Before I move on to the other translations I will be reviewing, I’d like to take a few moments to relax and say a few things that don’t seem to fit in these reviews.
First of all, I am disappointed that my post regarding the ESV caused so much commotion. As most of us know, the debate about the ESV and a few other translations has been hashed and rehashed, and I was really hoping that I could avoid riling everybody up about it once again. Much of it was my own fault, because I got off the track of just giving my own impressions and started talking beyond my own knowledge and experience, and for that I apologize. I thank Rick Mansfield for taking up the “fight” at a point when my own lack of education left me waffling and giving in on things I have become quite convinced about, but am unable to defend very well. This is why I feel I should stick with what I know, and not go too far out on the limb and start thinking of myself as some kind of expert on Bible translations. That’s when I get myself in trouble, and rightly so. I have no business portraying myself as such.
Secondly, the translations I will be reviewing from here on out are a few which are not in the Tyndale tradition. These are Bibles which I use, or have at least a little experience with. I see no reason to stick my neck out and try to speak to translations I never use.
So next in line will be the NIV and TNIV. I am thinking of combining these two into one post, but we’ll see. Following that will be one or two posts about the HCSB and the NLTse. Beyond that there really isn’t much I can say, except for maybe the NET Bible. I don’t own the NET in printed form, but I have used the online version quite a bit in my own Bible study, so I may decide to include it in my “impressions”.
Finally, I am thinking of changing directions once I finish this series. Obviously, the different Bible translations are a big interest for me, but I have to admit I am getting quite burned out from writing about them all the time. I will continue reading the other biblioblogs, and commenting on them at times just as I have been for the past couple years or so. I’ll be around. I have no intention of leaving my blogging friends behind. But what direction my blogging will take I don’t know as yet. I may concentrate on one area, or I may just be all over the map! But I will enter into a time of prayer, seeking the Lord’s guidance for this blog. After all, I don’t call it A Friend of Christ for nothing!
The Sundry Times 
Gary, I first want to commend you for posting your impressions on the different translations.
I hope I didn’t add too much to the commotion on the ESV post, but if I did then I apologize. I still do not agree with the assessment that it has outdated vocabulary and awkward phrasing but that difference of opinion should not split the church 😉
My biggest dislike of DE translations is that they sound bland. Since there is no perfect translation, the choice of a translation is as subjective as which ice cream flavor is the best.
Blessings
-j.s.
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Aww, it’s no problem, Jesus. You’re welcome here.
I don’t know that the vocabulary of the ESV is outdated as much as some of the phrasing is strange. But most of that is nit-picking, and as you said, it shouldn’t split the church. I’m afraid the translation debate seems to be affecting the relationship between some churches, not deeply by any means, but it kind of bubbles beneath the surface. But what can we do about it, since we have been blessed by having such a multitude of translations today?
Ice cream? I like chocolate the best! 😉
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Jesus wrote:
My biggest dislike of DE translations is that they sound bland. Since there is no perfect translation, the choice of a translation is as subjective as which ice cream flavor is the best.
Yes, it’s to be regretted that DE has mostly meant simplified language versions. I tried to dig around this topic in my “Literary Equivalence” post. In the comments, Rich Rhodes made the following observation:
“I’ve always understood that a proper application of DE is not only to be referentially accurate but also to match the “effect” of the passage on the target language speakers to that which the original had on the speakers of the source language.”
I would love to see a new translation that focused on the full potential of DE to communicate the meaning and effect of the original texts.
Then Gary added:
Ice cream? I like chocolate the best! 😉
Really? Just when you think someone’s all right… vanilla with nuts for me!
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Actually, both Kemps and Blue Bunny are selling some fantastic special custom ice cream. I think BB has one called “Bunny Tracks” with chunks of chocolate mixed in.
I guess my favorite would have to be a milk chocolate with marshmallow and maybe almond chunks, and bug chunks of chocolate, maybe brownie chunks.
Yeah, I think I’m a chocoholic. It’s not only women who are afflicted with that, you know.
Then again, I love a good, rich, medium-roast coffee just as much as I love chocolate. We have Starbucks, Caribou, and Dunn Bros. all here in town, and I’m a well-known customer to several of the baristas.
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(Oh, and I drink it black, just like God intended!)
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Better Pecan Ice Cream… you heathens! If not then coffee ice cream from Fosselmans Ice Cream in Alhambra, CA.
People who put cream and sugar in their coffee are just another example of mans fall and Starbucks is proof that the devil does exist.
I roast my own coffee.
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Oh, and I drink it black, just like God intended!
At least, on that, we agree!
Starbucks is proof that the devil does exist.
Can I get an exemption since I was drinking Starbucks when they were just a Seattle shop?
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“I roast my own coffee.”
All right, Jesus! Way to go! Nothing better than fresh coffee, and that’s the freshest!
Best coffee I ever had was a Guatemala from Dunn Bros. on North Mankato hilltop a couple weeks ago. They roast their own coffee on site every day. Caribou has a great Columbia and their La Minita Peaberry is something special. But I’ll take Dunn Bros. I only go to Starbucks about once or twice a year for something different.
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La Minita is fine fine estate in Costa Rica producing great coffee. Try the coffee from Ethiopia, Yirgachaffe or Harar are some of my faves.
ElShaddai… fine i’ll let’cha slide with the Starbucks
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