Bible Translations and Versions
Statement of Belief
We believe any understanding and interpretation of the Bible should transcend linguistic barriers, seeking to reflect the universal Truth present in God's Word. We recognize that no single translation or version can fully capture the richness and depth of the original texts. Consequently, we encourage thoughtful exploration of various interpretations, utilizing scholarly resources to improve understanding, and importantly, relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit for discernment.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 — Hebrews 4:12 — 1 Corinthians 2:13 1)
Additional Information
We use The New English Translation (NET) as the first stop for our work. Chosen for its clarity, contemporary language, and invaluable footnotes, it offers a balance between scholarly accuracy and readability. It provides a sturdy foundation for our understanding of God's Word, and for sharing that understanding with others.
We also recognize there is value in exploring multiple translations for the nuanced insights they offer. From the NET Bible, we then examine the text in other translations. Some of our favorites are the English Standard Version (ESV), New International Version (NIV), New King James Version (NKJV), New American Standard Bible (NASB 2020 edition), The Amplified Bible (AMP), and others.
We find parallel tools, such as those offered by various online sites, to be invaluable. Seeing multiple translations side-by-side fosters a deeper understanding of the message. It can also help prevent misunderstandings based on a specific word chosen for a particular translation. Spend some time in parallel study, or with the Amplified Bible, and it soon becomes clear that translation involves a lot of “multiple choice” decisions.
In part because of this, we caution against an overreliance on “word study”. A conclusion based on a word (or phrase) should be considered suspect if it cannot be sustained in multiple translations. Unfortunately, it is common for religions rooted firmly in thinking “Bible X is the only reliable version” to develop beliefs based on that version's specific words and phrases. Too often, these cannot be sustained using other translations and versions. And that's within the same language!
Consider, if the Word of God is to be preached to all people in all languages, how strict reliance on such small snippets of language can quickly become a hindrance. Even within the same language, it is difficult to understand things written just a few centuries ago. Today, English-speaking people struggle to understand the American Founders and even more with the works of Shakespeare.
For more, see Democracy in America for a discussion of the trials of translation between languages and over hurdles of time, even a time of less than 250 years.