03-08-2010, 12:06 PM | #31 |
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Certainly NIV is a translation. It is my preferred reading format but not my preferred study format. I personally use several versions to study and understand the truth in scripture in lieu of trying to learn the source language the way it was written thousands of years ago. Even knowing this modern versions of the source language isn't enough so I depend on professionals and the multiplicity of versions with guidance from the Holy Spirit to get at the truth. YMMV.
Dale Last edited by DaleDe; 03-08-2010 at 12:23 PM. |
03-08-2010, 12:20 PM | #32 |
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Harry, I won't be stripping the DRM to analyze the text. Besides the legal issues involved, I don't find it necessary since the publisher has acknowledged it.
As for everything else being discussed, I would rather not address it since the thread has been hijacked enough. While everyone's opinions are appreciated, they are not really relevant in this case. The fact is, many people DO treat this text as authoritative. Whether they should or shouldn't do so it quite irrelevant in this thread. I am glad you agree with the warning, but like cmdahler indicated, I doubt Zondervan will do that. The fact is, their priority as a publisher isn't necessarily always "Biblical" -- they are a business entity and that's their primary focus. It's pretty frustrating IMO too. Sony won't even post my review of the book, which serves as a warning to future buyers. THAT is even MORE frustrating. |
03-08-2010, 12:26 PM | #33 | |
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I understand what you are saying about a truely devotional, authoritative scholarly study of the text of the Bible needing to be done in the original Hebrew and Greek. But amongst the Christian community, as opposed to your example of Islam, using an English translated text has long been acceptable for personal devotional study. Even so, you will not find very many Christians attempting to devotionally study the Bible using a paraphrased version such as "The Living Bible". If an original language study is impractical for the average person, a direct translation as opposed to a paraphrase is clearly the next best thing. I seriously doubt, for example, that every single Muslim in the world is capable of reading Arabic, yet they manage to be devotional and strongly religious just the same. |
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03-08-2010, 12:48 PM | #34 | ||
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The situation with the Koran, where there's just one accepted text, is very different. It's either right or it's wrong. Quote:
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03-08-2010, 01:16 PM | #35 | |
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03-08-2010, 01:24 PM | #36 | |
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03-08-2010, 01:49 PM | #37 | |
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There are two major methods used in translations: Maintain to the extent possible the exact source language converted into English and Maintain to the extent possible the exact meaning in the target language. The first results in a stilted and difficult to read translation that doesn't flow but is good for study when you don't know the source language. The word order is rearranged to match the target language. There are even Interlinear versions that translate only the words without rearranging the word order at all. There is still some interpretation used because a single word in the source language can be translated using different words in the target language and sometimes the target language has no such word. The second results in a better flow but understanding the thought requires more interpretation of the source. However if you were translating a manual that you expected someone to follow to fix an airplane you would certainly want this method of translation. It is certainly much plainer and easier to read. Are both authoritative? None are inspired and contrary to some beliefs the Bible wasn't originally written in the KJV. Languages change over time and the various versions sometimes reflect this difference in that they themselves reflect the language when they were translated. There are proponents of both translation methods and the idea of paraphrasing to get the meaning has dropped out of favor. Even the New Living Bible has been changed to a translation. If you compare the various versions you will find that they all say almost exactly the same thing once you allow for word changes and style. All the major doctrinal issues are the same in most versions. It is subtle insight that can vary. Every time I read my Bible I get some new insight out of it. There are some versions intentionally translated with a point of view in mind but I am not talking about those. Dale |
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03-08-2010, 02:19 PM | #38 | ||
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God = the Hebrew word El, which simply means God. Lord = the Hebrew word Adonai, a more personalized reference to the Hebrew God. LORD = YHWH, the personal name of God given by God to Moses: God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.
--Exodus 3:15, NIV |
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03-08-2010, 02:55 PM | #39 |
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Nobody should blindly trust any book to be completely error-free.
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03-08-2010, 03:22 PM | #40 |
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For an example of the furore that can be provoked by changing a word, see "a Bible gone bad is a nuclear attack". I don't agree in any way with the sentiments expressed there, but stuff like '10% voted, "all translations are evil except the King James Version."' is certainly eye-opening.
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03-08-2010, 03:43 PM | #41 |
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Not trying to butt in here and don't know if this particular version of NIV is any better but I enjoy reading "The Bible in 90 Days" It's a great program too, really allows things to be linked by reading the entire Bible in such a short time.
http://www.amazon.com/Bible-90-Days-...8080745&sr=1-1 |
03-08-2010, 04:03 PM | #42 | |
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03-08-2010, 05:18 PM | #43 |
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There may be a few very simple folk who believe that, but that would be pretty rare. What you'll find more than that are people who believe the KJV is the "inspired" English translation and as such is the only true and right one. For what reasons I don't know - I've never bothered to take the time to find out. The only thing I'll say is that just like comparing some passages from, say, the standard Victorian-English translation of The Count of Monte Cristo with a more updated modern English translation, the modern language may be easier to understand at first reading, but a lot of the poetic prose that flows so beautifully in that antiquated English is lost. For the most part, the NIV is just about the most readable modern English translation available; but there are some passages in the KJV that just can't be beat simply for the beauty of the way they sound.
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03-08-2010, 07:27 PM | #44 | |
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Dale |
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03-13-2010, 10:04 AM | #45 | |
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My review on the Sony website finally went up which I am happy about. At least some people might get the warning. Look at another review from two days after me:
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