Beware Modern Bible Translations
October 11, 2016 Leave a comment
This is a continuation to ‘Differences In Bible Translations‘.
Christians of all walks are constantly struggling to understand and follow the Word of God. A claim in hardship is having a Bible simple enough to read and understand. Scholars rushed to fill this gap with modern versions/translations of the Bible; a practice that will undoubtedly continue to the end of time.
However, it seems today we are constantly getting an increasing amount of various new translations of the Bible to choose from. Whereas, at first glance, this may seem to be a good thing, it is actually very troubling on several accounts.
These newer translations are claiming to do the following:
- Allow for easier reading
- Correct spelling and grammar errors of earlier translations
However, these additional translations are actually causing:
- Confusion
- Mis-trust
- Harder to understand the text
- Division
If modern and modernized translations only wish to correct errors and allow for easier reading, why then, are we getting so many different translations? Why not correct any errors in an already popular translation? Why are a few translations even going as far as changing words used in the KJV (which people claim is hard to read) to words that are harder to understand (words the average person doesn’t use)? So we’re basically being told to struggle with an “out-dated” language used in the KJV or carry a dictionary with us to church to lookup the definitions of the alleged “easier to understand” words of modern translations.
Despite the suggestion of making the Bible simpler, modern translations are only creating complications –
Confusion:
People don’t know which translation to trust, ultimately falling for the belief any Bible is as good as the next. Likewise, pastors may not be preaching the same translations the congregants use. Some churches have even gone as far as quoting different verses from different translations (the translation usually being chosen by the wording of the verse matching what the pastor, not Christ, is trying to get across to the congregation). This isn’t to say there isn’t truth in all translations, because there is. However, the more the text is altered, the further watered-down the truth becomes. How diluted will you allow truth to be before you no longer consider it to be so?
Mis-trust:
Christians are largely becoming trusting of only one or two translations and the Christians who use them. Any Christian who dare use another translation is ostracized, scorned, and not trusted. In many cases this includes the pastorate and clergy.
Harder to understand the text:
Some translations, such as the NIV, use words seldom used by the average person. Educated or not, one shouldn’t need a dictionary or know the meaning of every word in the english language to read and understand the Word of God. These translations may be argued to be harder to read than the KJV.
Division:
See confusion and mis-trust above. With churches forming around Bible translation rather than the Word of God, it is a sad day in Christendom indeed.
It is a stance of this ministry that the KJV is the proven most accurate translation of the english language Bible with a 90+% accuracy rate, second only to the Tynnsdale Bible. It is also understood that many find it hard to read. The difficulty lays largely in two complications:
- Out-dated form of the english language
- Meanings of words have changed in our society and form of the language compared to that of it’s original meaning
We agree that, if possible, a version or translation should be updated to fit our modern language format. However, we also feel that if you are truly seeking His Word, how out-dated the language format is will be of no consequence. You will understand it.
When I first started reading the Bible, I used the NASB version. I later moved to the KJV. So I know how hard it may be, at first, to read through the KJV. But if you read it with your heart instead of your mind, you will understand the text.
What I find a bit ironic is people read Shakespeare and other early english works without issue, then claim at the same time they can’t understand the KJV.
Regardless what translation you choose, be sure to look into the accuracy of the text. Don’t allow mis-representations, mis-information, or first glances of a translation fool you into reading a text that is altering the very Word of God. To shun an older, possibly more accurate, translation or version and willingly buy into the claims made by the authors of modern versions/translations is akin to allowing the enemy to win; especially if such is being done with little or no research on your part. One doesn’t need to look far to see the division being caused or that division is the primary goal of most modern versions/translations, one only needs to open their eyes.
UPDATE: There seem to be changes in several Bible versions, including the KJV and NASB. All Bibles (new and old) have mysteriously altered. The extent of versions affected by this phenomena is unknown, as is how many additional changes we may see. This is being researched. A post will be made in the future following our research.
UPDATE 2: To read about the findings of the research into Bibles mysteriously altering/changing, and find out what exactly is going on, please read ‘The Great Deception Is Upon Us‘.
Further Reading:
About Rev. Dr. Red
Spiritual Messiah Ministries 