Finding the right learning bible?

Question

I am looking to find the right kind of learning bible.
I am looking for a learning bible that is literally translated from the original books, one that does not gear toward women or men, one that is based on facts and not bias. Unquestionably one that does not try to relate to today and how people talk today, I have no problem reading about what happened back then, with the language they used.
I am looking for one that basically just makes the bible a little bit easier to read and understand with out trying to make it hip, cool, or bias.
I was raised a Roman Catholic, but I don't want one that is strict to that particular religion.
I really want to learn just about the bible and it's books, or stories, without it pushing me toward one religion or the other.

Answer 1

There is always some bias in a translation. Most of us would like to have a literal, unbiased translation. Unfortunately this is not really possible, due to the nature of language. The problem is that no to language rally align in word for word meanings or grammar. Therefore the translator(s) has to make an effort to convey the meaning of the original text, within the words and grammar of the new language. Here the translators interpretation of the meaning of the text is critical.

Some translations will try to stay closer to the original wording. Some will move quite a ways form the original wording in an effort to convey the original meaning. You can find the translation's intent in the forward, or in a letter form the translators found at the front of the Bible, before the actual text.

Another aspect will be if the translation is building on prior translations or beginning with a "clean sheet." The tradition of referencing previous translations goes way back. For example, the translators of the King James Version note that they stayed with the wording of the the previous translation wherever they believed they were accurate.

Here is a quick overview of some of the more popular translations: ( I will start with those that try to stay with the original language wording, and work toward those that have a more idea to idea philosophy.)

New American Standard (NASB)- IMHO the best of the "word for word" translations. I have been able to reconstruct the Greek text from a NASB Bible when my Greek NT wasn't handy. BUT, it is often difficult to understand because the English is often convoluted as a result.

King James Version. (KJV) - The first English translation to be made by scholars from several traditions. As noted above, it tracks earlier translations, particularly the "Bishop's Bible". Incredible work of scholarship in its day.
There are two issues with the KJV. The first is simply that it is 400 years old. People talk different today. When the KJV was translated, it was just everyday normal English. You bought your bread at the market saying "thee" and "thou". Many other words have changed along he way.
The other issue is the texts that were used. Not long after the KJV was completed, many older texts were found. The more modern translations take advantage of this increased knowledge to have a more reliable text.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) a revision of a revision (RSV) of the KJV. Kind of in the middle in terms of translation philosophy. Broad scholarship. When translators run into a masculine that they deem to be inclusive, they attempt to make it inclusive, which strikes some people as odd at times. (such as Mark 8:34)

New International Version (NIV) IN the last 30 years this has become the new standard in English Bibles. In the middle between word for word and idea to idea. Generally stays pretty close to the original language except where it would be confusing to do so. Very well done translation for a broad range of scholars.

New Living Translation (NLT) an idea to idea translation. (The technical term is "dynamic equivalence.") Easy reading but makes no effort to stay close to the wording of the original languages. Works best for reading large chunks of text to get the "flow" of ideas.

I use all of the above for different things. NASB is my favorite for in depth study when I don't want to take the time to translate form the original languages. NIV is my everyday general purpose Bible.
NLT I use for reading large text blocks or just to get a fresh perspective. KJV is use to enjoy the beauty of the Psalms.

To start with, I generally recommend the NIV Study Bible to people. The notes are written by a group so it doesn't just showone perspective.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

If you want a Bible that uses the language people used "back then", you'll have to learn Greek and Hebrew!
A Bible in modern language can be just as literal a translation as a Bible translated in the 1600's.
A good study Bible is the Thomson Chain Reference Bible. You can get that with the King James Version, probably with the New King James Version, and with the New American standard Version - also the New International Version. From what you are saying, you would be happiest with the New King James Version. See if you can find a Thomson Chain Reference Bible with that translation.

Answer 3

One of the translations I use is the 'New World Translation' published by Jehovah's Witnesses.

I like it because it is very close to old manuscripts. God's personal name (YHWH, Jahve, Jehovah) appears over 7000 times in the original text and this translation has put it back.

The language is clear and simple without losing is originality.

You can get a personal copy from any Witness you meet, at a Kingdom Hall or check out www.watchtower.org

The translation comes in 3 different sizes and two colors, black and burgundy. Pocket, 8'x5' or as a large reference bible with footnotes. The large one is excellent as a study bible at home, the other two to bring along.

The translation comes in many different languages.

All literature by the Witnesses are free of charge. Their volunteer is supported by donations.

Answer 4

I use the King James Version and the New International. If you want to hear a really good Bible teacher check out www.ttb.org This is a radio program but he has his lesson online too. Right now he is just starting the gospel of John. Go to that website and click on "archives", Very good Bible teacher.

Answer 5

There is none, yet

All you can do is work with the KJV, the Catholic version, some of the modern versions, although don't like a lot of them.

One thing would be to learn acient Greek and work with a Lexicon Bible that has the original GREEK on one side and the modern on the other side.

Answer 6

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses

Answer 7

New King James Version is good. These come in study Bibles. The most literal would be an interlinear Hebrew and Greek.

Answer 8

You can purchase just about any translation (NIV, KJV, Revised, etc.) in study format nowadays.

A good concordance can also be a help, but they tend to be a little bit pricey.

Go to any Christian bookstore and ask for help. Tell them you want a study Bible. I really like my NIV Life Application Study Bible, but to each his own. I'm not crazy about King James Version, but only because I'm not crazy about Olde English (Shakespearean) anyways.

Good luck!

Answer 9

The most accepted one is NIV, however you could ask for the COMPLETE JERUSALEM BIBLE for accuracy of original meaning. Or if you ask for NIV student edition you will get a lot of historical notes which can be very helpful to also understand. On the web there is the NET BIBLE which is very good also.

Answer 10

If you would want to listen to a Pagan that has a library of Bibles, I would tell you this; The Oxford Study Bible from The Oxford University Press is well written and footnoted.