BIBLE VERSIONS

Introduction
Today the Bible is translated into over 450 languages and there are well over 200 English versions. Of these, there are about 30 that are fairly popular. Bibles are known as versions, translations, or paraphrases. Every different Bible can be called a version. A translation, however, means that the Bible was entirely translated directly from the original languages. Some versions are partially translated. A paraphrase Bible such as the Living Bible is simply one that uses everyday language in order to convey the message in an easier way to the reader.

Lesson
False scripture
First of all, let’s get the false scriptures out of the way. Not all Bibles are true. Below are a few popular examples.

New World translation - It should be noted that Jehovah’s witnesses have their own translation known as the New World translation. The interpretation committee had no members with a recognized degree in either Hebrew or Latin. They also were instructed to change phrases that did not agree with their doctrine.

Koran
The Koran is a separate book from the Bible written solely by Muhammad. The Koran refers to the Old Testament, says it is based on the Torah, but it merely states Muhammad's made-up ideas about the Torah. Muhammad stated the uncorrupted Torah and Gospels disappeared and were replaced by the Quran. It should also be noted, Muhammad was illiterate so he never read the Torah or the Gospels.

BIBLE VERSIONS
Today, the Bible is translated into over 450 languages and there are over well over 200 English versions. Of these, there are about 30 that are fairly popular. Bibles are known as versions, translations, or paraphrases. Every different Bible can be called a version. Most Bibles are version. A true translation, however, means that the Bible was entirely translated directly from the original languages. A paraphrase Bible such as the Living Bible is one simply one that uses everyday language in order to convey the message in an easier way to the reader.

BOOK OF MORMON
Mormons have added to scripture by believing in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon was written in 1830 by Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon faith. Supposedly, Smith supposedly received the scripture on golden plates given to him by an angel and written in reformed Egyptian. Christians denounce the Book of Mormon because the Bible is considered a final revelation from God, and because many of the Mormon teachings are bizarre, historically inaccurate, and contradict the Bible.

APOCRYPHA
Catholics have a different Bible than Protestants. The Catholic Bible has additions known as the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha consists of the books of 1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, Epistle of Jeremy, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Prayer of Manasseh, and additions to the books of Ester and Daniel. They are not considered part of the protestant Bible for several reasons:
1. The Apocrypha was never an official part of the Old Testament.
2. Jesus and his disciples never quoted from the Apocrypha.
3. Ancient Jewish writers such as Philo and Josephus never quoted the Apocrypha as scripture.
4. The Apocrypha was never considered scripture until the Council of Trent in 1546.
5. The Apocrypha is shown to contain historical and geographical inaccuracies.

BIBLE VERSIOINS
NLB
I would recommend the New Living Bible (NLB) or another paraphrase Bible for someone who has never read the complete Bible. The Living Bible was my first Bible that I read through as an adult. It served its purpose. That purpose was to make the Bible easy to read and interesting enough for me to get through the whole Bible.

NIV
I then chose the New International Version (NIV) because I then wanted the most accurate version I could get in plain English. I considered the NIV as the most accurate version because it is based on The Dead Sea Scrolls. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. Radiocarbon dating shows the linens that wrapped these 600 leather pieces of scripture to be from 175 B. C. to 225 A.D. The New International Version became a completely new translation based on these original manuscripts written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. The Christian Reformed Church and the National Association of Evangelists began the process that brought over 100 scholars from around the world to create the NIV. Many denominations from around the world including the Assembly of God churches, the Baptists, the Brethren, and the Mennonites supported this effort and made sure there would be no sectarian bias.

NRSV
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) printed in 1989 has also taken advantage of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The NRSV however has made modern politically correct changes that vary from the strict literal interpretations. The NRSV is therefore accepted mostly by some of the more liberal churches such the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church. I find it a testimony to God’s oversight that there does not appear to be any theological difference between the NIV translation based on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the King James Version which is based on various sources past down and changed over centuries.

THE KING JAMES VERSION (KJV)
The books of the Old Testament were originally written in Hebrew and the original books of the New Testament were written in mostly in Greek. They did not have chapters or verses. We do not have any of the original author writings, but since all copying had to be done by hand, the religious officials of the day took great precautions to make sure that every word and punctuation was copied correctly. The first well known translation was done around 200 A.D. and is called the Septuagint. Seventy-two scholars translated the Old Testament into Greek by the command of the king of Egypt.

As early as 1199 the Pope opposed the translation of the Bible into English and the common man reading and the Bible. In the mid 1300’s the Wycliff Bible became the first complete English Bible to appear in England. It was not translated from the original language manuscripts, but translated from Latin manuscripts. It was soon considered heresy to own such a Bible and owning one was punishable by death. In 1525, thanks to the newly invented printing press, William Tyndale printed the first English translation of the New Testament translated directly from the Greek and Hebrew. Tyndale was a genius who was educated at Oxford and spoke 7 languages fluently. Because of his translation, Tyndale was killed in 1536 by the King of England as a heretic.

Until the beginning of the 16th century all European versions were based on the Latin Vulgate language. In fact, the Catholic Church did not accept any Bible for church use that was not based on Latin Vulgate unlit the 20th century. The Bible went through many variations and translations until the King James Version was printed in 1611. At that time there were 5 popular Bible versions. King James VI of Scotland at the direction of the Puritans, a division within the Church of England, commissioned about 54 scholars to come up with a version that would be more accurate and more universally accepted than the other versions. Most of the King James Old Testament was based on the Great Bible which was the first Bible to be “authorized” by the British Parliament for the Church of England. The second "authorized" Bible was the Bishops Bible. Eighty percent or more of the New Testament is said to be taken from Tyndale’s Bible. The King James Bible later became the third authorized version of the Church of England, although it was never officially authorized. Today, there are some people who will not read any version but the King James Version. That is fine if they feel comfortable with that version. However, there are people that believe so strongly in the King James Version that they are cult like in nature. They have books and brochures stating that all other versions are the work of the Devil. These advocates also often attend churches that believe the same doctrine. I doubt if God will criticize anyone being brought to God by the wrong Bible.

SUMMARY
One reason for different versions is because of new archeological discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Another reason for new versions is because of an ever-changing language. For example: At one time a person could say: “I gave my son a little pot to keep him from crying.” I would be careful about saying that today. More directly, the Holy Spirit is not a "Ghost," and many other 400 year-old words can be misleading.

With so many versions where does one start? I like to make the point that reading of a particular version is similar to listening to a particular preacher. It’s not the words that are important; it is the message that counts. The same truth may be expressed in many different words. That’s why we have different versions. To believe in only one version is like saying one should only listen to one pastor. In fact, he better use the exact same words if he gives the same sermon twice.

Finally, if a person cannot make up their mind regarding which version to read, they can get a Bible called a parallel Bible. It has as many as 6 columns spread across two pages so you can see 6 versions at once. Better yet, you can buy Bible software for your computer and see up to 22 versions at the click of a mouse and compare several at one time in multiple windows. As a bonus, you are only a mouse click away from Hebrew and Greek lexicons as well as Bible commentaries, Bible dictionaries, and Bible encyclopedias. God’s Word is out there, so all you need is to let the Spirit move you!

Review
1. How the Bible has been passed on through the centuries.
2. What surprising information did you learn about the Bible?
3. How many versions are you familiar with? Which version do you read and why?
4. What information in this lesson will help your future study of God’s word?


*Find it in the Bible by Bob Phillips……: Howard Publishing Co. copyright 1982