What bible should I get?

[Svt4Him]

Get one you'll read.

 

[Stephen Kendall]

When I was a young man, I thoroughly enjoyed the "Good News Bible". Paraphrased Bibles can be very inspiring to read. It is good to have a more accurate one to study from. So, buy one to study from, NIV or so and one to enjoy reading, Good News Bible or so. To witness to, why not have something like, the Methodist's "The Faith-Sharing New Testament with the Psalms" NRSV or similar. (Please excuse the Methodist's church doctrines (I do), then it would be acceptable.) Denominational Churches should be thought of as churches with long standing extremely important traditions. When one can go beyond the traditions (church doctrines), then they are found to be Christian at heart. Christ is our extreme tradition and this is person to person only. We worship in love of God and our neighbor, or we aren't worshipping at all.

 

[VCViking]

This may seem like a naive question, but what kind of bible should I get for going to a non-denominational church? I'm going to start attending this Sunday.

Currently, the only bible I have was given to my family when my grandmother died in 1976. It's a white leather "prince of peace protestant edition" in a cedar case.

So, I'll leave it at that. Input is appreciated.

THE JOHN MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE.

COMES IN NKJV OR NASB. SIMPLY THE BEST OUT THERE.

The NIV is easy to read but is NOT a good translation. NKJV, KJV or NASB are the most accurate. I do not know enough about the ESV to comment.

 

[crishmael]

I usually use the NIV Bible, and I've found it acceptable in most of the churches I've visited. For Christmas my mom got me the TNIV (Today's New International Version) Study Bible which I've really been enjoying.

 

[MrSnow]

Get one you'll read.

That's the best answer so far.

 

[Justcap23]

There is a literal word-for-word translation that is excellent it's called the KJ3. It doesn't add a single word (besides the italics grayed words that are added for readability) It's definitely my favorite version, it's very easy to read and it's the most pure word of God that you can get. Unfortunately it's not readily available both Old and New Testament. My next recommendation is definitely NKJV, stays most true to the original languages from all the versions I have read, easy to ready and is readily available everywhere. Hope this helps

 

[Cris413]

Get one you'll read.

That's the best answer so far.

I kinda disagree...some like JWs have their version of the KJ Bible. Someone who is not familiar with Scripture might consider the JWs version is correct.

As well...some translations are sooooo watered down...one would be better off with a children's pop-up book version.

 

[Svt4Him]

I kinda disagree...some like JWs have their version of the KJ Bible. Someone who is not familiar with Scripture might consider the JWs version is correct.

As well...some translations are sooooo watered down...one would be better off with a children's pop-up book version.

Disagree if you must, but God says if you seek for Him you'll find Him. Legalism says you have to seek using the four step program combined with the correct dress, washing habits and heaven forbid you don't use the correct translation. Get a Bible and search for truth, you will draw nearer to God as God is truth.

So again, get a bible you will read versus having a bible with so much dust on it you can write "Damnation" on the cover.

 

[Cris413]

Disagree if you must, but God says if you seek for Him you'll find Him. Legalism says you have to seek using the four step program combined with the correct dress, washing habits and heaven forbid you don't use the correct translation. Get a Bible and search for truth, you will draw nearer to God as God is truth.

So again, get a bible you will read versus having a bible with so much dust on it you can write "Damnation" on the cover.

I respect your opinion...I'm thinking if someone makes a point to get a Bible...and is interested enough to ask which Bible they should get...they are interested enough to read it.

One doesn't really even need a Bible to find God...God can certainly speak to our hearts without a book in our hands...

but if you want to seek the truth of God's word...then find a translation that still has some truth in it...

I love the quote...not sure who said it..."Show me a person who's Bible is all worn out...and I'll show someone who's life isn't"

So...I agree with the concept of what you're saying...perhaps I should have been more clear and less...ummm...kinda...disagreeable...

...but there are translations that are so far removed from God's word...it's almost a lie to sell them as Bibles

some consider the Book of Mormon to be a Bible...

...and as I mentioned...JWs and others have their own versions....

Better to not read anything at all...than to read a book full of lies...that's not legalism Svt...it's a bit of discernment.

I certainly wouldn't split hairs over KJV, NKJV, NSAB or even the NIV...

or insist someone MUST read one over the other...sheeesh...

 

[iamjcs]

This may seem like a naive question, but what kind of bible should I get for going to a non-denominational church? I'm going to start attending this Sunday.

Currently, the only bible I have was given to my family when my grandmother died in 1976. It's a white leather "prince of peace protestant edition" in a cedar case.

So, I'll leave it at that. Input is appreciated.

Suggestion is take that 1 first Sunday & founded out what version that pastor uses, for different pastors (even non-denominational) have varying preferances.

 

[Svt4Him]

I think we probably agree. The BofM isn't a Bible though, it's more complete than the Bible and overrides the Bible in the mind of a Mormon, but it is never called a Bible (Mormons use the KJV but will point out the errors in it, dispite the many, many errors in the BofM that are not due to translation issues). The Bible of JW's changes a few words, but I agree those are major changes. When talking about Bibles in a Christian setting, I assume we're talking about the various Christian translations, not including things like the Book of Mormon, the satanic bible, nor the accountant's bible (CICA Handbook), so I probably should have clarified that.

But I still think any search for truth will bring you closer to God.

I respect your opinion...I'm thinking if someone makes a point to get a Bible...and is interested enough to ask which Bible they should get...they are interested enough to read it.

One doesn't really even need a Bible to find God...God can certainly speak to our hearts without a book in our hands...

but if you want to seek the truth of God's word...then find a translation that still has some truth in it...

I love the quote...not sure who said it..."Show me a person who's Bible is all worn out...and I'll show someone who's life isn't"

So...I agree with the concept of what you're saying...perhaps I should have been more clear and less...ummm...kinda...disagreeable...

...but there are translations that are so far removed from God's word...it's almost a lie to sell them as Bibles

some consider the Book of Mormon to be a Bible...

...and as I mentioned...JWs and others have their own versions....

Better to not read anything at all...than to read a book full of lies...that's not legalism Svt...it's a bit of discernment.

I certainly wouldn't split hairs over KJV, NKJV, NSAB or even the NIV...

or insist someone MUST read one over the other...sheeesh...

 

[verseview]

I have a free software with English/Spanish Bible along with other translations. If you are interested, please search for "VerseVIEW" on Google or Yahoo.

Binu Joseph
verseview(at)yahoo(dot)com

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

THE JOHN MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE.

COMES IN NKJV OR NASB. SIMPLY THE BEST OUT THERE.

The NIV is easy to read but is NOT a good translation. NKJV, KJV or NASB are the most accurate. I do not know enough about the ESV to comment.

If and only if you are...

YEC
Fundamentalist
Literalist
Dispensationalist
Cessationist
mostly Calvinist

...then yes, the MacArthur is excellent. MacArthur is very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. But if those aren't your views, you're likely to find his dogmatic insistence on them somewhat off-putting. I have one in NASB, personal size, and I like it, but I bought it in spite of MacArthur's views, not because of them.

 

[UnderHisWings1979]

ESV is outstanding (at least in my limited experience with it so far). My wife and I were given an ESV Study Bible by a family friend who attends John Piper's church. Apparently they use it there. We started reading it and have since bought our own individual ones for ourselves and share the study bible as a family bible. It is considerably more accurate than the NIV but almost as easy to read. Though not as word-for-word accurate as NASB and KJV, the notes in the standard ESV reference bible explain any differences in translation and actually make it better because of that (leaves more up to you and the leading of the Holy Spirit than simply trusting the translators). For anyone who spends a lot of time reading scripture, I highly recommend it.

 

[VCViking]

If and only if you are...

YEC
Fundamentalist
Literalist
Dispensationalist
Cessationist
mostly Calvinist

...then yes, the MacArthur is excellent. MacArthur is very knowledgeable and an excellent teacher. But if those aren't your views, you're likely to find his dogmatic insistence on them somewhat off-putting. I have one in NASB, personal size, and I like it, but I bought it in spite of MacArthur's views, not because of them.

Correct doctrine tends to do that, be "somwhat off-putting" to certain people.

 

[VCViking]

I kinda disagree...some like JWs have their version of the KJ Bible. Someone who is not familiar with Scripture might consider the JWs version is correct.

As well...some translations are sooooo watered down...one would be better off with a children's pop-up book version.

Exactly!

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Correct doctrine tends to do that, be "somwhat off-putting" to certain people.

Aye, and so does incorrect doctrine to certain others. I think we differ about which category MacArthur's falls into.

 

[humbleservants]

God told us (Holy Spirit indwelt person) that the KJV was Gods favorite.

 

[captainkate]

I just bought a "Life Application Bible" Leather (so it will last for another 30 years) in the New International Version. I LOVE IT. So far, it's the best study Bible I have ever owned. It also has nifty archealogical maps at the introduction to the books... real nice..

 

[revrobor]

This may seem like a naive question, but what kind of bible should I get for going to a non-denominational church? I'm going to start attending this Sunday.

Currently, the only bible I have was given to my family when my grandmother died in 1976. It's a white leather "prince of peace protestant edition" in a cedar case.

So, I'll leave it at that. Input is appreciated.

As far as Bible versions go it doesn't matter what church you attend. Get a modern translation you understand. Don't get suckered into buying a King James (authorized) version as you'll spend too much time trying to translate the translation as much of the language in it has changed in meaning. I personally use the CEV (Contemporary English Version).