I have begun searching for a bible translation in order to better understand God’s word. However there are so many translations and some people swear by some and avoid others. My first bible was an NIV student bible that taught me so much but I never really read it all the way through except for Revelations and the Gospel of John. Even though I had read John, my roommate at DBU, instead of being praised, stated that was the easiest book to read. I felt like I was a kid that just figured out how to read and it was demoralizing. I didn’t last at the school and I wonder if this incident contributed to that.
As the years went on my faith dwindled. I dabbled in Catholicism, witchcraft (like Catholicism right? Haha! I jest), and non-denominational religions. It wasn’t until 2010-2011 that I went to a Christian rock concert with MercyMe that I decided to give myself fully to God. Now I’m 27 and my son’s Baptism was a yesterday. Now I feel like I must live up to the vows of his baptism and raise him in the church and in the ways of Jesus. To do this, I must read the Holy Bible in its entirety. However, finding the right translation has proved difficult.
Since I’ve only really read the NIV I thought that would be great to continue reading. But with the invention of the internet and blogging, people have denounced certain translations and advocate the truest form of God’s word in the King James Version Bible. The KJV has archaic language that the English world no longer speaks nor teaches in public schools. I have no idea what “thou”, “ye”, “begat” really mean and it feels like a barrier I have to pass before I can understand God’s meaning. Shouldn’t I be able to understand the language that way I can start studying the bible?
Apparently if I’m not reading the KJV I might be going to hell according to certain websites. God’s word cannot be changed, diluted, or omitted so I’m left with studying a language and 1000 plus pages of text. Even if the English was understandable, then the meaning of the passage might still be confusing. Jesus himself had to tell his apostles, “Look you dummies, this is what I meant. Can’t you understand that?” He didn’t use those exact words but maybe Eugene Peterson will use it in his updated version of The Message bible. The bible itself is a mountain of words, stories, people, and measurements (right Noah?). But like a mountain, getting to the top is not easy and it’s more mental than physical, though being physical helps. Well maybe not in the bible. However, there are some heavy bibles that are hardcover and weigh 50 pounds. Ok I’m getting off topic. Where were we? Mountains, yes? They’re big, intimidating, and long but the feeling of reaching the summit is glorious. It’s almost like being closer to God because you’re so high up.
I’m pretty sure when I read the bible, God will reveal himself to me and the nitpicking of a translation will be less important than getting closer to him. So hopefully my journey through the Bible will leave me feeling refreshed, not tired, inspired not defeated, closer to God, not further.
As the years went on my faith dwindled. I dabbled in Catholicism, witchcraft (like Catholicism right? Haha! I jest), and non-denominational religions. It wasn’t until 2010-2011 that I went to a Christian rock concert with MercyMe that I decided to give myself fully to God. Now I’m 27 and my son’s Baptism was a yesterday. Now I feel like I must live up to the vows of his baptism and raise him in the church and in the ways of Jesus. To do this, I must read the Holy Bible in its entirety. However, finding the right translation has proved difficult.
Since I’ve only really read the NIV I thought that would be great to continue reading. But with the invention of the internet and blogging, people have denounced certain translations and advocate the truest form of God’s word in the King James Version Bible. The KJV has archaic language that the English world no longer speaks nor teaches in public schools. I have no idea what “thou”, “ye”, “begat” really mean and it feels like a barrier I have to pass before I can understand God’s meaning. Shouldn’t I be able to understand the language that way I can start studying the bible?
Apparently if I’m not reading the KJV I might be going to hell according to certain websites. God’s word cannot be changed, diluted, or omitted so I’m left with studying a language and 1000 plus pages of text. Even if the English was understandable, then the meaning of the passage might still be confusing. Jesus himself had to tell his apostles, “Look you dummies, this is what I meant. Can’t you understand that?” He didn’t use those exact words but maybe Eugene Peterson will use it in his updated version of The Message bible. The bible itself is a mountain of words, stories, people, and measurements (right Noah?). But like a mountain, getting to the top is not easy and it’s more mental than physical, though being physical helps. Well maybe not in the bible. However, there are some heavy bibles that are hardcover and weigh 50 pounds. Ok I’m getting off topic. Where were we? Mountains, yes? They’re big, intimidating, and long but the feeling of reaching the summit is glorious. It’s almost like being closer to God because you’re so high up.
I’m pretty sure when I read the bible, God will reveal himself to me and the nitpicking of a translation will be less important than getting closer to him. So hopefully my journey through the Bible will leave me feeling refreshed, not tired, inspired not defeated, closer to God, not further.
