Bible Translation for Outreach & Evangelism
Most of us probably have a preferred translation for personal study and reading. But I'm wondering if you would give that same translation to a new or not yet believer or might you go with more of a paraphrase such as the New Living Translation or the Message in such an instance.
What do you think? Has anybody had experience with this question?
Do any pastors here use a different translation for preaching then they use for personal study?
What do you think? Has anybody had experience with this question?
Do any pastors here use a different translation for preaching then they use for personal study?
The translation that I have found that new believers or just first time Bible reads do best with is the New Living Translation or the New International Version. I am impressed with the ease at which people can read the New Living Translation. It is an excellent translation to read aloud to others. This is the version I take with me to the hospitals when I go on visitations.
In regards to preaching, I mainly use the NIV. To date, in my opinion, it is the best translation out there for study. All translations have there problems because of their nature. They are translations and not the original documents. This is not a huge problem for me because I accept what Christ Himself said about His Word in Matthew 5:17-18, which basically says that God protects His Word. For studying in preparation for a sermon, I will use the NIV, NLT, KJV, and an Interlinear Bible. If I am reading for devotion, the translation varies.
I am not one to get hung up on the version debate. Although I do believe that the KJV is good but many people today simply can not grasp the language of the 1600's. It is almost like a foreign language. I am sure this statement will spark a little debate. I am not saying it is obsolete, but if you have not grown up with in there is little chance of you getting a good handle on it. I know the Holy Spirit plays a major role in understanding Scripture. The problem is that the Church in America often times does not go to the Scriptures depending on the Holy Spirit to interpret God's Word to them. We are much more prone to making God's Word say what we want it to say, rather than what God is trying to say to us.
Let the debate begin. I'll check back in Sunday when I get back from vacation to find out how far this thread goes. I am rather disappointed personally that more people do not share in this forum. Thanks Dan for asking questions.
Reply to this
I have been on vacation so I hadn't been to the blog. I concur readily with Tom's comment, but particularly with "The problem with the church in America often times does not go to the Scriptures depending on the Holy Spirit ... etc." Far more important than debating translation we need to be committed to helping people make the use of scripture a part of their daily discipleship. We use pew Bibles, for example, so that when preaching and worship occur people are actually handling the Word. I prefer people (and tell them) they need to have a trustworthy version that they understand and use it (we even tell them that if they don't have a Bible they understand "steal the NIV pew Bible" We'll get more.
STEVE DUNN
Reply to this
When I first looked at NT scripture I did not have a Bible. The one in the pew was a KJ version which I didn't understand at all. A friend at church gave me a LT version. I found this easy to read and understand. I didn't know one from the other I just knew I could understand this one. Later I got a NIV and once comfortable with that went to a NKJ. Currently I use a NIV for study and add in a NKJ and NLT for sermon prep and class papers. However I found the greatest help was my prayer partner who gave me my first Bible and worked with me to understand it. We need mentors out there in every church to help feed the young uns.
Reply to this
Tom has a valid point. The person embodies the scriptures in their life, coming alongside the new believer as a mentor and partner in the spiritual journey is the BEST TRANSLATION for outreach and evangelism.
Reply to this