Does Bible translation really make a difference in religion or what kind of Christian someone is?

Question

Since there are many translations of the Bible out there, do you think it makes a difference which one you read? Does that define which form of Christianity you choose? Are they really that different? I have several Bibles in my library and use them all. I like to study and I consider myself Christian. But I saw a comment earlier that certain religions "have their own Bible". Does it really translate that different? What do you think?

Answer 1

No, it doesnt translate very different. Although, some translations have "adjusted" some of the verses or added some books, which is why you are doing a good thing by comparing several translations.

Even though I have my favorite translation, I use many different ones. And, if I am conversing with someone who prefers one over the other, (even if it has some "adjusted" verses in it), I can still use theirs.

Plus, it is not one verse that proves a point in most cases, but by putting all of the scriptures on a certain subject together, so that you can get a well-rounded understanding.

Answer 2

It's more about the interpretation of the Bible than it is the translation of the language. Before I was a Religion major in college, I used the NIV for study, but after taking Greek and using the NRSV (new revised standard version), it's much closer to the ancient texts, and I have an academic study Bible, and a personal study Bible of the same version so that I can be consistent. But it doesn't make you a better chrisitian to use one or the other--check the translation, chances are your church will be using the same translation as another denomination, church, etc.

Answer 3

Yes, some do read differently. It's a matter of interpretation. Most protestant rooted sects use the KJV of the bible, some more new-fangled ones use the NIV, and The Roman Catholic Church uses it's own bible containing approved canon that it's had for centuries.

The NIV is a sort of dumbed down easy to read version of the bible. it's possible that a lot can be lost in the simplification of it.

The KJV is the bible that most people think of when they think of the bible. It's in Middle-English, or sort of Shakespearian in terms of language.

And the Catholic version of the bible has books in it that aren't even in the other versions. I believe the mormon bible might have some changes too, including supplemental books, ie, the Book of Mormon.

All have been heavily edited through time, so it's very much likely that the message may be skewed, and the only way that you'll get a glimpse of the real text is if you're able to read ancient, greek, arameic, or latin. And even then what you read might not be what it seems.

Answer 4

There are some books in different Christian traditions that some Christians don't use, like the Apocrypha.

I'd say use the Scholar's Bible, the NRSV. It translates the text from the original language (not a translation of a translation), and it uses the oldest sources possible. IT was put together by a team of scholar's, and if there is any dispute over any tiny word, it's all in the footnotes. This will be your best bet if you can't read ancient languages.

Answer 5

Bibles are translated by people who can fail to make a rendering that is the same as the original meaning. The canon of scripture was decided in the forth century and re-evaluated by different councils in different centuries since then. The latest was in 1978 in Chicago. They produced a paper, called Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. It is viewable in it's entirety at http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago1.html and is a worthwhile read.
Small errors introduced in translating can change a meaning, that is why it is important to compare the originals with a copy. Fortunately, we have more documents substantiating the originals than any other historical document ever produced in history. The Koran being an exception, it is only 1000 years old and not 6000 years old, however.

Answer 6

So long as it is a scholarly translation and the meaning of the original Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic is not change, then it does not make any difference. The Holy Spirit is your teacher, and so long as you listen to him, then you are on safe ground. there are translations that are meant for new Christians and there are translations that are meant for advanced students of the Bible. Many people find the King James Version to be difficult, but its modern rendering the New King James Version is much easier. Look around at various Christian bookstores for a translation that suits you. Any church that says you must use a specific translation is involved in legalism and I suggest that you avoid them and find a church that is more tolerant of your choice. There are corrupt versions of the Bible, such as are published by the Jehovah Witnesses. Be careful of imitations.

Answer 7

I think it does make a difference. I stick with the KJV, the best and truest translation. Certain Christian cults have penned their own bibles, removing verses that don't line up with their beliefs. If you have many translations, take this test.
Check out Is.14:12 - 15.

Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer,son of the morning how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Isa 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Isa 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Now, compare that verse in your other translations. Do they use the term "Lucifer" or "Morning star", do they say "Hell" or the grave?

If you ask a Christian, who is the morning star, they will say Jesus (Rev.22:16), see the problem? If you didn't know better, you would think the Is. 14 passage is talking about Jesus.

Look in your other translations, does your I John 5:7 say this?:

1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

I would say, probably not. There have been other verses changed or removed in the modern translations. Stick with the King James version, it is the best and truest to the original writings.

Answer 8

Please bear in mind none of our English translations can really convey to us in our social and cultural orientation what was communicated by the writers of the Bible.

The Old Testament is virtually unchanged from antiquity. It's pretty darn relliable, and not much controversy takes place about what it says. The battles (in scholaraly circles) predominantly surround the New Testament.

The ancient Alexandrian manuscript leave out or water down all the passages teaching that Jesus is in fact God.

The "Majority Text" was not compiled using the Alexandrian, but from texts mostly from the Byzantine tradition. These do not suffer from "missing" large blocks of text, and the passages involving the deity of Christ read the same way as other first century documents that quoted them.

Most "modern" translations are based on the Alexandrian texts. The best manuscripts are the ones based on William Tyndale's translation of the Byzantine body of texts, these include the King James, the Geneva Bible and the Tyndale (of course).

The NIV, Revised, American Standard, New King James and others are based on the Alexandrian, and are unreliable for gaining an understanding of who Jesus actually was, and what the New Testament writers are attempting to say about Him.

I highly recommend studying the original languages if you want that other 70% that you're missing reading English.

Answer 9

Translation can determine your life-style as a practicing Christian, but RELATIONSHIP w / GOD is the path in your Christian walk, plus repentance, the turning away of your bad mindset (a conscience), happens everyday.Keep studying as to prove yourself worthy, and interpretation is important also, choose a the wording you are comfortable with as to help you grasp His message to you.The only thing fair is the weather, we are either right or wrong, think before you act, silence can be as loud as a cannon shot. GOD in His infinite wisdom gets His message to His children in ways they can understand hence the different wordings.Some Bibles are as new as the 60's, the second coming will be only after all man / woman kind hear the word of GOD,the apostasy, turning to, as well as away from Him. Translation is of man, even the King James version was dictated by man, what to leave in, what to leave out, (Shakespeare stole a few lines as he wrote the KJV, if the Bible is the greatest story ever told, then he could have only been the greatest story teller). As long as you have LOVE for your fellow human you are fulfilling His will. To sacrifice one's life is the ultimate show of love ,and that is all He has for us. Don't get caught up and blinded by others thinking, remember it will just be you in front of the Great White Throne of Justice when the roll is called up yonder.

Answer 10

Bible students say Yes it does.
Various religions change texts to suit their needs of proof. For example the Catholic bible has been altered to favor proof of the trinity, yet earlier texts don't have the new texts.
Plain english translations favor opinions.
Only one of all the translations hold to the truth, and is backed up by educators world wide.
The New World translation is by far the most accurate.
Many still use the Old KJV because of the old english seems to stick as 'faithful' yet it too was a Kings Approved version! And had many errors. Some say as many as 1500.