Foreword
Dear Reader,
In my last email, I mentioned that I would be making more room for Ignited Pennings articles by clearing out my personal writing updates. You'll still be getting those and more; but only for very significant announcements.
I also wanted to make a brief mention - the Counter Culture Teen has a new website! You can check it out at countercultureteen.com
Now, without further delay, let's launch into this month's topic.
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." - Psalm 119:105
But how do we know which word is truth?
The Christian community today presents an entire alphabet of different bible versions. From the NKJV, to the NIV, to the GW and the NlrV, I'll bet we can agree that there is no shortage of bible versions accessible to the average American today.
But how do we know which one presents the message most aligned with God's original Word?
I am being raised on the KJV, and by theological and ethical arguments I have been convinced that the KJV is the closest translation to the original manuscripts of God's word. Why?
To quote renowned Christian apologetic scholar, scientist and author, Dr. Henry M. Morris in his A Creationist's Defense of the King James Bible,
"All the 50 or more translators who developed the King James Bible believed strongly in the inerrancy and full authority of Scripture and in the literal historicity of Genesis...This has not always been true of those who were involved in producing the modern versions."
"Futhermore, the King James translators were also great scholars, at least proficient in the biblical languages as any one of those who have come after them...they worked diligently on the project (as assigned to them by King James) for over seven years."
I won't go too deep into this, but in short I believe that because of the credibility and qualifications of the translators, the King James version is by far the most accurate English translated version we have today.
Fun Fact: One of the reasons people don't like the KJV is the very thing that makes it the most gramatically clear Bible version. Here's why –
"Though the NKJV has since removed the Old English words of the KJV such as "thee", "thou", "ye" and "thine", these words actually make the KJV more specific than the NKJV. Why? A little research shows that these words are not used interchangeably, but rather are used specifically and intentionally. For example, "thou" and "thine" were used to express the second person singular, whereas "you", "ye" and "yours" were reserved for second person plural."(Credit: Henry Morris)
Do the above statements mean that I believe that all other versions should be discarded?
Of course not – I have no doubt that many souls have been brought to salvation by versions of the Bible other than the KJV, and I have no doubt that God can work through any vessel to further His kingdom.
However, there is a line that I personally draw when it comes to this matter, and it is concerning a topic that most Christians today are not aware of.
Word for word, versus thought for thought versus paraphrase and balance. What makes some Bible translations so dangerous
I'd like to point out a very pressing proposition that I have not yet mentioned. If the King James version was translated directly out of the Greek and Hebrew translations of its time, then where are the other versions being translated from?
I'd like to do a quick comparison between a few bible versions at this time to emphasize the above point.
The verses I will be using are Matthew 4:19 and John 3:16-17
(Credit to the Rose Book of Bible Charts by Rose Publishing for the idea of verse comparison)
Matthew 4:19 - KJV - Word for Word
Translation method: Word for word
Reading Grade Level: 12
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 4:19 - HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Translation method: Balance between word for word and thought for thought
Reading Grade Level: 7.5
"Follow me," He told them, "and I will make you fish for people!"
Matthew 4:19 - CEB (Common English Bible)
Translation method: Balance between word for word and thought for thought
Reading Grade Level: 7
"Come, follow me," he said, "and I'll show you how to fish for people."
Matthew 4:19 - ESV (English Standard Version)
Translation method: Word for word
Reading Grade Level: 8
And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Matthew 4:19 - AMP (Amplified Bible)
Translation method: word for word, plus amplification of meaning
Reading Grade Level: 11
And He said to them, Come after Me [as disciples-letting Me be your Guide], follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!
~ ~ ~
John 3:16-17
John 3:16-17 KJV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:16-17 AMP (Amplified Bible)
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
John 3:16-17 MSG (The Message)
Translation method: Paraphrase
Reading Grade Level: 6
This is how much God loved the world; He gave his Son; his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is aquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
John 3:16-17 NRSV (New Revised Standard Version)
Translation method: Word for Word
Reading Grade Level: 8
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17 NIV (New International Version)
Translation method: balance between word for word and thought for thought
Reading Grade Level: 7
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Source: Rose Book of Bible Charts: Vol. 2
~ ~ ~
As you can see, some versions do not differ as much from each other and from the KJV, whereas others have outlandish, and dare I say, even ridiculous translations.
Now, let me explain the difference between word for word, thought for thought, paraphrasing and balance.
Word for Word
A process in which biblical and linguistic scholars attempt to translated each word based upon the word usage at the time of the writing. No translation is actually "word-for-word," but the intent is to come as close as possible.
Source: Rose Book of Bible Charts: Vol. 2
Balance
A process in which scholars attempt to mediate the between a word-for-word approach and a thought-for-thought approach.
Source: Rose Book of Bible Charts: Vol. 2
Thought for thought
A process in which scholars translate the meaning of each thought. This approach is also known as "dynamic equivalence." This is how most non-biblical translation for modern books is done.
Source: Rose Book of Bible Charts: Vol. 2
Paraphrase
A re-statement of a translation in modern terms and vocabulary, often expanded (or "amplified") for clarity.
Source: Rose Book of Bible Charts: Vol. 2
Furthermore, I would like to point out how a supposedly, self-claiming "word for word" translation compares with the KJV in serious doctrinal terms.
Enter the English Standard Version.
The ESV Bible
Just another translation?
If you have the Bible app, or you happen to have an ESV bible with you, go to Acts 8:37 before reading on.
What's this? Acts 8:37 doesn't exist in the ESV!
Let's look at the context behind this. (I'm using the KJV now)
In this passage, Philip has just been led by the Spirit to a man of Ethiopia. In short Philip notices that this man is reading of "Esaias the prophet". Scripture goes on to tell us that this man asks Philip what must he do to be saved. Let's take a look at what the KJV records Philip as saying;
36
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him
Think about it; this version removes a vital verse which contains an essential doctrine. Thus, taking away the true meaning of the verse, and I'll even go so far as to say, perverting this passage of scripture and the message of salvation in this moment.
Let's look at some more examples, and this time, I'll let you decide for yourself.
1 Peter 3: 21
KJV
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
ESV
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as a appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Luke 4:4
KJV
And Jesus answered him saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
ESV
And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone."
2 Timothy 2:15
KJV
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
ESV
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth
And finally, I'd like to ask you a question:
Can Jesus lie?
Did Jesus Lie? Let's look at John 7:8
KJV versus ESV
Here's what the KJV says;
8
Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come
Then look at verse 9 and 10 in the KJV
9
When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee
10
But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret
There you go; a simple logically correct situation. Jesus said he would not yet go to the feast, and while he said these words he was still in Galilee. But later, he did go, not contradicting his earlier statement when he said he would "go not up yet".
Now look at the ESV
8
You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come."
9
After saying this, he remained in Galilee
10
But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.
If you read that carefully, you'll not only notice the rephrasing of the words, but the removal of the word, "yet" in verse 8, completely altering what Jesus said in these verses.
The ESV frames Jesus as having NO intention whatsoever in going up to the feast; he told his disciples I am not going up to this feast, but later in verse 10 it says But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up.
So did Jesus lie?
If Jesus is completely holy, pure, just and right and does not have any sin in him, how is it that these verses in the ESV paint him as a liar?
"Oh, but Victoria," you may say, "this is just a technicality."
Oh, but Reader, is it really just a technicality?
Wrapping Up
Today we took a look at several different bible versions and compared them with two popular verses against the KJV. Then we zoomed in on the ESV and discovered that not only does this self-proclaimed "word for word" version change the meaning of verses, but it entirely twists John 7:8, painting Jesus as a liar, simply by the removal of one word.
One word. That's all it took.
And how are we to know that every other modern Bible translation hasn't changed as much, or even more, than the ESV?
Now if you are an ESV user, or a user of any of these versions I mentioned above (or even didn't mention), know that I am not 'attacking' you. My goal here was to simply present you with the most basic facts, state my opinion, give an argument, and let you come to your own conclusion.
That's all.
So let me leave you with a word of encouragement and warning.
Hebrews 4:12, KJV
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Galatians 1:6-7
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
I pray that the Spirit of God, through my humble convictions, encourages, and persuades you that God's word is truth; and that truth from above, will set you free if only you will come to know it.
I don't condemn all Bible versions that aren't the KJV, nor do I scoff at my brothers and sisters in Christ who use them. I do not wish to become legalistic; insisting that the KJV is the only version through which God can "really work", for such beliefs are limiting in our minds what the power of Jesus Christ can do.
Finally, remember, Reader
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
On FIRE for the Lord,
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Counter Culture Teen Podcast
Hosted by Victoria Julieann and Averie Frances
The Counter Culture Teen is a podcast for teens and young adults, by teens. We stand on a biblical foundation and we speak from a Christian worldview. Our foundations are built on the principles that founded this country, and above all, the Lord. Through it all, we strive to spread the light and life of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sign up to our email list to get biweekly to monthly updates on episodes, submit questions and feedback, and your dose of counter-culture encouragement! |
