What Bible Do Lutherans Use? Is It Better?

Status
Not open for further replies.

DaRev

Well-Known Member
Apr 18, 2006
15,117
716
✟19,002.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
What version of the Bible to Lutherans use?

I guess "officially" the Lutheran Church uses the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament. All pastors are trained in the languages and use them for sermon preparation and teaching. It's best to use the original languages rather than simply rely on someone elses interpretations.

There is no "official" English translation used in the Lutheran church. Some of the different church bodies have preferences that are used in their lectionaries and educational materials.

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod uses the English Standard Version for its liturgical lectionary and much of its newer educational materials. The NIV had been used in recent years, but the synod is moving away from that version.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America uses the New Revised Standard Version in its lectionary and educational publications.

Other versions used include the New King James, New American Standard, and others.
 
Upvote 0
G

GratiaCorpusChristi

Guest
The English Standard received very high praise from the LCMS's recent comparative report on Bible translations. As I recall, it's been approved for liturgical use and there's some talk of having a new ESV Lutheran Study Bible to replace the NIV version.

EDIT:
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod uses the English Standard Version for its liturgical lectionary and much of its newer educational materials. The NIV had been used in recent years, but the synod is moving away from that version

Yeah what he said.

One reason I (we?) feel the ESV is a superior translation is that, like the NIV, it is based on updated texts (unlike KJV), christological (unlike RSV), and not gender-neutral (unlike NRSV), but unlike the NIV, it is an 'essential literal' (word-for-word) translation that leans toward 'formal equivalence,' whereas the NIV is a 'dynamic equivalent' (thought-for-thought) leaning toward 'functional equivelance' that, unfortunately, embeds the translation's interpretation of a thought into the text.
 
Upvote 0

C.F.W. Walther

Well-Known Member
May 11, 2005
3,571
148
78
MissourA
✟11,979.00
Faith
Seeker
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Constitution
What version of the Bible to Lutherans use?

A big one with big letters and pretty pictures.
_41088327_xuanminh203.jpg
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

DaRev

Well-Known Member
Apr 18, 2006
15,117
716
✟19,002.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Married
One reason I (we?) feel the ESV is a superior translation is that, like the NIV, it is based on updated texts (unlike KJV)

Actually, there are some good arguments towards the Ecclesiastical Text (that which is used by the KJV and the basis for the NKJV).
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums
G

GratiaCorpusChristi

Guest
DaRev said:
Actually, there are some good arguments towards the Ecclesiastical Text (that which is used by the KJV and the basis for the NKJV).

You mean the Textus Receptus?

You're right, there are some good arguments. I would actually like to see the English Standard be the Bible from which Lutherans are encouraged to study, but the King James be the one proclaimed in the reading (with the NKJV printed so the congregation can follow along). Just a thought- and personal preference.

That said, and as much as I love the King James language, I find the arguments for using the MT OT and older NT codecies more compelling. Then again, I am really no expert on the subject and am doing little more here than bowing to the majority scholarly opinion.
 
Upvote 0

Edial

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Nov 3, 2004
31,702
1,425
United States
✟63,157.00
Faith
Lutheran
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
The English Standard received very high praise from the LCMS's recent comparative report on Bible translations. As I recall, it's been approved for liturgical use and there's some talk of having a new ESV Lutheran Study Bible to replace the NIV version.

EDIT:

Yeah what he said.

One reason I (we?) feel the ESV is a superior translation is that, like the NIV, it is based on updated texts (unlike KJV), christological (unlike RSV), and not gender-neutral (unlike NRSV), but unlike the NIV, it is an 'essential literal' (word-for-word) translation that leans toward 'formal equivalence,' whereas the NIV is a 'dynamic equivalent' (thought-for-thought) leaning toward 'functional equivelance' that, unfortunately, embeds the translation's interpretation of a thought into the text.
Good post.
One note, NIV is not defined as thought-for-thought, paraphrases are (Good News, Message).
Dynamic equivalent is more like adapting Greek and Hebrew to English - a middle ground between the Literal and Paraphrases (thought-for-thought).

NIV uses lexicons in defining its' words, paraphrases do not.

I use NIV (have a software package), yet use Greek/Hebrew lexicons for study.

Thanks,
Ed
 
Upvote 0

RayJGentry

Active Member
Dec 25, 2005
175
6
42
Brookings, SD
✟7,847.00
Faith
Lutheran
Politics
US-Others
I use ESV mostly. I bought my copy when they first came out with the translation a few years ago. I also use NIV and NRSV (NRSV since I'm ELCA). I prefer the ESV for everything I do, however I have a lot of notes in the NRSV from my Bible Class at Luther College, so I pull it out once in a while.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

synger

Confessional Liturgical Lutheran
Supporter
Sep 12, 2006
14,537
1,565
59
✟44,856.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
A big one with big letters and pretty pictures.
Like this one?

c3121jbd206a.jpg


When I was visiting my father for his 85th birthday bash, he got out the family Bible. It's a huge old Luther Bible. None of us can read German anymore, of course, but it's always so wonderful to look at and hold. And it's huge and HEAVY.
 
Upvote 0
Status
Not open for further replies.