Too many Bibles! HELP!

[DhikrAllah]

Hello there. I have grown up in a nominally Christian country (UK) but follow Islam. I grew up studying Christianity (Divinity and then Religious Studies classes — compulsory in my school), sang hymns at school (I went to a Christian grammar school as opposed to a secular one for its superior education), spoke a lot to a friend who took Religious Studies at A–Level, etc. I believe I know a lot about Christianity, theology, and so forth and have (I would submit) worthy contributions in this regard. Thus I regard it unfair I cannot post in numerous interesting sections. I have already drifted off–topic! Forgive me, and allow me to start again…

In this thread someone speaks about versions of the Bible and asks the thread instigator to await a 2006 publication of ’ESV’. I quote:

The ESV is good in many ways. However, there are a few problem areas, so I would recommend that you wait until the revision is finished (going on now, published in 2006).

Here are a few of the problem areas…

(S)He goes on to list them, including translations showing inaccuracies in English. (S)He impressed me in terms of knowledge, and I had a few questions. As I can’t post there I’ll have to ask here:

What does ’ESV’ stand for and when in 2006 will it come out? More importantly, with all these dizzyingly bewildering versions of The Bible everywhere which particular version should I buy (I have plenty bookmarked online, I wish to buy a hard copy for myself)? Linguistically I love the poetry of the KJV, but I have no idea!

HELP!

 

[LyricalX]

Well I've ordered the Good Man's Bible

BUT that's for begginers

So I wouldn't recomend it for you

May I ask you where I could get a modern English interpretation of the Qu'ran?

 

[DhikrAllah]

May I ask you where I could get a modern English interpretation of the Qu'ran?

Indeed you may! *awaits asking* Only joking!

On a more serious note, I have to tell you that no interpretation can count as the literal word of Allah. Also, many passages (the ’Throne verse’ in particular) lose a lot of their majestic poetry in translation. Moreover, most Muslims tend to use the Qur’an in more of a liturgical way than personal reading (though many do that to: my father for one).

Most interpretations have come from decades ago and still try to emulate that sense of grandeur you can find in the Bible. Accordingly, and because it includes extensive explanatory footnotes, a very good introduction, and contexts for each of the Chapters (Surat), I’d recommend M.A.S. Abdel Haleem’s contemporary rendition. I originally tried to link to it on Amazon.com but my lack of posts + blessings thwarted my attempts to do so. You’ll have to search yourself, I regret to inform you!

I hope it proves illuminating.

 

[LyricalX]

Well if Islam is the path I was to choose, that would mean learning Arabic (which won't be easy!), but i'll happily do it.

Right now i'm torn between Islam and Christianity

 

[DhikrAllah]

On my profile I’ve put ’Liberal–Fundamentalist’ as my beliefs, but I don’t know how to describe them really. I consider myself a liberal, but would like us to stay true to certain fundamental principles of Islam and our Prophet’s teachings. As a community where I live, for example, we don’t think of those outside us enough. Whereas our Prophet lived with Jews & some Christians in Medina (at that time called Yathrib).

On our 2nd Eid (Eid–ul–adha) we give alms and help feed the poor. How about helping to feed non–Muslims too? That would help more than only Muslims, and would make us care about the wider society in which we live. I have all sorts of ideas. Perhaps I should detail them in a blog or something!

I tend to sidetrack myself — hardly the most auspicious of beginnings. Happy birthday anniversary to you, incidentally! I believe that we each make a personal contract between us and Allah (meaning, literally, ’the God’: al–Lah). Your true path will come to you in time so don’t fret too much.

I know a devout Muslim who always comes to my house and chats with me. He started off following Christianity. Why do you agonise between Islam and Christianity, and what pulls & pushes you either way?

 

[LyricalX]

Well I was first attracted to Islam after reading the autobiography of El Hajj malik El Shabbaz (also known as Malcolm X), after he split from Nation of Islam he went to Mecca and discovered TRUE Islam.

And his criticisms of Christianity we're spot on in some places.

Christianities history is what turns me off it the most, and it's VERY peaceful ways. Sometimes you have to fight back.

Nothing really turns me away from Islam. But nothing attracts me like Jesus Christ does. If he was true, I would become a Christian right away.

Also, im so in deep with my social surroundings, it would be hard for me to follow some of the teachings, that goes with both religions.

I also think I find Christianity attractive because of my Western upbringing. We sung hyms in school etc. It is pushed in your brain (that could be good or bad, who knows)

It's a tough one

 

[ReBjorn]

Why do you agonise between Islam and Christianity, and what pulls & pushes you either way?

I believe that God is Love. I believe Jesus removed the veil, the blocking that was between us and God, because man sinned. Through His sacrifice, God sees us as He sees Jesus! We're back to where Adam was before the fall, and God wants to have a personal relationship with all humans. This will not happen if one does not receive Jesus as Saviour. No one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.

As you might know, we believe that Jesus is God. He showed His love to the human race by doing what He did. But His name is Holy, and another name of His is Righteous. He can not tolerate sin. There is a gap between us and God because of the fall. Jesus bridged that gap. Through faith in Him, we are declared righteous before God, and will stand at the day of judgement. This has nothing to do with our works, it has to do with who He is and what He did - He is God, and when He does something, He does the job well. He took all my sins away, nailed them to the cross. Not that I should not do acts of righteousness and so on. This comes automatically with the mercy God shows us, because of the joy in the Lord, and because of the guidance of The Holy Spirit. We gather treasures in heaven.

Those who have been forgiven much, loves even more.
And no one has greater love than He who gives His life for His friends.

God has two addresses - on high and with those that suffer:

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

Finally, let me answer to your original question - there are many versions, yes. I strongly recommend the New International Version, the King James Version 1611, or the New King James version. These are good. Of course, some people speak hebrew, arameic or greek, but I don't. If there are some words I'm wondering about in relation to the original scriptures, I can look it up. Also, I really recommend E-Sword. Good luck with your exploration. Hope you will find some answers.

 

[ReBjorn]

Decided to delete this post. Sorry about that.

 

[bethdinsmore]

I prefer the NIV and the NASB, because they are versions which are in modern English and are based on the most reliable manuscripts (the oldest, least copied). NIV is dynamic equivalent (meaning for meaning) while NASV is word for word. And an Interlinear Bible helps a lot, because it gives in addition the original language.

With my Bible Soft program, I have many tools and Bibles, and can see definitions and commentaries on the verses.

As far as a type of Bible, I love my Thompsons's Chain Reference of the NIV - it gives verses on a couple of thousand subjects, without reliance on commentary. It is great for personal devotions or for teaching the Bible.

Please let me know if I can help further - I was an atheist (not implying that you are) who investigated and chose Christianity.

God bless you.
Aloha in Jesus

 

[Catherineanne]

HELP!

For sheer poetry, I think the King James is hard to beat. A more accessible version is the New King James, and if I were choosing this as a gift for you, that is the one I would choose.

I also have the New International Version, and the Good News version in the house, which I use when I need to find my way around more quickly (the pages and print are larger.) I also have a copy of Tyndale's New Testament, which is very interesting reading.

I don't think that there is such a thing as an inaccurate or misleading version of the Bible, so that in a sense it does not matter which you choose. All that matters is to read it with your heart, as well as your head, as with any holy book.

 

[GK]

The best translation is the one you read. There are dozens of English translations as well as translations in hundreds (thousands, maybe?) of other languages. Yes, there are minor differences from one to another, but the core message is the same. Most people who argue strongly for one or another are really arguing out of their preference, feeling the need to justify their preference rather than accepting it as a preference.

If you like the poetic language of the KJV, read the KJV. If you want a translation that is more textually accurate based on modern English and modern improvements in translation (due to new understandings of ancient culture, which allows us to better understand what the orginal text was really saying), consider the New American Standard Bible (NASB). For ease of reading, maybe the New International Version (NIV) or New Living Translation (NLV).

As an interesting note, most protestant-published Bibles have removed a few books from the older canon (official grouping of books), where Catholic-published Bibles will retain the full canon. The New American Bible (NAB, not to be confused with NASB above) and Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition (RSV-CE) are good choices. For the poetic language similar to the KJV in a Catholic Bible, you might look at the Douay-Rheims.

In the end, the words I first wrote are the most important. While all translations differ in small ways, they are alike in the important ways. All communicate the Word of God.

 

[elijah115]

i think most of the answers you've recieved have been pretty well rounded and i agree with them

 

[Adstar]

DhikrAllah

I can only advise you to read the New King James Version Bible. It is the one i have and it was the one that convinced me of the truth of Jesus.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[Adstar]

LyricalXWell I was first attracted to Islam after reading the autobiography of El Hajj malik El Shabbaz (also known as Malcolm X), after he split from Nation of Islam he went to Mecca and discovered TRUE Islam.

I though you where influenced my malcomX your name indicated it.

Christianities history is what turns me off it the most, and it's VERY peaceful ways. Sometimes you have to fight back.

Nothing really turns me away from Islam. But nothing attracts me like Jesus Christ does. If he was true, I would become a Christian right away.

LyricalX you seem to be contridicting yourself hear. Let me explain:

First you reject the concept loving your emanies and turning the other cheak but then go on to state that if Jesus is true you would become a Christian right away.

Can you not see that Jesus is the One who taught us to love our enamies and to turn the other cheak?

So hear is the conflicting bind you are in. If Jesus is true (and of cource He is ) then Loving your enamies and truning the cheak is also true. you cannot accept the One and reject the other.

Just another point. You cannot reject a faith because of the actions of people who claim adhearance to that faith down through history. You can only accept or reject the teachings of the founder of that faith.



All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[chris414]

You cannot reject a faith because of the actions of people who claim adhearance to that faith down through history. You can only accept or reject the teachings of the founder of that faith.

There will always be misguided people who mistake the Word of God to mean something else.

 

[milestone]

my personal opinion on this matter of "which bible" is get a King James Bible, and a Hebrew OT and a Greek NT.

NOT an interliniar (sp?)

I would then begin by studying the english, and if something seems to be wrong, using Strongs Concordance, reference the greek or hebrew word.

Remember, though, the Old Testament is absolutely full to the brim of prophecy and "shadow" of Jesus christ (if you don't understand shadow, post back and i'll explain)

 

[revmalone]

Hello there. I have grown up in a nominally Christian country (UK) but follow Islam. I grew up studying Christianity (Divinity and then Religious Studies classes — compulsory in my school), sang hymns at school (I went to a Christian grammar school as opposed to a secular one for its superior education), spoke a lot to a friend who took Religious Studies at A–Level, etc. I believe I know a lot about Christianity, theology, and so forth and have (I would submit) worthy contributions in this regard. Thus I regard it unfair I cannot post in numerous interesting sections. I have already drifted off–topic! Forgive me, and allow me to start again…

In this thread someone speaks about versions of the Bible and asks the thread instigator to await a 2006 publication of ’ESV’. I quoteS)He goes on to list them, including translations showing inaccuracies in English. (S)He impressed me in terms of knowledge, and I had a few questions. As I can’t post there I’ll have to ask here:

What does ’ESV’ stand for and when in 2006 will it come out? More importantly, with all these dizzyingly bewildering versions of The Bible everywhere which particular version should I buy (I have plenty bookmarked online, I wish to buy a hard copy for myself)? Linguistically I love the poetry of the KJV, but I have no idea!

HELP!

If you want a Bible that cannot be proven wrong by anyone who studies it will be the KJV. I have used it for over 25yrs and never has it been proven wrong.

I lie not, The Lord is witness.
Bro Malone

 

[Shakon]

I agree with you. KJV's language is beautiful, but really hard to understand. My suggestion is just you get something easier to read, such as "NCV (new century version)" or "the Message", read that, and follow it up in the KJV so it's easier to read and understand. That way, you'll have something you can understand, and the original KJV to refer back to.

 

[plmarquette]

Well I've ordered the Good Man's Bible

BUT that's for begginers

So I wouldn't recomend it for you

May I ask you where I could get a modern English interpretation of the Qu'ran?

Here are a couple of links for the Quoran ...
http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/quran/
http://www.hti.umich.edu/k/koran/
...read of Josue , Yeshua , Jesus ... read the book of Zecharia , Messiah fore told and then Matthew - Messiah revealed

paul

 

[winsome]

What does ’ESV’ stand for and when in 2006 will it come out? More importantly, with all these dizzyingly bewildering versions of The Bible everywhere which particular version should I buy (I have plenty bookmarked online, I wish to buy a hard copy for myself)? Linguistically I love the poetry of the KJV, but I have no idea!

HELP!

One reason there are many translations is that it is difficult to translate accurately from one language to another. There are often just not equivalent words, phrases, metaphors etc.
Some translations try to give a literal translation and give comments in footnotes to help understanding. Other translations incorporate the comments in the text by giving a more free translation. The former may be better to study the text, the latter just to read and gain the sense of the text without constantly referring to footnotes.
Also of course words change their meaning over time, so that words in the old KJV many not mean quite the same now as they did when the original translation was made.
I like the Jerusalem Bible. The New Jerusalem Bible is an revised version, and supposed to be more accurate, but I prefer the flow of the older version.
Hope that helps