Need Help...I'm Obsessed

[25R]

Not sure what I'm looking for, I know there is no perfect answer. I've been reading articles/blog posts/forums posts on differences between the received texts and critical texts. At first it was just interesting because I have been planning to get a new (full time) bible. Unfortunately, all the arguments have made it impossible for me to think through all the issues.

In my head I know that all the major translations are fine, I just can stop thinking that I need the "right" one. My brain is almost paralyzed by the possibility of choosing wrong.

Sounds very silly to me, but I'm stuck.

Thanks for listening...

 

[amadeus2]

Remember that the Word of God is alive, not dead, not just printed words on a page.

The printed words on the page, I believe, are the very dead flesh of Jesus. When those words are quickened (brought to Life) by the Spirit of God in a person, then they have become the Word of God in that person.

As you already know, many people have many different opinions about which version or translation to use, but is not God able through His Spirit in you to bring to Life those otherwise dead words... without regard to whether you read in Spanish or Russian or English; or if you are scholar in Hebrew and ancient Greek?

Jesus spoke many words, but He spoke in parables and so does God speak to us through the scriptures. If we are not allowing His Spirit to interpret them within us so that they have Life, how much understanding of His message to us will we have?

I have met people who have condemned the original KJV and I know people who will not use anything else. I myself read three Bibles regularly, and God has quickened things to me in each of them. I could give you my preferences, but that will not necessarily be where God wants you to be...

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" Mat 7:7

Be sure and ask the One who definitely always has the correct answers for you!

 

[25R]

Thank you Amadeus2,

I've just chosen and brought home my new "go to" bible. ESV if anyone is curious. No doubt I'll keep my HCSB and NKJV handy, and from time to time I'll find myself in a King Jamesy mood.

I'll be back after I read for a while and move all my bookmarks

 

[hedrick]

I'm glad you've found one you like. The ESV is a fine translation, although I don't find it as readable as others.

I assume you're aware that the differences in text don't affect the meaning of the Bible. It's minor differences in wording. Even where whole passages are present in one and not the other, there are other places in the Bible that say the same thing.

 

[brevis]

Not sure what I'm looking for, I know there is no perfect answer. I've been reading articles/blog posts/forums posts on differences between the received texts and critical texts. At first it was just interesting because I have been planning to get a new (full time) bible. Unfortunately, all the arguments have made it impossible for me to think through all the issues.

In my head I know that all the major translations are fine, I just can stop thinking that I need the "right" one. My brain is almost paralyzed by the possibility of choosing wrong.

Sounds very silly to me, but I'm stuck.

Thanks for listening...

No, it isn't silly at all, when there are many options out there it's very hard for us to choose. Just read "The Paradox of Choice", if you are interested.

As for the Bible, many among those who campaign for this or that version, know far less than they appear to. Few have read if ever a manuscript, even less touch one. The thing is that some doctrines rest in a strict interpretation of a minute number of verses, and if you even touch a comma of those, the guys who defend that doctrine feel challenged; sometimes rightly so, yet more often I really can't see where could be a problem.

Now, translating is not maths, and furthermore, not everybody works with the same source materials (which differ slightly). Nobody knows for certain which manuscripts are closer to the originals, so they guess based on this or that rule.

So settle for a couple of good versions and relax. That or go for a Ph.D.

 

[juvenissun]

Thank you Amadeus2,

I've just chosen and brought home my new "go to" bible. ESV if anyone is curious. No doubt I'll keep my HCSB and NKJV handy, and from time to time I'll find myself in a King Jamesy mood.

I'll be back after I read for a while and move all my bookmarks

Amadeus2 is right. The Holy Spirit is the one Who helps us to read and to understand. So, pick up a "normal" one and read it. If you are not satisfied, then look around as guided by the Holy Spirit.