Which Bible translation is best?

I am fascinated by discussions regarding the many versions of the Bible that are available. Brandon has gotten some interesting comment responses to this post he wrote. He is addressing pastors regarding which translation they use for their sermons. I have a few thoughts based on my experiences and would love to hear more discussion about this. First though, the disclaimer: I am not a pastor. I am ‘relatively’ new to reading the Bible. I grew up attending church on Easter, Christmas, and sporadically throughout the year, but never discussing God or the Bible outside of Sunday mornings. The questions and thoughts I pose are serious, asked out of my love of Jesus and my desire to learn more about God’s Word! Because of this, please comment as I welcome all discussion to increase understanding…

The first Bible I ever saw was a Masonic Bible, although I only knew it as “the Bible”, thinking that every Bible was the same. This Bible was hidden in my father’s nightstand and yes, I snuck in a few times and looked through it. I never understood any of it. I got caught looking at it once, was beaten severely for reading it and was told that God would never love me and I was going to hell. All because I read a Bible…

There were Bibles in church, but I don’t ever remember opening one. In that church, the pastor gave a Bible to anyone who attended the third grade Sunday School class. I tried to read it but never got past a few verses at a time, and never understood any of it. It was an RSV Bible and it sat on the shelf for years, gathering dust. The only other Bibles I saw were in the nightstand drawers at hotels and different versions that were handed out by oddly dressed pushy people on my college campus.

Fast forward to a few years ago, when God started stirring things up in my life. I began to realize there was more to understand and stopped at a Christian bookstore to buy myself a Bible. I was overwhelmed by the choices! I figured that I was safe buying one from this store but wasn’t even sure. “Women’s Study Bible” caught my attention so I bought it. I didn’t have a clue what NKJV meant but I was on my way to Bible study. The explanations and discussions were great, but I still struggled with the wording. A little later I purchased an NLT life application study version and finally I understood so much more! It grabbed my interest and started me on a fantastic journey of beginning to feel and experience God’s Words by adding my own independent reading and studying to what I learned at church. Because the Bible had finally come to life for me, I began to thrive on learning all I could. I have moved into more study and regularly compare NKJV, NIV, NLT, and The Message and occasionally read verses from others. Through these other interpretations, I am beginning to understand the more difficult translations more thoroughly.

Discussions among pastors and others about which version is the most accurate, most readable, or best interpretation of meaning vs. word-for-word translation is very important. There appears to be a few very good translations that are accepted for their validity and overall accuracy (with variations in details). Beyond this level, I think what needs to be strongly considered is who is the target audience and what is the goal? A novice Christian, unfamiliar with Biblical terms and understanding, may quickly be turned off by words and language that are strange and foreign. I have heard people comment that the Bible is irrelevant and too difficult to read and comprehend. What good is a Bible that sits on a shelf? Are people being reached if theology is discussed in a scholarly manner where application and meaning are impossible to grasp?

I understand that the more interpretations there are, the greater chance of veering away from the truth. The integrity must be maintained. However, within these guidelines, isn’t the issue to develop an appreciation for God’s Word? Once we separate out the “Bibles” that are untrue (like the Masonic Bible), isn’t it a priority to then reach out to people who do not yet know the incredible wonder and reality of our awesome leader? Can we learn as much or more through commentaries along with Biblical interpretation or is a perfect Greek or Hebrew translation required?

If you have never read a Bible, why not? What is stopping you? If you have, what has worked for you? What translation has reached you? Which is good for reaching others? I know what has worked for me and how I have grown by learning more through reading the Bible. I want everyone to feel the wonderful freedom and security that I am experiencing. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and ideas!