the print. In addition to the readability of the translation (which we discussed earlier), you need to consider the readability of the text itself as it is printed. As you get older, you may need a larger print version. In the Christian Standard Bible, for example, there are Super Giant Print versions, Giant Print versions, large print versions, and then regular print versions. If you need a larger Bible to be able to read, you should consider one of these. Consider the size of the Bible itself. If you want a Bible to carry with you different places maybe not as your primary reading Bible but when you re traveling somewhere, or you re out and about you may consider a pocket Bible. There are various editions of pocket Bibles, some with larger print and some with smaller, but they are usually easy to carry and fit in your bag or your coat pocket. Of course, you may want a more standard-size Bible for use at church. These are larger than pocket Bibles but still thin enough to fit easily in your purse or case, and are easy to read and accessible. Consider the presentation of the text. Some Bibles have cross-references. We call them reference Bibles. This means that you ll find notations that point you to related verses elsewhere in the Bible. This is a fantastic way of doing Bible study, if you like to see how the Bible fits together and points to other, similar sections that are helpful as you try to understand the Bible. In recent years, there s been a trend in Bible publishing back toward simplicity where the presentation of the text of Scripture is simplified. Some Bibles leave ample room in the margins so people can take notes. You can see this in the different kinds of Note- Taking Bibles and Journaling Bibles. The She Reads Truth Bible is an example of a Bible where the text is presented in a single column, with plenty of room in the margins for note-taking. Sometimes, you just want to read the Bible not in preparation to teach or preach or for doing extensive Bible study. You just want to soak in God s Word. In these cases, you might consider a Reader s Bible. A Reader s Bible is simplified so that it mirrors the original manuscripts in that it doesn t include cross-references, footnotes, or even chapter and verse numbers. A Reader s Bible focuses on the reading experience. 12 13
Question #2: Which Bible Will I Study? The second question you should ask is this: Which Bible will I study? God wants us to read and soak in the Scriptures. He also wants us to consider the truths of the Bible, to mull over them, reflect on them, and study them. The point of all this analysis is adoration. God does not want us to merely study His Word, but to adore Him as the God who gave us this Word. We don t merely read to learn; we read to worship. But maybe you ve tried to do Bible study before and it has been a daunting task. You ve felt unequipped or unqualified. For this reason, a good study Bible may be an excellent resource to consider. Standard Study Bibles The most basic and thorough study Bibles tend to come alongside popular translations. For example, the ESV Study Bible provides a wealth of resources and interpretive helps for people who are reading the ESV. The CSB Study Bible is a full-color Bible with thousands of notes, articles, maps, and helps. The Zondervan NIV Study Bible also contains a wealth of resources, as does the Holman Study Bible in the NKJV and KJV. These study Bibles, each of which is beautifully presented, will give you insight into the original context of the Bible, different interpretations of controversial verses, the meanings of important Greek and Hebrew words, and maps and pictures that help you envision the places, buildings, and events described in Scripture. Specialized Study Bibles There are also study Bibles that focus in on particular subjects. For example, The Apologetics Study Bible provides notes and articles that help people understand why they believe what they believe. It offers readers help in defending their faith when it is questioned or denied by others. A tremendous source of scholarship for today is the Study Bible for Women, which was developed by female scholars for female readers. The Life Application Bible offers study notes that lead to application: how can we obey these biblical texts that we are reading? These are all helpful resources that will get you into the Bible with the tools you need to do serious study. Dig deep in God s Word, so that God s Word can take root deep in your heart and bear fruit. What features in a study Bible do you find most beneficial? 14 15
Question #3: Which Bible Should I Give? The Bible isn t meant only to be studied. It s meant to be shared. A third question you should ask is this: Who should I give a Bible to? What kids or student Bibles have you used with your family? Kids Bibles Maybe you re looking at giving a Bible to a child at church or to your own child. In this case, you ll want to consider the question: What will this child be able to read and understand? Choose a translation that is accurate and readable, so that the child won t have difficulty understanding it. Then, look at the different kids Bibles that are available. Are they inviting and welcoming? Are there notes and helps that give the child an overview of what the Bible means? For example, The Big Picture Interactive Story Bible, in both the NKJV and CSB translations, includes pictures of many of the most important Bible stories along with information about how the Bible points to Jesus Christ as the center of the Christian faith. The important thing here is that you want the child to open this big book that is filled with eternal truth and dive in. Student Bibles Maybe you re looking at getting a Bible for a teenager or a college student. This is generally a time when young people are beginning to own their faith for themselves when they need to grow in their knowledge and understanding of God s Word. For this reason, you may consider the NIV Study Bible for Students, or you may look at The Apologetics Study Bible for Students, which offers notes and articles on why we believe what we believe. The Essential Teen Study Bible in both the NKJV and CSB includes essential doctrines of the Christian faith explained throughout the biblical text. The point is this: Give students a Bible they will read and understand. Introduce them to the tools that can help them become lifelong Bible readers. Family Members and Friends You may be looking at getting a Bible as a gift for a family member or friend. In this case, you ll want to consider the needs of that person. Perhaps you think a study Bible might be too intimidating for someone who is newer to the Bible. A devotional Bible might be best. These Bibles don t have extensive study notes, but they do have devotional material that helps people maintain a worshipful orientation to their Bible reading. Or maybe you want to give someone a Bible that will be treasured, so you go for a high-end premium leather version in a translation that you know they prefer or that they would benefit from. You could even have the Bible engraved with their name on the front. The point is that you want to give a Bible that you hope they will read. The greatest gift you could offer is not the particular Bible you give, but the transformation that could come through that Bible once it is read. Outreach Bibles Perhaps you want to give out Bibles to a number of people you do not know. In this case, you might consider Outreach Bibles and something like the Here s Hope New Testament. These are affordable Bibles that help you get the Bible into as many hands as possible, so that more and more people are able to benefit from them. Most stores also offer these Bibles in cases, so you can purchase them in bulk and spread them widely. 16 17
Your Takeaways Notes What two to three pieces of information stood out to you the most from this workbook and why? Notes 18 19
Need More Help? Trevin Wax is Bible and Reference Publisher for LifeWay Christian Resources and has served as managing editor of The Gospel Project, a gospel-centered small group curriculum for all ages. He is the teaching pastor at Third Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and is a contributor to numerous publications including The Washington Post, Religion News Service, Christianity Today, and World. Trevin s blog, Kingdom People, is hosted by The Gospel Coalition. We have a Bible Translation Guide available in stores that offers a side-by-side comparison of nine translations. And as always, our expert store associates are happy to help you find just the right Bible for you. 20 21
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