Why do Christians tell us to "read the Bible"?

Question

since there are so many versions and translations, each for every Christian Branch?

So then, which is the "true" Bible?

The Southern Baptist Bible? The Catholic Bible? The Jehovah Witnesses' Bible? The Mormon Bible? The English Church Bible? The Protestant Bible?

Answer 1

they've never actually read it themselves, so they mistakenly think it says something that's going to make you like christianity

Answer 2

Actually, there are something like 100+ versions. Even the King James was revised four times, over a 150 year time period, before it matched the beliefs of the Church of England and was Authorized. It was created in the first place because the Genesis Bible was considered too strict.

What you have to look at is what Bible a religion is using and whether that religion has had the least amount of problems among themselves.

What religion has been around more than 50 or 100 years, without splitting into factions or sects of the same religion?

Which religion has members, the majority of which, live their lives in the light of Christ, and feel driven to tell others about it?

Which religion, can you go from one church to another, not only in the same city or state, but any where on the planet, and find it exact same teachings?

Find that and you will know they are using the right Bible.

Answer 3

The Bible was translated into different versions, however they all are essentially the same in its original meaning, but do notice that Mormon , Jehovah witnesses have come up with their own bible, and its not the same as the original Bible.

As a general guide, read the Amplified Bible which explains it in detail, or the New Living Translation, or NKJV, in very poetic style, might be hard for some to apprehend.

better still, check out the recognised versions at www.biblegateway.com , its the mainstream and authentic Bible versions there, those bibles that were created after the original was up, are not

Answer 4

The King James Version (KJV) — Translated in 1611 by 47 scholars using the Byzantine family of manuscripts, Textus Receptus. This remains as a good version of the Bible. It has been the most reliable translation for over three centuries, but its Elizabethan style Old English is difficult for modern readers, especially youth. This is still a good translation for those who can deal with the language.


The New American Standard Bible (NASB) — Translated in 1971 by 58 scholars of the Lockman Foundation, from Kittle’s Biblia Hebraica and Nestle’s Greek New Testament 23rd ed., which include the Alexandrian Family codices. Though academic in tone, it is said to be the most exact English translation available. A very good version.


The Living Bible (TLB) — A paraphrased rendition of the King James Version by Kenneth Taylor in 1971. This is not a genuine translation, but is a type of phrase-by-phrase commentary that was originally intended to help the author’s own children understand the scriptures. It is useful for inspiration and commentary, but for serious Bible study it should only be used in conjunction with a legitimate translation.


The New International Version (NIV) — Over 100 translators completed this work in 1978 which was composed from Kittle’s, Nestle’s and United Bible Society’s texts, which include the Alexandrian Family codices. This is considered an “open” style translation. It is a good, easy to read version.


The New King James Version (NKJV) — 130 translators, commissioned by Thomas Nelson Publishers, produced this version from the Byzantine family (Textus Receptus) in 1982. This is a revision of the King James version, updated to modern English with minor translation corrections and retention of traditional phraseology. This is a very good version.

Answer 5

I switch it around on them and suggest that they read the bible straight through... a surprising majority have never actually read it all the way through but have cherry picked, or looked over some passages out of order, or otherwise gone by what their pastor has told them.

Indeed I've found that the best way to make someone agnostic is to have them read the bible through. Once they see for themselves the absurdities, contradictions, undeniable cruelty and evil of their allegedly "good" god, and other mistakes they quickly lose faith.

I think the problem is that not enough christians have read the bible - that's why they believe.


That being said, by far the most accurate would be the "Revised Standard Edition" as it was done by 32 bible scholars and using the oldest greek and hebrew documents we have in existence. Naturally it's quite different, the things that the church added later (such as the passage defining the trinity) are gone because they were never in the older documents.

Answer 6

There are different translations, but for the most part each of them have the same messages. The different denominations are a result of different interpretations of what the Bible says. Some take different passages more seriously than others, and some take different passages out of context when they draw their conclusions. It is very easy for me to understand a question like this, but it is not really the Bible that changes so much as it is the beliefs that people draw from how they read the Bible.

Answer 7

The Holy Bible. The International version is a good one. Most Christians will recommend the King James version.

Answer 8

the bible is the only way to know God but u have a very good point which is why i havent bought a bible yet. i actually do not no which 1 to get. they might say some of the same things but every thing wont be the same in each 1. its kinda weird isnt it.

Answer 9

I say this... christians tell us to read the bible because it is believed that the bible is one of the ways God speaks to us and gives us enlightenment. Also christians believe the bible is the main foundation of all morality.

Answer 10

If you are not a Christian then I would not suggest that you read the Bible. You won't understand it, because it takes the Holy Spirit to bring you revelation and understanding.

Answer 11

The funny thing is reading the ENTIRE bible has resulted in more atheists than any other reason. Statistics in the US indicate a greater percentage of atheists have read the entire bible than Christians.