Which Bible Translation Should I Use?

Greg Strand

March 19, 2012

--comments by Greg Strand, EFCA Director of Biblical Theology and Credentialing

Here is a very interesting Symposium, hosted by Liberty University, on Bible translations, specifically comparing and contrasting the New International Version (2011), the English Standard Version (2011), and the Holman Christian Standard Bible (2004). The presenters were Ray Clendenen (HCSB), Wayne Grudem (ESV) and Doug Moo (NIV). The three presentations were followed by a Q and A. A message on “The Trustworthiness of Scripture,” that was also a part of this Symposium, is also included.

The Liberty University Biblical Studies Symposium Monday, September 26, 2011 "Which Bible Translation Should I Use?" With Dr. Doug Moo, Dr. Wayne Grudem, and Dr. Ray Clendenen

Video 1: Dr. Ray Clendenen and the Holman Christian Standard Bible Video 2: Dr. Wayne Grudem and the English Standard Version Video 3: Dr. Doug Moo and the New International Version Video 4: Responses and Q&A Video 5: Dr. Wayne Grudem’s Morning Session: "The Trustworthiness of Scripture" Learn more

EFCA Statement of Faith Evangelical Convictions Other "Thoughts to Consider"

Robert Depwe

April 30, 2022

Please update this page. All the links to Liberty University are broken. I'd like to buy my son a Bible for his college graduation. I'm considering the purchase of the NRSV updated edition. A comparison of translations would be useful. Thank you for your work. "Which Bible Translation Should I Use?" by Greg Strand, March 19, 2012

Greg Strand

April 30, 2022

Hello Robert. Thank you for your question and suggestion/recommendation to update the post. I will not do that, but I will share a link to the newly revised , and I will share with you Bible versions/translations I have open when I study the Scriptures.

For some history, the 1611 King James Version (KJV; the New King James Version (NKJV) was completed in 1983) was the basis for the 1952 Revised Standard Version (RSV). The RSV was updated in 1989 and referred to as the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), which is now updated again and referred to as the New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition (NRSVue).

Here are a couple of articles that address the updated translation of the NRSV.

Adelle M. Banks, New Revised Standard Version Bible updated with consideration for ‘modern sensibilities’ (November 17, 2021)

Richard Ostling, Update To New Revised Standard Bible Makes Substantive — And Controversial — Changes (December 9, 2021)

Daniel Silliman, Levites, Whores, and Demoniacs: Here’s How the New NRSV Has Changed: A look at five updates to the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. (April 18, 2022)

I will generally have Bible translations reflective of those on a spectrum between formal equivalence (correspondence) and dynamic equivalence. The former focuses on a word-for-word approach when translating Scripture. The latter remains committed to the text of Scripture though also considers the reader, seeking to translate faithfully and in the context of the reader so that the response might reflect the original hearers. Here is my list from dynamic equivalence to formal equivalence (correspondence), concluding with the original languages:

New Living Translation (NLT)

New International Version (NIV 2011)

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

English Standard Version (ESV)

New American Standard (NASB)

Greek (Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament (NA 28), and the United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament (GNT 4)

Hebrew (MTT; and the Septuagint (LXX) the Greek translation of the Old Testament Scriptures)

Strands of Thought

Which Bible Translation Should I Use?

Send a Response

Responses