Bible versions.

[JBMM]

Hello, all! I am a Roman Catholic researching other denominations. I was curious, I have a KJV and a NIV 2011 Study Bible. Which would be suitable for usage in the Lutheran church? I heard the NIV 2011 is frowned upon, but do Lutherans use the KJV at all?

Thanks!

 

[Resha Caner]

You'll find a lot of lay Lutherans using the NIV because it's easy to read and understand. However, you're right that the purists don't like the theological implications of the NIV in several places.

Then you have the opposite problem with the KJV. Most purists will accept it, but the everyday Lutheran doesn't like it because they think its hard to understand.

The compromise is the ESV, which is what has been adopted by the LCMS.

... alphabet soup

 

[Tangible]

There is no denying the beauty of the language used in the KJV, even if some of it is quite obscure to the modern reader (froward?) and other places where a modern reader would probably understand the exact opposite of what the text means (prevent?). Education and research can easily clear up these instances, but that takes time, effort, and an inquisitive mind.

The Lutheran Liturgical Prayer Brotherhood materials use the KJV for their chants and readings, probably due to its historicity, the linguistic beauty, and the fact that it is in the public domain.

http://llpb.us/


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[JBMM]

Thank you both for your informative replies.

God bless!

 

[ViaCrucis]

Most English speaking Lutherans, from what I've seen, tend to use either the ESV or the NRSV. Both are, in my opinion, good translations.

If the choice had to be between the KJV or the NIV, I would--tentatively--suggest the KJV over the NIV. Though I'd definitely recommend the ESV or NRSV over both the KJV or NIV.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Most English speaking Lutherans, from what I've seen, tend to use either the ESV or the NRSV. Both are, in my opinion, good translations.

If the choice had to be between the KJV or the NIV, I would--tentatively--suggest the KJV over the NIV. Though I'd definitely recommend the ESV or NRSV over both the KJV or NIV.

-CryptoLutheran

I agree with your choices, but I would insert the NKJV between the ESV and the the NRSV.

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

nm.

 

[KevinC1129]

When the NIV is used, the 1984 edition is preferred over the 2011, mainly due to the gender neutral pronouns used in the 2011 version.

 

[Stabat Mater dolorosa]

When the NIV is used, the 1984 edition is preferred over the 2011, mainly due to the gender neutral pronouns used in the 2011 version.

I don't use either one of them, but I hear you.
Concordant is imho prefered over idiomatic because I really dislike the idea of the translators influencing my reading through a possible agenda.

Idiomatic is a modern translation method and often with a more modernised language which I personally dislike.

The closer to the original script, the better is my take on this.

 

[Clovis Man]

Hello, all! I am a Roman Catholic researching other denominations. I was curious, I have a KJV and a NIV 2011 Study Bible. Which would be suitable for usage in the Lutheran church? I heard the NIV 2011 is frowned upon, but do Lutherans use the KJV at all?

Thanks!

You may use whichever one you wish. If you want to do some serious Bible study, I suggest you either learn Koine Greek, or use a word-for-word translation, such as Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible. There are a few out there and I find them helpful regardless of where I plan to use them.

Of course, this only relates to the New Testament, which is where most of my intense digging takes place.

 

[MichaelNZ]

I would recommend ESV or NASB, or NKJV if you hold to the Majority Text/TR position.