June 1, 200719 yr Here is two good Bible study sites that have commentaries, concordances, and dictionary. For those that like the web better then books. Crosswalk http://www.biblestudytools.net/Commentaries/MatthewHenryConcise/ StudyLight http://www.studylight.org/com/mhc-com/
June 1, 200719 yr I've done some research on a few of the translations. Combining that with the fact that I've read quite a bit from the KJV, NKJV and NASB, and to a lesser extent, the NIV, I think any of those four are good versions. It's just a matter of preference. I think the mindset that the KJV is the only one with God's approval is misguided and dangerous in some circumstances...my pastor told me of one such instance about a newly converted Christian. A younger girl (teenager I think) had just come to Christ and was using an NIV Bible. When she took it to church, someone (pastor maybe but I'm not sure) informed her that that was a big no-no. Apparently, it really confused and affected her in the wrong way....and all for what? Someone's ignorance, IMO. Also, didn't want to imply that those four were the only ones that were good...just the ones I'm most familiar with. Good post! I always wondered why the KJV 1611 Authorized Version is considered by many to be "the true word of God". What about the poor souls that only had Wyclif's, Tyndale, or Coverdale bibles that preceded them. I enjoy reading NIV, and keep my KJV handy because I like the majestic prose too.
June 1, 200719 yr I read several translations to get an overview and multiple translations of what is being said. Don't stick to one in particular. While everyone is mentioning the concordances, dictionarys, etc, etc, the MOST IMPORTANT thing in reading a Bible is prayer. Prayer for God to speak to you through the Scripture that you are studying. I have been told that reading the Bible is like having a conversation with God. He is talking to you through the Word and you need/must talk to him back in prayer. Reading the Bible is more akin to a conversation than it is like reading any other book. Reading the Bible without prayer is not the most effective way to read the Bible.
June 2, 200719 yr Its majestic prose and poetry; its commission at the request of the King, thus uniting Church and secular authorities; its nomer as the "Authorized Version" in Great Britain, from whence we are primarily derived; its replacement of the high church etymology in place of the degraded terms from the Reformation. It "feels" like the Bible of the King of Kings. It may feel like the Bible of the King of Kings but it is really the Bible of King James of England. I have heard many, particularly Baptists, say that it is "the KJV or nothing" for them. I see no definitive reason to accept it over several other translations. I am concerned that all translations are subject to bias and that would include the KJV. It is not the easiest translation in the world to understand particularly for the less educated. I often compare the Bible to the US Constitution. Both have enough generalities and vague passages to enable one seeking to back up a preconceived conclusion with sufficient evidence to do so. That is troublesome in regard to both documents.
June 2, 200719 yr Thru the FCA my wife and I get "Teen Study Bibles". These are meant for young folks and it breaks down scripture on their level. Footnotes and study verses are also a good source of these Bibles. Situations are played out also using scripture and how teens apply scripture to their daily lives. To be honest I really enjoy this Bible and have one with me at work. I also get extra ones and pass them out to folks and the feedback is really nice. I can't believe that a Pastor would be upset with a young person's choice of a Bible format. Now also Footnotes should be brought up. These are a mans or mens "think so's". I have a "Bible Commentary Book" but I'm careful with it.
June 2, 200719 yr I've actually started reading the KJV of the New Testament at my new job... not for any religious purpose, but because it was still in my backpack from when the old guys in suits passed them out on campus and I needed something to kill time. I'm not a big fan, mostly for Hearsay's reasoning, but also because that old poetic style bores me to death.
June 4, 200719 yr Author Good post! I always wondered why the KJV 1611 Authorized Version is considered by many to be "the true word of God". What about the poor souls that only had Wyclif's, Tyndale, or Coverdale bibles that preceded them. I enjoy reading NIV, and keep my KJV handy because I like the majestic prose too. Most of the people that claim that the original King James is the only one have never even read the original. If anyone has seen the original 1611 KJV then they know what I mean...if you think the current version is difficult, you should really try to find a copy of the 1611 and check it out. For one thing, the letters v and u are opposite...so the word love in the 1611 would be written like this "loue"...and give would be "giue"...there are plenty of other difficulties but that one really stands out.
June 7, 200719 yr Translating articles and prepositions from the Greek (NT) must be done from context..I don't see how ANY version of the NT could be considered THE version as translations are at the mercy of the translator. I am not familiar (nor do I pretend to be) with Hebrew and Aramaic...I leave that to those who are!!
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