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Writer Discussion on Bible Versions

September 30th, 2015

So what kinds of Bibles are we all using these days? I own maybe 14 different translations for pleasure & study but this one right here is the favorite. It’s a Ryrie Study Bible in NIV and it’s not the ‘Ryrie’ name or his notes I like but the concordance and overall layout has worked well for me. After almost 20 years I know it well. It’s held together by duct tape and scotch tape. Spurgeon once said that if you find a Bible that’s falling apart, chances are the owner isn’t. I like that. And I’m not. Lol Let’s hear what you like and see pics if you have any..

Blaine Cardilli's photo.
Blaine Cardilli's photo.
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    Tim White, Wendyl Leslie and 3 others like this.
  • Comments
      • Blaine Cardilli
        Blaine Cardilli I got the Realtree Roadtrip sticker from Michael Waddell; I used to write for Realtree Outdoors. My ministry is geared towards helping hunters & sportsmen study the Bible both on facebook and in the field. It’s called Redneck Outdoor Ministries and I’ve been dubbed “The Redneck Preacher: Lol

        Like · Reply · 2 · September 24 at 8:03pm
      • Deb Whittier Newman
        Deb Whittier Newman I do have a weathered NASB Bible, but unfortunately it’s not because of my wear & tear. About ten years ago someone actually stole my Bible during Bible Study. It had my notes and highlighted, etc. Inside the front page was my name and my phone number. Last year the church called and said they found my Bible in the worship center (it was stolen in a completely different part of the church miles away). It was used and well-worn, a little torn. I’m still scratching my head how someone could steal a bible and KEEP it! Oh well… I got it back. Now if I could only read my handwriting. lol

        Like · Reply · 3 · September 24 at 9:25pm
      • Byron Earnheart
        Byron Earnheart I’m an ESV and NASB kinda guy.

        Like · Reply · 2 · September 24 at 11:00pm
      • Kristi-Joy Matovich
        Kristi-Joy Matovich I use the ESV for study and the NLT for reading.

        Like · Reply · 1 · September 25 at 12:09am
      • Michael Karpf
        Michael Karpf This Bible was my graduation present from Dallas Theological Seminary from my former pastor at Denton Bible Church, Tom Nelson in 1993. It is still in pretty good shape and it’s the one I still preach from

        Like · Reply · 1 · September 25 at 3:08am
      • Dean Revell
        Dean Revell I use the NIV 2011 edition but prefer the 1984 edition. You can barely get the latter anywhere nowadays – but I managed to download a pdf of the whole bible but I cant use it on my ipad !

        Like · Reply · 1 · September 25 at 4:44am
      • Scott D. Foreman
        Scott D. Foreman Love my Ryrie NASB.

        Like · Reply · 1 · September 25 at 4:49am
      • Blaine Cardilli
        Blaine Cardilli Dean Revell my Ryrie is a 1986 edition and I’d love an exact duplicate but the ones I found on ebay are ridiculously high-priced!! frown emoticon

        Like · Reply · September 25 at 4:51am
        • Dean Revell replied · 1 Reply
      • Evan Plante
        Evan Plante I study at a computer mostly… and those pixels just don’t wear out! But the NIV is first in my Bible list… but with dozens waiting to pounce.

        Like · Reply · 2 · September 25 at 4:56am
      • Jason Finch
        Jason Finch I really enjoy the ESV and NASB. I am currently studying much on textual preservation and transmission. I know a lot of KJV only advocates in my area and want to educate myself more so I can reach out to them.

        If anyone is interested, I recommend this book.

        Jason Finch's photo.
        Like · Reply · 3 · September 25 at 6:48am · Edited
      • Fred Apelquist
        Fred Apelquist My wife replaced my earlier worn out NIV Bible with this Life Application Study Bible (also NIV)

        Fred Apelquist's photo.
        Like · Reply · 1 · September 25 at 7:19am
      • Joseph Ford
        Joseph Ford I have a worn out and taped up KJV that I’ve had since I was 16 ,but I moved to ESV and NASB a few years ago when I started my Certificate in Biblical Studies at Front Range Bible Institute. I like word-for-word translations over thought-for-thought.

        Like · Reply · 2 · September 26 at 7:52am
      • Mary Bennett Reetz
        Mary Bennett Reetz Like Kristi-Joy I enjoy the NLT for reading. For study I like the NIV. My church uses the KJV so I use my late mother’s bible. I also have one of my dad’s bibles, and my great grandfather’s bible – both KJV

        Like · Reply · 2 · September 26 at 2:22pm
      • Fred Apelquist
        Fred Apelquist Thoughts?
        I like that many Bible versions exist. I’m for whatever wording (assuming it’s true to the Word) attracts people to God/Christ. If one version touches someone that KJV or NIV (or others) can’t, I’m all for it.
        However, a friend thinks KJV is THE only version to use and that different versions were written for those editors/folks to make money.
        I think that’s cynical, but what are your thought?

        >

        Like · Reply · 1 · September 26 at 2:42pm
        • Wendyl Leslie
          Wendyl Leslie Fred, I think your friend has a point regarding how publishers put out new Bibles for profit. The English Standard Version is a classic example of this. First published and vigorously marketed in 2001, it has since gone through three updates; the last one in 2011. That’s three updates in 10 years.

          Think about it: The NASB has had only one update since it’s inception in 1960 and the NKJV hasn’t had any since its publication in 1982. And the NIV which was first published in 1978 had one revision in 1984. With the exception of its failed TNIV, has had only one in major update in 2011.

          In my humble opinion, we have way too many versions of the Bible. As a result we have a very unstable Bible which has caused much confusion when you have people reading out loud from their different Bibles . . . especially from the pulpit.

          And no, I’m not a KJV Only fan. I use the NIV when answering questions or writing articles for the GotQuestions.org Ministry. But frankly, I seriously question the motive of any publisher who publishes a “new, improved, and modern” Bible today.

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          Like · Reply · Remove Preview · September 26 at 4:32pm
        • Joseph Ford
          Joseph Ford Fred, I like different translations only if they are true to the original languages. That is the word-for-word translations, KJV/NKJV, NASB, ESV. The thought-for-thought translations are not as good, NIV (sorry!), NCV, etc. The worst is The Message bible. It’s best to stay away from that one. My opinions, of course.

          Like · Reply · September 26 at 5:49pm
        • Gwen Sellers

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      • Fred Apelquist
        Fred Apelquist Thanks Wendyl for the great feedback!

        Like · Reply · 1 · September 26 at 4:54pm
      • Fred Apelquist
      • Blaine Cardilli
        Blaine Cardilli I think the KJV certainly has its place but I’m one who believes in digging straight into the original language, be it Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek when studying and though the KJV very often uses English words that better explain something within a verse, more often than not it leaves much to be desired…so I use it only as a back up study to my NIV. And I, too, believe in using many different translations, especially during study, because sometimes the wording of another translation brings clarity to light. That said, the friend you speak of who thinks “other versions” were written to make money is idiotic & absurd…and yes, cynical. When translating the original languages into modern English it’s important to see different perspectives…but only if the new translations adhere to the true meanings. Sorry. Just an old Redneck preachers opinion. smile emoticon

        Like · Reply · September 26 at 6:58pm
      • Dale Agner
        Dale Agner I have used the New American Standard Bible, as it has the reputation of being the closest/most literal to the Greek (especially the sentence structure, which means long sentences, and sometimes a difficult [English] grammatical structure). The English Standard Version is thought to be more true than the NIV, and maintains the easier sentence stucture, but also thought to be as accurate as the NASB. I REALLY like the APP for BibleGateway (.com), as it will facilitate side-by-side translations. When it comes to actual Greek/Hebrew/Aramaic words, I pull out my 20# NASB Exhaustive Concordance. Cheers! -dale

        Like · Reply · September 26 at 9:10pm
      • Fred Apelquist
        Fred Apelquist Blaine, I like your sincere & clear answer. Thx.

        >

        Like · Reply · 1 · September 27 at 7:26am
      • Fred Apelquist
        Fred Apelquist Thanks, Dale, for weighing in. Great comments, all. Thanks for the feedback.

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