I just picked up an NRSV

[Colabomb]

I just picked up an NRSV with Apocrypha.

I was curious.

I know many of you like it, and that many of you hate it.

I know it has a reputation for being liberal, but so far I have not found anything too objectional. I don't like the forced language used to neutralize the text, but so far I don't know if I see anything that would make it "bad" persay.

Could we discuss the translation, in a civil toungue?

 

[TomUK]

I really enjoy using the NRSV. In the Church of England it is the translation used to construct Common Worship etc. and so it's really nice to see such strong connections between the liturgy and the bible.

Like you however, i do sometimes feel that the gender neutrality is being forced upon you.

 

[Simon_Templar]

I don't know much about the NSRV... I however just got an ESV and I love it and HIGHLY recomend it!!!!

 

[karen freeinchristman]

i do sometimes feel that the gender neutrality is being forced upon you.

Can you give some examples where there is gender neutrality in the NRSV that should not be there? Just curious. The gender neutral version of the NIV that I have states that they have only referred to both genders in places where the original language would have meant both, and that they did not use gender neutrality where it was not originally intended. What could be wrong with that? Might not be what some people are used to, but if it is more accurate, then all the better.

 

[TomUK]

Can you give some examples where there is gender neutrality in the NRSV that should not be there? Just curious. The gender neutral version of the NIV that I have states that they have only referred to both genders in places where the original language would have meant both, and that they did not use gender neutrality where it was not originally intended. What could be wrong with that? Might not be what some people are used to, but if it is more accurate, then all the better.

My objections to aren't theological - my knowledge of Greek or Hebrew is not sufficient for that. It's just that sometimes when i'm reading a passage examples of the gender neutrality just jump out at me and jar my reading of the passage. It doesn't flow. I just wonder some times whether they've sacrificed fluency in order to be politically correct.

That's not to say i don't like the translation however, as i'd chose it any time over its alternatives (though the NEB is fast approaching the top spot!)

 

[IowaLutheran]

My reason for liking the NRSV is simply that older translations (RSV, KJV) use words that make it hard for me to understand what they are talking about, while contemporary translations (CEV, etc.) are so "dumbed down" that the poetical portions totally lose their beauty. The NRSV is the only Bible that I have that comes close to striking the right balance between the two - using modern words but retaining some of the "majestic" quality. As far as the gender-neutral stuff, I don't really notice it; in fact, I have read many passages of the NRSV over and over and except for the "young woman"/"virgin" discrepancy I haven't noticed anything significant.

 

[gitlance]

I like it, but I prefer RSV.

 

[Fish and Bread]

The NRSV is my preferred translation. It's not perfect, but it is really has very good combination of scholarly accuracy and readability, and continues in the KJV tradition (Which is more important than one might think -- I've picked up some bibles that use equally valid, but odd sounding, word choices because they're not giving any consideration to staying consistant with the way the bible has bene translated into English in the past... the NRSV retains much of the poetry of the KJV in more modern language).

 

[Wiffey]

I have a great college study edition of the NRSV that I use for serious reading, and a NKJV that I use for devotional purposes, as I like wording of the Psalms, etc.

 

[longhair75]

i read the oxford annotated nrsv for study, and the kjv for illumination

 

[AngCath]

I like very much the NRSV, but prefer the Revised English Bible because of the style. the NRSV is among the most accurate Bibles around. not that it is a "word-for-word" translation because it is not, but it does have a great balance of word for word and thought for thought translation. It is a good translation for serious study.

 

[Simon_Templar]

I'm tellin ya ESV all the way

 

[Timothy]

Simon, I'm with you on the ESV! I love it! I tend to use that, the NASB and my computer's version of the NRSV for studying, and the NEB and the Message for Bible studies with overly-Protestant friends. they're like lethal weapons against the overwhelming forces of the NIV!

I personally am of the view that the NRSV is among the most scholarly of translations, that gender neutrality is in fact truer to the greek. But that might just be me.

Timothy (not a big NIV fan here)

 

[AngCath]

(not a big NIV fan here)

not here either. That's been another plus of the REB for me as well... my uber-protestant friends and my ultra-catholic friends both like it. I know, a miracle!

 

[Simon_Templar]

NIV = Non inspired version... Just kidding (mostly)

 

[karen freeinchristman]

I only bought my NIV because as a 'newbie' I was excited by the 'gender neutral' version of it. (Try being a woman in a very patriarchic religion) (Go on, try it, I dare ya'!)
We use NRSV at Church, and actually, when I study the verses that I am due to read in a Sunday service, I usually prefer the NIV to the NRSV, but obviously I have to read from the NRSV at church.

Yesterday I finally got a 'Message' bible!

I just think it is so great that we have all of these different translations. (but confusing, too) I wish I was fluent in the original languages.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

There are only two types of Bible......




































your own, and everyone else's.

 

[Fish and Bread]

I only bought my NIV because as a 'newbie' I was excited by the 'gender neutral' version of it. (Try being a woman in a very patriarchic religion) (Go on, try it, I dare ya'!)
We use NRSV at Church, and actually, when I study the verses that I am due to read in a Sunday service, I usually prefer the NIV to the NRSV, but obviously I have to read from the NRSV at church.

Even though I prefer the NRSV, I understand the appeal of the NIV. NIV allows some inaccuracies to get through semi-frequently and drops a lot of the wonderful majestic language of the bibles in the King James line (Such as the NRSV), but is more personal, like a tender letter from a Fatherly God. It reminds me of the way Martin Luther might have translated the bible in English, had he spoke English well enough to do so, and lived in the present day. But I've had some bad experiences where I've relied on something in NIV without doublechecking with another translation and have been burned on it in group discussion when it turns out the NIV just flat out got the passage wrong -- the NIV definitely leans towards understandability over accuracy in translation. So, it's not my primary bible, but it the version I'm using for chronological reading, since it's easier to read large chunks at a time with that translation and so forth.

 

[AngCath]

I think you hit on a good point. A good translation is one that you will read and read regularly. If that is the NIV for someone, great. if its the RSV or NRSV, awsome. Just find a solid translation and READ IT!!!

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I think you hit on a good point. A good translation is one that you will read and read regularly. If that is the NIV for someone, great. if its the RSV or NRSV, awsome. Just find a solid translation and READ IT!!!

Exactly!