MY BIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS

David Bruce Linn, Pastor-Teacher

There are so many versions that commenting on each of them is not possible, but I can recommend the following translations as trustworthy and accurate for all personal and church purposes:

NEW AMERICAN STANDARD (NASB -- 1995 UPDATE)

This is the Bible I use for my personal study and preaching. It is the most accurate in my opinion. If I could only show you how sweetly the New Testament flows directly from the original Greek text I think you would agree--but then you would have to learn Greek! It is based on earlier and shorter textual readings so be sure to get the reference edition which contains the later and longer textual readings in the margin (so called “lits and ors”). It was updated in 1995, primarily to improve readability. I like the side-column reference version and the NAS Study Bible (Zondervan

NEW KING JAMES (NKJV)

This is a wonderful update of the classic old work. It is readable and very accurate while retaining some of the flavor of the 1611 edition. This work is based on later and longer textual readings so be sure to get the reference edition with the shorter and earlier readings in the margin (so called “lits and ors”).

ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV)

This new translation is a terrific, accurate, and smooth-reading re-release of the Revised Standard Version (RSV) with all the deficiencies of that version repaired. The ESV is what the RSV always should have been. A large percentage of its renderings actually go back to the Tyndale Bible of the sixteenth century. Get the reference edition with cross-references based on a system that goes back hundreds of years as well. I love the way this one reads because I cut my teeth on a one dollar RSV from the American Bible Society when I was a teen. It may be the best reading of the essentially literal versions. It is based on earlier and shorter textual readings.

KING JAMES VERSION

Nothing can replace this accurate translation in the history of the church. I recommend it without reservation for those in churches where the pastor is teaching from it and where lots of people can help you with the admittedly difficult language. To find out what the difficult words meant in 1611 you can refer to the full Oxford English Dictionary which lists definitions for different time periods. Actually, the AV version we all know was revised in the late 1700's.

WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER VERSIONS?

There are other good essentially literal Bibles, but I do not recommend any dynamic equivalent translation for use as a primary Bible. It is better to read a more accurate translation and use reliable Bible helps such as Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias, sound commentaries, mature Christians, and your pastor! To read more on this issue see The Word of God in English by Leland Ryken.

NOTE: Send your questions to pastordave@breakfree.org