What Do Episcopalians Think of The Christian Standard Bible?

Isilwen

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I have a Logos account and every month they send me the new free book of the month. I have gotten a book here and there, but don't usually take advantage of it.

Yesterday, I got the email stating that the Christian Standard Study Bible was the free book of the month. So, I went ahead and took advantage of the deal and it is now part of my library on Logos. Seemed like a great deal to me.

I am curious to see what Episcopalians felt about this version of the Bible?

Here is a link to the about: About the Christian Standard Bible - CSB
 

tampasteve

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I am not Episcopal, but I am ELCA Lutheran and we are in Full Communion. I think it is a decent translation using relatively simple English. I own one and reference it occasionally for a comparison. I believe the translation team leaned Evangelical due to its ties to the SBC, but it is not overly evident in the work completed IMO. The HCSB (the CSB predecessor) used some interesting choices like "Yahweh" instead of Lord, but the CSB changed those choices back.
 
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Isilwen

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I have always thought of the HCSB to be Baptist leaning. Am I wrong in that thought?

I have one in the Firefighter/EMS version that my ex-wife bought me one year as a birthday present.
 
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Isilwen

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I just realized that I have had a paper copy of the Christian Standard Bible for a couple years now. I had given it to my oldest daughter when she was living with me. When she left, she didn't take it with her.

I just cannot read it as it's 7.5 type and just too small for me to read comfortably.
 
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tampasteve

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I have always thought of the HCSB to be Baptist leaning. Am I wrong in that thought?

I have one in the Firefighter/EMS version that my ex-wife bought me one year as a birthday present.
No, you are correct. The HCSB was funded by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the CSB is a major revision of the HCSB. That said, in my opinion it is not overly Baptist as it is a translation aimed at a broad Protestant base and not just the SBC and it is not a study Bible either.
 
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Anthony2019

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I think it is good to have different translations of the Bible to get a broader understanding of the meaning of the text.

I use the NRSV for studying the Bible and the Good News Bible which is designed for easier reading.
 
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Isilwen

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No, you are correct. The HCSB was funded by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the CSB is a major revision of the HCSB. That said, in my opinion it is not overly Baptist as it is a translation aimed at a broad Protestant base and not just the SBC and it is not a study Bible either.

I may read from this version of the Bible this year then. What little I perused of it I did like the way it's set-up.

While I have it electronically, I still prefer paper over electronic, so I will look into getting a more readable (think large print type... lol) copy of it.
 
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Isilwen

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I think it is good to have different translations of the Bible to get a broader understanding of the meaning of the text.

I use the NRSV for studying the Bible and the Good News Bible which is designed for easier reading.

I am not much for studying and while I have a few different translations now, when I read I tend to stick to just one translation.

Thank you for your response!
 
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Isilwen

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That being said, for what it's worth the CSB is not listed in the canons as authorized for public worship.

I did notice that myself. However, I also noticed the NKJV isn't listed either and I know quite a few Episcopalians that read that translation.
 
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Arcangl86

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I did notice that myself. However, I also noticed the NKJV isn't listed either and I know quite a few Episcopalians that read that translation.
Thus the disclaimer. The Church doesn't really regulate private spiritual practice the way some other traditions do, so there is no real official stance on any translation of the bible besides approval or disapproval for public use. I personally have no exprience with it, so I got ntohing to add from my perspective.
 
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everbecoming2007

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My impression, from comparing the verses offered by that website, is that the CSB is somewhat inferior to other translations, even those others that seek to make the wording more readable or contemporary.

I cannot comment much on translations myself. But for devotional and study purposes, the King James is the only translation I have read in full, including the Apocrypha or deuterocanonicals, multiple times.

I have consulted and read large chunks of other translations, but mainly the New King James (which I read once) and the Douay Rheims (which I read much of).

I do not much like most contemporary translations. However, I do have The Jewish Study Bible (JPS Tanakh), copyrighted 2004. I actually enjoy this contemporary translation and the Jewish commentary is in depth and interesting.
 
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Shane R

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I used to plug that version hard when it was HCSB. I somehow (I don't recall exactly how it came about) ended up on their review panel and they sent me revisions in advance at no cost. CSB is the second revision of the original HCSB. Unfortunately, with this revision they have stripped away all of the features that made the HCSB notable. The CSB is essentially an NIV with a Southern Baptist flare. They sent me a nice one with leather cover and everything and I don't use it. I still use the first edition (HCSB) to read the Bible to my children though.
 
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Albion

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I The CSB is essentially an NIV with a Southern Baptist flare.
I have almost no familiarity with the CSB while you have a lot, but what you say here is essentially how it came across to me as I was doing my cursory reading of some of the verses.
 
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everbecoming2007

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I used to plug that version hard when it was HCSB. I somehow (I don't recall exactly how it came about) ended up on their review panel and they sent me revisions in advance at no cost. CSB is the second revision of the original HCSB. Unfortunately, with this revision they have stripped away all of the features that made the HCSB notable. The CSB is essentially an NIV with a Southern Baptist flare. They sent me a nice one with leather cover and everything and I don't use it. I still use the first edition (HCSB) to read the Bible to my children though.

I never cared for the NIV myself, and when I read about it, I do not have much interest in it. I have read large portions of it, though. But it's not my preferred reading.
 
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Shane R

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I think it is good to have different translations of the Bible to get a broader understanding of the meaning of the text.

I use the NRSV for studying the Bible and the Good News Bible which is designed for easier reading.
I visited the local Greek Orthodox parish during the Greek Fest about a year ago. To my surprise, they had GNT Bibles in some of the pews. I never figured the Orthodox would go for such a dynamic Bible version.

I had to go up to Baltimore a couple of years ago and our Maryland National Guard chaplain had piles of give away Bibles. They were GNT. He gave one to me and my rector. That was my first experience with GNT. The Song of Songs is outstanding in that version. Most of the NT is not so good.
 
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Andrewn

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The CSB is essentially an NIV with a Southern Baptist flare. They sent me a nice one with leather cover and everything and I don't use it. I still use the first edition (HCSB) to read the Bible to my children though.

I never cared for the NIV myself, and when I read about it, I do not have much interest in it. I have read large portions of it, though. But it's not my preferred reading.
I think the CSB is better than either NIV or HCSB, for adults. I would recommend it for new Christians and anyone who is not satisfied with the translation they currently read.

As far as GNT is concerned, it's been around since the 60's and has been quite successful. I think it was the first thought-for-thought translation. NLT, another thought-for-thought translation has recently achieved widespread usage. I think these are not suitable for NT study or for reading the Psalms.
 
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