JAB 121 - 1 BIBLE VERSIONS : THE GOOD , THE BAD , AND THE UGLY ( Part One ) by

What makes a Bible version “good” or “bad” and how can we tell the difference? The rapid increase in the number of major English Bible versions over the past two decades places these questions front and center for many Christians. To answer them, one must understand the two schools of thought regarding translation. The first says that the goal of interpretation is to retain as much of the form of the original language as possible. This results in a more literal, word-for-word translation (e.g., KJV, NASB, ASV). The second says that the goal is to retain the meaning of the original text but not the form. This results in a “freer” rendering (e.g., NIV, NLT, CEV). The numerous English versions currently available lie along a spectrum between these two kinds of translation, although every version contains elements of both kinds. The student of Scripture can gain insight into the biblical text by comparing versions from across the spectrum. The relationship of the translation of the Bible to the church is another issue of concern, given the amount of interpretation involved in those versions that do not retain the original form and the added interpretation and retranslation often involved in preaching. The ideal situation is that the teaching elders in a church be equipped to translate the text from its original language and to expound the meaning to the congregation.