2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.I am a big fan of the ESV. I find it to be a very word-for-word accurate translation yet understandable. I like that while it is similar to the NRSV, the version the Religious Studies Dept. uses here @ MSU, it reflects much more theologically conservative and faithful readings of many a passage that the NRSV... well... theologically butchers. I've often wondered back and forth on the issue, however of the TNIV - Today's New International Version. I know some personally who use this version... but I know there is quite a bit of controversy surrounding the translation, and not from just the KJV-Only nutjobs. Many of the men I respect most - Al Mohler, John Piper, J.I. Packer, etc. are very distrusting of the TNIV for
various reasons. (One of the more damning aspects of the TNIV is its translation of Psalm 34:20 in such a way that actually REMOVES the prophetic reference to Christ - "[God] protects all their bones, not one of them will be broken," changing the singular "his" to the generic plural "their".)
However, this post is NOT about the TNIV. (though I have spent too much time already rambling about it!)
While listening to a podcast by Rev. Al Mohler (
here), I noticed something that the good Reverend pointed out. The Bible is the Word of God, yes? to equip for every good work... to teach... etc.? Well...
Do you get the point???
SO many "specialty" Bibles to fill market niches...
I have, for instance an NIV Student Bible... something more or less for teens with its level of notes... but I have it LEATHER BOUND. I even had my name engraved... for WHAT? a Bible that basically "expires" after I turn 18 or 19?? Does that seem...
off to anyone? It does to me.
There is NOTHING wrong with study bibles. I have an ESV Study Bible AND an ESV Reformation Study Bible... both of which are amazing tools for study! I often feel lost if I do not have either of those Bibles with me, ESPECIALLY when I am working through the Old Testament, with so many cities and terminologies I am unfamiliar with. However many MANY of these I am skeptical of go beyond the scholarly emphasis. They often will have study notes that focus on... well... me. The Bible for the 12 yr old boy who plays Nintendo Wii... where does it end??? The focus isn't on helping the reader understand the given Bible passage. It is on meeting the individual's felt NEEDS.
Scholarship and theology has been exchanged for self-help Bible programs. ... and i'm not even TALKING about the "translations" themselves... from the TNIV to the NLT... I'm not saying we have to have NO study notes and NO designs on the Bibles... that is fine. But a camo Bible? I mean really...
What are your thoughts??
Comments (39)
I also saw a Bible that is written on untearable, waterproof pages. It's called the Outdoor Bible, or the Amphibious Bible, or something. Maybe both.
I think there are some very useful editions of Bibles (to say nothing of the variety of translations), but most of it seems misguided or even dangerous to me. The most worrisome are the ones that very intentionally promote an agenda, like prophecy study Bibles by single editors.
The cammo bible would come in handy for someone out in the field but then there is nothing wrong with just wrapping a regular bible in some cammo material or smearing face paint on it.
great post.
I tend to stick with my Plain Complete Jewish Bible.
I do also have The Jewish Study Bible though. I really like it because it has great study notes from Jewish tradition.
Blessings and Shalom
Great post!
I must say I have many different kinds of Bibles...Though I won't lie I have the Chicken Soup Bible that was given to me as a gift. And it's really not that bad. Though I have other's I prefer over that one.
Have a good one!
**Some comments have been deleted. WHY? If there is some incredibly objectionable content on an individual's page, I do not want any readers to accidentally wander somewhere and find sexually explicit material. Furthermore... comments that do not further discussion related to the topic of the posted blog get deleted ... no spam people**
The bible is sold, people pay for church, religion is all about controlling the masses and making a buck! I mean honestly the bible was created by a committee of men to decide what should and should not be included! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea So unless the Bible you read was printed, published and given out for free, it cost someone and someone made a buck off the sell.
Certainly there are various forms of the Bible, but then, there are also various forms of the Christian religion, and various ways in which to worship our Lord.
Were we to truly desire but one Bible, it would certainly not be an English version - as the first and correct versions were written in other languages.
@JesusFreakRKG - I think that if you fear a difference of opinions on your blog, you will never accomplish anything.
@fugita - If you read my entire post, i addressed this. I understand that publishers need to also eat and make a living. But to try and MARKET the Bible in such a way as it is now... with market fragments trying to be met? Is it the Word of God? or an iPod?
I find your criticism of ALL "organized religions" as being "money hungry" to be incredibly inaccurate. Next thing you'll be saying it is the "opium of the people"... (how intolerant)
@ilovejesuschristforever - various ways of worship? there is a vast difference between the liturgy of the Lutheran service vs a Baptist contemporary service and then looking at pagan traditions of "prayer labyrinths" and "centering prayer" as forms of "worship" These things are... just the offering up of "strange fire." Leviticus 10:1
@X_blue_dragon_X - I was out deer hunting and I was in the stand with my bible, beef jerkey, rifle and flashlight reading the bible. I shot 3 deer that day. My bible is not camoflauge lol.
@JesusFreakRKG - Rest assured that you cannot know whether your interpretation of the Bible is the correct one. Only our Lord can know.
@ilovejesuschristforever - hermeneutics
@JesusFreakRKG - Do you truly dare pretend that you would know the thoughts of God better than He Himself?
@JesusFreakRKG - Actually I just find organized religion too controlling personally. And before you say anything more I am a Cradle Catholic and Certified by the Vatican as a Catholic Studies Teacher. Now on that note, I don't attend church or teach (any more). I left the organized church long ago, because I was asking my students to think for themselves and not just believe blindly what they were told. I asked them to read, think and discuss the Bible. To understand that it is a flawed book but that it still was a good starting point for their faith. That real faith is not just following the person speaking but instead finding what you believe is true in your own heart and soul. And for this I was asked not to teach any more. Because and I quote "Our students need not read the bible to know what God wants them to know, but instead simply listen to the church leaders and follow".
I don't think it is opium for the people, but I do think it is better to have faith with open eyes then follow blindly!
@ilovejesuschristforever - .... No... I have never said that I "truly dare pretend that I know the thoughts of God better than He Himself." God being omniscient kind of defeats that...
... WHY do you ask? lol
@fugita - Aside from Rome's gospel of works + grace and not sola gratia...
- absolutely investigate truth claims and not just follow what the Pope or religious leaders tell you. Reading the Bible is ESSENTIAL to growing in the Faith. Good teaching from a theologically sound pastor and elders/deacons is good too... but one must also live not on bread alone but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God. So yeah... any authority that says 'dont read the bible, listen to me instead' flat out sucks.
- would have to 100% disagree, as I hold to biblical inerrancy and infallibility, as well as it being theopneustos.
@JesusFreakRKG - You seem to be type of person who looks at his own faith and declares it the absolute truth.
I don't know you. I don't know what you believe; however, I'm willing to bet it's different (in some way or another) from what I believe.
Would I call you wrong and pretend that I have "scientific facts" which help prove my correctness in interpretation of God's word? Never. I merely follow his word as best as I can in the way that I interpret it, and do not assume that I am somehow perfect.
Furthermore, in regards to SerenaDante - I would have to agree with the above comment in a "lol" directed at you if it is her site that you supposedly found "sexually explicit."
@ilovejesuschristforever - I would never say "X is true because I believe X!" Never. I'm not some great theological mind myself.
However, I do press to BELIEVE things that ARE biblically sound. I do strive to give an accurate presentation of biblical truth, and try to faithfully preach and proclaim what God's Word says.
Yes... there are many interpretations of biblical texts and meanings. But just because something has many interpretations doesn't mean that it CAN'T be understood does it? nah. A verse may have many implications... but one meaning. How do we know what it means? we approach the text faithfully and using good sound hermeneutics.
and... to basically sum up what I believe... I am a 5-Point Calvinist.
@JesusFreakRKG - Nice... I get where you would say that they are inspired by God... "theopneustos". Nice usage by the way. I am sure many of your readers would require a dictionary at the sight of that word. I have not only studied Christian theology but also Jewish, Islamic, Heretical, Pagan *funny side note: 90% of the old testement and Jewish writtings can be attributed to Pagan stories around long before either religion was around Example, "The Great Flood" story.* I have studied not on old religions but new ones, as well. I found one thing every religion and belief has at the core... I call it the bases of all religion, other call it the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I boiled it down to "Live and let live, love and let love". If you want to believe God inspired the mistakes of the writters hands in the creation of the Bible, that is your right and I will not tell you otherwise. I think it is a good book, and has great idealogies. I just think people put too much into the words of man and do too many things "in the name of God".
I figure if I am wrong I will burn in hell, but if I am right I hope I meet you in Heaven! Honestly.
@JesusFreakRKG - Something can be certainly be understood with many different interpretations; however, it will be understood differently, no?
Furthermore, there are various things in addition to the Bible that our Church has taught us to be necessary and true (take, for example, the need for baptism). We must consider the additions to the Bible (added in by those who spoke with God himself) as well as the Bible itself.
I am a Catholic.
@fugita - WOW 90%?????? And where did you get THAT statistic?! i'd love to see that study done. i'm sure it was very unbiased
The stories in Gigamesh, etc, are not that closely related to the Old Testament. Other religions' stories of creation often have gods using tools to make the world... whereas Genesis has God just speaking and it happens.
I have to tremendously disagree with your "core" of every religion. It is certainly not the core of biblical Christianity. The "Golden Rule" is works. Do this and you will have good things happen. The core of every world religion though IS a doctrine of WORKS. 5 Pillars... doing darhma... 4 noble truths & 8 fold path... whatever. they are all works... man being good enough to reach God.
which is why the Christian GOSPEL is such good news.
We don't reach up to God. we don't initiate... God initiates salvation. it is totally a gift of God, not a result of works-- no one can boast. Though we are vile wretches to the core, Christ came to atone for sin as the propitiation needed. he paid it ALL for ANY and ALL who will repent and believe the gospel... not just mental acknowledgment. but placing ones trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross. this is the gospel... and I LOVE it!
it is what separates Christianity from ALL other world religions. Religions = works. Biblical Christianity = GRACE.
'cause frankly... btw... I'm too lazy to work myself to Heaven. can't be done... but if it depended on my being "good enough"... i'd be SO screwed... you have NO idea. lol.
my thoughts are: why would you ever need a bible at all?
@luna_skye - you need the written word to coerce the masses.
ex:
me: "so why is your salvation a gift of god's grace, and not a result of good works?"
"BECAUSE THE BIBLE TOLD US!"
@luna_skye - why need it? "man does not live on bread alone but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God"
i have the celebrate recovery bible pictured above and i really like as far as things like that specifically focus on groups of people "women, men, teens, boy, girl" etc. or specific ministries, i think they are great.
things like the golfers bible though...like really?
what does the bible have to say specifically to golfers?