Translations

Since I “apparently have an issue” with paraphrase (at least according to my wife), here are some of my thoughts about paraphrases. Paraphrases are a sign of the laziness that has overflown from society into our chruches. As stated in Grasping God’s Word, “In a paraphrase the ‘translator’ makes far too many of the interpretive decisions for your.” And “The result is that paraphrases add many things that are simply not in the Bible.” Instead of studying the text to find out what the author originally intended, the reader lets someone else do the thinking for them. Now I know what you are thinking, “What is the difference between that and any other translation?” I know this because it has been asked before. The difference is that instead of trying to take the Greek and Hebrew and translate it into the appropriate language, the paraphrase leaps to the conclusion that they can tell you the thoughts and meaning behind the author’s original words. Interpretation is tough enough. Look at how many different commentaries there have been throughout the centuries. Who is right? The text book goes into this in the next chapter by asking “Who controls the meaning?” Do we let someone do it for us, like the paraphrase "Bibles" do, or should we study to make sure that we try to interpret correctly the meaning that the author was trying to get across? I guess my big problem with the paraphrase Bibles is that they are presented as Bibles, and therefore confuse weaker or newer Christians. I agree completely with the textbook that you should “treat paraphrases like commentaries and use them as such.” I would even go farther and suggest that they be taken out of the Bible section in all of the Christian book stores and moved to the commentary/reference sections. This way you do not give the impression that a paraphrase is the same as the other real translations.

I like to study the Bible, and really dig into the language, so I prefer a more formal approach to choosing a translation. I prefer the ESV, NASB, and more recently the HCSB. The farthest that I have gone toward the more functional side is the NIV. That is only because that is the translation that all the classes at Liberty use. I am glad that I have though. I understand the need to have a more functional, easier to read version that might help you to understand a verse or section of Scripture that you are reading. I found that it is also really good for devotional reading.

One attribute of the KJV that has recently come to my attention is that it preserves the distinction between the singular and plural pronouns by using the “thee, thou’s,, thy and thine.” In our English language today, all of our singular and plural pronouns are “you and yours.” How do you tell the difference between the singular and plural? I’m definitely not a KJV only person, I just thought that was an interesting fact that I would share. Think link explains it a little better than I did.
http://www.baptistbecause.com/Tracts/theethou.htm