Which Bibles and Churches are true

[the new justin]

Why are there so many versions of the Bible and which one should I follow?
Also why are there so many differnt kinds of Churches, Presbyterian, Baptist, and so on? I go to a presbyterian Church now and read a mini book of the new Testament, Psalms and Proverbs by The Gideons International.

Can anyone explain this to me please.

 

[jmh137]

I became a collector of Bibles through the years. I have heard some say that they believe that the King James version is the only way to go. I started out the first time I read the Word all the way through with a NIV version, and now that I think about it, that has been the only version that I've read through (same Bible) from cover to cover. Since then I read a lot of different ones. I never really cared for the KJV that much, but in the past 3 years I've grown to like it a lot. I think that the Amplifed is really good too. Strangely though, I don't read the NIV anymore. A lot of people like the Living Bible and it does make all the verses really easy to understand.

About the many different denominations, I get confused on that one too. I was brought up in a Baptist home so that is what I know the most about. But, I don't consider myself a Baptist, really.

 

[the new justin]

Is it a big difference in the differnt versions of Bibles?

 

[Faithful Son]

Hello Justin, someone else started a thread recently on which Bible version to use, just search the forums around a bit, you may find answers there you might not find here.

As I said on that thread, there are many different Bibles and if a person believes he or she needs to read the most original Bible, then it is better to go with less revised versions. To give an example, rather go for the King James than the New King James, note, this is only if originality and purity is the concern. The Bible is a book and if you view the first few pages there should be an edition date printed inside, alongside the copyright information. I use the 1933 revised in 1953 old translation Afrikaans Bible, this is because I speak Afrikaans. It is well known in South Africa that this is the purist form, closest to the original documents. Except for the 1933 edition that is. So I would advise you to see the date when the Bible was published and compare it with different Bibles.

I don't know the history of the New American Standard Bible, but I have found this Bible to be most comparable to my Afrikaans Bible. There are slight differences in expression, but most of the words stay the same. I only found this out last month when comparing Afrikaans Bible verses to English ones.
I have never found events or stories in the Bible altered in comparison to different Bible versions.

On the other hand, God's Word is God's Word and if originality or purity regarding Bible publications is not the necessity, go for a Bible that reads well.

The question about different denominations is all about Christian history, and if you are interested in it, you can do a study on the subject. The main story is that the protestans were one of the first, if not the first denomination in Chrisitian history. They were formed out of Christians who protested against the catholic belief system. I don't count the catholics as a denomination. Out of the protestants other denominations were spawned.

In South African church society there are 2 categories of denominations. Those who believe in baptism as an infant, and those who believe in baptism as an adult. There are different churches surrounding these beliefs and their statement of faith and their church "rules" are what disassociates them from each other.

I believe what the Bible teaches and if you want to join a church, make sure that they teach nothing except God's Word.

 

[jmh137]

Here is an example of the difference between the KJV and the Amplified version of the Word. This is one of my favorite passages in the Word.
John 1:1, KJV: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Now the Amp. Version: In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God and the Word was God Himself. [Isa. 9:6].
Notice at the end of the Amp. v. there is a scripture reference to another place in the Bible. I really like this because a lot of the time it will take you back to the Old Testament to the Prophecy of the Messiah our LORD. It's a journey in and of itself and I have learned a lot by this. I was going to type out another version, but for now I can only do these 2. I have already lost a long post once a few minutes ago. Later.

 

[evangeline]

Hi Justin,

The book that you are reading from the Gideons is probably a great version to read, as they are very careful about such things.

You are right, there are many different Bible versions, and it can get confusing. Basically the different translations all have slightly different aims.

The NASB tries to keep as close to the meaning of the original Greek words as possible, as does the KJV and RSV.

The NIV is what is called a dynamic equivalent translation, and its aim is to translate the ideas as well as the words. This makes it a little easier to read but it has already done some interpreting which some people may disagree with. It is a good version none the less.

Other Bible versions, called paraphrases are more liberal with their translations and interpretations. These versions include the Good News Bible, The Living Bible, CEV, etc. These can still be useful.

The Message in my mind cannot be classified as a Bible as it is purely an interpretation and not a translation. It is too far removed from the Greek.

My favourite translations are the NASB and the New Living Translation


evangeline