Which Bible translation is best? (John McAthur)

 The common question of which Bible translation to use is very important—it concerns the most important words ever spoken, the words of God the Creator. It’s crucial to understand at the outset that behind each version is a fundamental philosophy of Bible translation. You want to make sure the version you use reproduces in your own language what God actually said.

Translation Philosophy

You can separate modern Bible translations into two basic groups—formal equivalency and dynamic equivalency. Formal equivalency attempts a word for word rendition, providing as literal a translation as possible. Dynamic equivalency is more like a paraphrase, trying to convey ideas thought by thought.

Since no one language corresponds perfectly to any other language, every translation involves some degree of interpretation. A translation based on formal equivalency has a low degree of interpretation; translators are trying to convey the meaning of each particular word. When faced with a choice between readability and accuracy, formal equivalency translators are willing to sacrifice readability for the sake of accuracy.

By its very nature, a translation based on dynamic equivalency requires a high degree of interpretation. The goal of dynamic equivalency is to make the Bible readable, conveying an idea-for-idea rendering of the original. That means someone must first decide what idea is being communicated, which is the very act of interpretation. How the translators view Scripture becomes extremely important in the final product.

Sadly, there are many in the Bible-translation industry who have a low view of the Scripture. They think the Bible is merely a product of man, replete with mistakes, contradictions, and personal biases. Many translators today have also adopted the postmodern idea of elevating the experience of the reader over the intention of the author. They make the contemporary reader sovereign over the text and demote the intended meaning of the historic human writers who were carried along by one divine author (2 Peter 1:19-21).

Therefore, it’s vital that you find a translation that represents what the Holy Spirit actually said as faithfully as possible. Who’s interested in some contemporary translation committee’s spin on what they think contemporary readers want to read? We want to read what the author intended us to read, which is what the Holy Spirit originally inspired.

Translation Survey

The most popular dynamic-equivalency translations, which dominate the evangelical world, are the New International Version (NIV), Today’s New International Version (TNIV), The Message (MSG), The Living Bible (TLB), the Good News Bible (GNB), and the New Living Translation (NLT). Of those, the NIV is the most reliable.

The NIV was completed in 1978. Its translators did not attempt to translate strictly word for word, but aimed more for equivalent ideas. As a result, the NIV doesn’t follow the exact wording of the original Greek and Hebrew texts as closely as the King James Version and New American Standard Bible versions do. Nevertheless, it can be considered a faithful translation of the original texts, and its lucid readability makes it quite popular, especially for devotional reading.

The four most popular formal equivalency translations in English are the King James Version (KJV), the New King James Version (NKJV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), and the English Standard Version (ESV).

The KJV is the oldest of the four and continues to be the favorite of many. It is known as the Authorized Version of 1611 because King James I approved the project to create an authoritative English Bible. Although it contains many obsolete words (some of which have changed in meaning), many people appreciate its dignity and majesty. The NKJV is a similar translation, taken from the same group of ancient manuscripts, that simply updates the archaic language of the KJV.

The NASB, completed in 1971 and updated in 1995, is a revision of the American Standard Version of 1901. It is a literal translation from the Hebrew and Greek languages that incorporates the scholarship of several centuries of textual criticism conducted since the original KJV. It quickly became a favorite translation for serious Bible study.

The ESV is the most recent translation, which stands firmly in the formal equivalency tradition. It is a very solid translation in updated language that aims to reproduce the beauty of the KJV. The result is one of the most poetic and beautifully structured versions that maintains a high degree of accuracy and faithfulness to the original languages.

Translation Choice

Which version is the best to use? Ultimately, that choice is up to you. Each of the formal-equivalency versions has strengths and weaknesses, but they are all reliable translations of the Bible. If you want to read a dynamic-equivalency translation, the NIV is the most reliable.

Ideally, as a serious student of Scripture, you should become familiar enough with concordances, word-study aids, and conservative commentaries so that even without a thorough knowledge of the original languages, you can explore the nuances of meaning that arise out of the original texts.

 

For more study on Bible translations, the following resources provide reliable overviews and analyses:

The Canon of Scripture, F. F. Bruce

How to Choose a Bible Translation, Robert L. Thomas

The King James Only Controversy, James White

The King James Version Debate: A Plea for Realism, D. A. Carson

Words of Delight: A Literary Introduction to the Bible, Leland Ryken

The Word of God in English: Criteria for Excellence in Bible Translation, Leland Ryken

Who Knows?

Who Knows?

I write this in the wake of a revelation concerning a well-known Christian government leader who fell into sin. The announcements indicate that he had been caught in an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with another member of parliament, and had continued in it in spite of admonishment. This leader has since resigned from all his government positions and membership in his party. News of this came like a shock wave that reverberated throughout the church and the nation. Few knew about what had happened until the public announcement. A third of the year has gone by. The recent Lent season leading to Good Friday reminds us to keep our eyes on the Cross and Christ crucified for us. We also lift our eyes to see Christ risen and coming for us.

The name of our Lord has been muddied, and there is profound disappointment felt in the Church today. One can only imagine what his family must be feeling now; They are the unseen victims of this tragedy.

This is a time to mourn.

As I reflect on this grievous sorrow, I can’t help thinking about how one can be so popular and active in the public square, and yet conceal such a dark secret.

I can have a glowing public life. Speaking to crowds, featured in magazines, and feted on social media. But in my private life, the things I do in secret - who knows?

I can be famous for the good that I do: Serving the poor and needy, championing the rights of the oppressed and forgotten. Launching new ministries. A prophet for our time. A leader. And the crowds can be amazed at all the good that I can do, and my enemies silenced all the same. But deep inside – who knows?

I could be admired for how I’ve given my life to others, and somehow manage to take care of my family life, my inner life. We assume that one can do so much only because one’s private life has been set in order – or we may even say that one has an ‘anointing’. But who knows?

It is merely the case for public figures that when their struggles and failures are exposed, the whole world will find out and the impact is greater. But this capacity for deceit (for we are surely lying to ourselves) lies within each of us. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.

We all know how to hide. It was the sin that followed quickly after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit.

I feel very much for this now as a pastor. Every Sunday, correction: every day, I am looked upon and expected to speak, to serve, to act blamelessly in every way. To be a man of God. It is so tempting to make it all a show.

Professing humility can be made into a show – for the first thing about it is not to be thinking so much about myself. To profess a love for God can also be a show – for in saying such things I may be vying with God for attention. When is the living real or fake… who knows?

It can even happen at home with my wife and children. It can seem much harder to hide things at home, but it can also be much easier. Who knows? Who knows?

We have turned hiding into an art.

No one can really see when we struggle to keep too many balls in the air, but keep at it as we get egged on by the cheers and jeers. No one, but God.

No one can examine our hearts and find that moment when we justify to ourselves that we are doing a whole lot of good, and lots of people are looking up to me, and therefore I can’t stop now. No one, but God.

No one can see the moments when we choose to disregard His voice – when we stop up our ears and harden our hearts. No one, but God.

And so, if there are 3 things I ask for now, it would be for these:

The virtue of honesty;

The urgency to invite others to hold me accountable;

And most of all, the fear of the Lord.

He knows.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12

Written 19 Jul 2023

Pastor Ng Zhi-wen

Zion Bishan BP Church

Franklin Graham: The Eternal Peril of Progressive Christianity

For decades, a war has been raging against Biblical Christianity that goes under the seemingly innocent name of “progressive Christianity.”

 

It has cropped up in the halls of seminaries, infiltrated the pulpits of thousands of churches and been propagated by a godless liberal media. It is bent on casting doubt and undermining the foundational principles of God’s Word.

 

Many of the Apostle Paul’s letters were written to churches that were experiencing serious doctrinal errors. One of his sternest was penned to the church in Galatia, which is part of modern-day Turkey. In it, he launched into a stern rebuke for the teaching that had polluted the Galatian church:

 

“Progressive Christianity denies the divinely inspired, authoritative truth of the Bible as it intersects every facet of living.”

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” (Galatians 1:6-9, NIV).

 

In the case of the Galatians, Paul was specifically addressing their attempt to return to the demands of the law rather than continuing to live by grace through faith in the sacrificial, atoning work of the cross of Jesus Christ. Such an attempt wasn’t just a really bad idea; it actually would result in living under God’s curse, not His favor.

 

I would say the exact same warning applies today to the advocates of progressive Christianity. They deceitfully promote and proclaim what I believe is clearly a “different gospel, which is really no Gospel at all.”

 

Let me say that again—progressive Christianity is not a Gospel at all. It has nothing to do with the Gospel of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. It results in nothing but spiritual confusion and chaos.

 

Here’s the problem.

 

Progressive Christianity denies the divinely inspired, authoritative truth of the Bible as it intersects every facet of living. For example, although Scripture clearly says that marriage is between one man and one woman, proponents of progressive Christianity twist and distort the truth of God’s Word on sexuality, focusing on such nonsensical trends as gender identity. They deny God’s distinction of the sexes, and instead invent their own misguided standards, unguided by the Word of God. The degrading cultural influences that embrace such movements as gay marriage have more sway on their beliefs than the Bible does.

 

When the topic of justice is discussed, progressive Christianity is primarily concerned with the issues of social and racial justice (which the Bible does address), but most often neglects the far more fundamental issue of God’s justice—how a holy and just God deals with sinful and wicked men.

 

And when it comes to the matter of personal sin, progressive Christianity most frequently fails to see the ruinous consequences of mankind’s depraved, sinful state. Biblical teaching on the precious blood of Christ, the sacrificial, substitutionary, atoning work of Christ’s death on the cross, is too often neglected or distorted.

 

So the real, ultimate danger is that progressive Christianity can send a person to hell.

 

I know that sounds harsh, but it’s true.

 

To reject the deity of Christ is to deny Christ and doom yourself to an eternity spent in hell.

 

To love darkness more than light will end in an eternity in hell.

 

To hope that good works alone will earn salvation, while rejecting the gift of everlasting life through faith in Christ alone, will lead straight into the eternal abyss.

 

To deny the fullness of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit—can risk a person spending their eternity separated from the glory and splendor of God Almighty.

 

“Biblical teaching on the precious blood of Christ, the sacrificial, substitutionary, atoning work of Christ’s death on the cross, is too often neglected or distorted.”

Do you see how anything other than orthodox, Biblical Christianity can be so dangerous and deadly? That’s why the Apostle Paul called down a curse on those who preach a different gospel than the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Here’s how Paul precisely defined the Gospel:

 

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, NKJV).

 

This is the only saving Gospel. Preachers must faithfully proclaim it from the pulpit if they want their congregants to be convicted of their sin and to trust solely in the blood of Christ for the forgiveness of their sins. Praise and worship have their place in the church, but there is no substitute for pastors preaching the power of the cross and the resurrection.

 

Pastors today must “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:2-5, NKJV).

 

There’s certainly nothing very forward thinking about progressive Christianity. It actually regresses into unbiblical thinking and living, and it will put a person’s very soul in eternal jeopardy.

 

Evangelicals need to guard the truth of genuine Scriptural preaching and living, remaining true and bold about exactly what the Bible clearly teaches. There is no other way to be saved and secured for all eternity.

 

 

 

copied from:

 

https://decisionmagazine.com/franklin-graham-the-eternal-peril-of-progressive-christianity/

A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing - Theological Liberalism

 

"Perfect" Greek Bible?

 The "perfect" Greek Bible would refer to a version of the Bible that is written in the original Greek language and is considered to be completely accurate and free from errors. The Bible was originally written in several languages, including Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. The New Testament was written primarily in Greek, and many translations of the Bible are based on the original Greek text. Some Christian believers consider the original Greek text of the Bible to be the most authoritative and accurate version, and may refer to it as the "perfect" Greek Bible. However, it is important to note that there is no one "perfect" version of the Bible, and different translations and versions may be considered more accurate or useful for different purposes.

The term "Perfect Greek Bible" could refer to a number of different things, depending on the context in which it is used. It could refer to a Greek translation of the Bible that is considered particularly accurate or faithful to the original texts, or it could refer to a Greek Bible that is considered to be an ideal or "perfect" version in some other sense.

 

There are several Greek translations of the Bible that are considered to be particularly important or influential, including the Septuagint, the Textus Receptus, and the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece. These translations are all based on different manuscripts and textual traditions, and have been used by different Christian denominations and scholars over the centuries.

 

It is worth noting that, while there are many Greek translations of the Bible that are considered to be high quality and faithful to the original texts, there is no such thing as a "perfect" Greek Bible in the sense of being an error-free or definitive version of the text. All translations are interpretations of the original texts, and different translations may represent the meaning of the original texts in slightly different ways.

Gentle reminder

To all Calvinists, please do not try to be cleverer than John Calvin, do not say anything which John Calvin did not say.

To all the Reformed theologians and students, please do not try to be legalistic, and become a Pharisee.  

Revised Beatitutes of Far Eastern Bible College FEBC

 

Plaque of the Eight beatitudes, St. Cajetan Church, Lindavista, Mexico

Text of the Beatitudes at Our Lady of Peace Shrine, along I-80 in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming (2016).

The eight Revised Beatitudes in FEBC

³Blessed are the rich in Greek language,
    for theirs is the church.
⁴Blessed are those who mourn for the perfect Greek Bible,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵Blessed are they when they are proud of the perfect Greek bible,
    for they will inherit the Earth.
⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for a perfect Greek bible,
    for they will be satisfied.
⁷Blessed are the perfect,
    for they will be shown perfection.
⁸Blessed are the perfect in Greek scripture readings,
    for they will see god.
⁹Blessed are the warmakers,
    for they will be called the sons of god.
¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuting others because of a perfect Greek bible,
    for theirs is the Kingdom on earth.
¹¹Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of a perfect Greek bible.
¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward on earth, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Denomination and its emphasis and weakness

Pentecostal-Holy Spirit, Prosperity, and health Gospel

Charismatic-Spiritual gifts, Prosperity and health Gospel

Reformed-Bible Truth, self-centered.

Evangelical-Gospel, everyone is all right.

Methodist-people, people first.

Anglican-tradition, tradition first.

Baptist-baptism, more water more faith, less water less faith.

Presbyterian-elders and John Calvin, the elder is the king.

Lutheran-Martin Luther, pro-Nazism.

Roman Catholic-Mary, idols.

Denomination and its theological emphasis offer many aspects that are welcomed and respected, while others raise concerns.

Who asks you to fight inwardly? Do division and infighting come from God?

Gentle reminder for students and lecturers in Far Eastern Bible College, Singapore.

Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt 16∶24).

If any man comes after Jesus Christ, let him/her deny his/her own imagination such as Verbal Plenary Preservation, stupidity such as total refrain from wine, lust such as division and infighting among brothers and sisters in Christ, and take up his cross and follow Jesus, if he or she did not deny his/her own imaginations, stupidity, and lust, he cannot follow Jesus.

Deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Jesus.

Problems at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:1–6:20)

 

Problems at Corinth (1:1–6:20)

After a short introduction (1:1–9) Paul explains how to deal with issues the Corinthians are facing, such as strife and division (1:10–4:21), immorality in the church (5:1–13; 6:13–20), and Christians taking each other to court (6:1–9).

FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH (1:1–4:21)

After a short introduction (1:1–9), Paul helps the Corinthians with the issue of strife and division in the church (1:10–4:21). This second part—from 1:10 to 4:21—is the first main section of the letter’s body. Beginning with an appeal for unity in 1:10, this section presents Paul’s arguments against factions and divisions within the church. Paul explains that the saints must focus on Jesus and be humble servants.

Thanking God for Them (1:1–9)

Paul identifies himself as the author of the letter (1:1) and addresses it to the saints in Corinth, who are spoken of as belonging to the universal church of saints all over the world (1:2). Paul expresses thanksgiving to God for the believers in Corinth (1:4), describes them as enriched in spiritual gifts (1:7), and demonstrates that he has a God-centered confidence that they will persevere to the end (1:8).

Greeting (1:1–3)

Paul’s greeting identifies himself and wishes God’s grace and peace on the Corinthians.

 1:1 Paul claims in the very first verse to be called by God to be an “apostle.” Generally, an “apostle” is an individual sent with a message. The New Testament, however, turns “apostle” into a technical term—a special gift and ministry limited to a select few (possibly to those who had seen Christ personally; 1 Cor 9:1). Paul has this ministry because God willed it for him, and he therefore bears authority that should cause the Corinthians to listen even when it goes against their cherished opinions and practices. (Sosthenes, possibly the former head of the Jewish synagogue in Corinth mentioned in Acts 18:17, is with Paul as he writes.)

 1:2 Paul speaks of the Corinthians as “saints,” a term that designates someone who is sanctified, or set apart for God’s use. “Saints” then, are not a faithful few but include even the troubled and sinning believers at Corinth—and therefore at any other place. (Note the parallel between saints and believers in 2 Thess 1:10).

 1:3 Paul asks for God’s blessing of grace and peace to be on the Corinthians.

Spiritual Gifts at Corinth (1:4–9)

Paul refers to spiritual gifts, which he will explain at length later in the letter (1 Cor 12–14). The Corinthians are not lacking any gifts.

 1:4 Paul thanks God for what he has given to the Corinthians.

 1:5 Paul specifically identifies the gifts the Corinthians have in abundance—speech and knowledge (gifts he will later regulate; see 12:28; 14:1–6).

 1:6 The Corinthians have, through their gifts, confirmed what Paul taught them concerning Christ. That is, God’s gifts to them are evidence of the truth of Paul’s apostolic message about Jesus.

 1:7 The Corinthians lack no spiritual gift and are anticipating the return of Jesus.

 1:8 The Corinthians will be revealed as blameless by Jesus when he returns. The implication is that this is true for all believers.

 1:9 While the saints to whom Paul writes are not consistently faithful, God is always faithful. God has called them through Jesus into fellowship with his Son and therefore with each other.

Sectarianism Is Sin (1:10–17)

The church is developing cliques and divisions that have formed around certain leaders (and likely without the knowledge of those leaders). Paul clearly identifies this party spirit as sin.

No Divisions (1:10–12)

Paul exhorts the Corinthians to be unified. Divisions are a hindrance to Christ’s church.

 1:10 Paul wants them to be unified and have no divisions among themselves. Not every Christian then or now agrees on every interpretation. Paul doesn’t expect them to agree on every gray area, but they are to strive to agree—or “say the same thing”—as much as they possibly can (compare Phil 2:1–3). He says elsewhere that disagreements over doubtful matters should not be used to create divisions (compare Rom 14:1).

 1:11 Chloe’s “people” have told Paul of quarrels in the church.

 1:12 Paul illustrates the divisions by naming leaders—Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Christ. Often cliques revolve around personalities rather than biblical issues or doctrines. This is not to say individuals don’t fight over doctrines, but in this verse it is all about personalities.

Mangum, Douglas, ed. 2020. Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament. Lexham Context Commentary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Jeffrey Kh00, Quek Suaan Yew, Prabudas K0shy, Charles Se-eat are compromisers

Nehemiah would soon discover that his biggest problem was not the enemy on the outside but the compromisers on the inside, a problem the church still faces today.

Warren W. Wiersbe

Jeffrey Kh00, Quek Suaan Yew, Prabudas K0shy, and Charles Se-eat, these so-called disciples of Jesus are compromisers, they are fighting each other until today for petty little matters.

Some Bible-Presbyterian Churches are simply irrelevant

The problem is not hostility to the church; it is indifference. For many the church is simply irrelevant; it is not even worth criticizing, it is simply to be ignored.

 

William Barclay