[Linux4christians] Sword Project Needs Help

[Ben Thorp]

linux4christians-bounces at thelinuxlink.net wrote on 27/08/2004 11:55:13:

> > at the same time I'm disappointed with the restricted/restrictive
> > nature of many modern translations.
>
> I am more disturbed about the verses they miss out than their
> publishing fees...
>
> http://millenniafever.org/BibleStudies/KJVorNIV.html
>
> I'm no KJV-only but I am starting to be very careful about what
> versions I use.


I'm slightly concerned about the content of that website, and their
justification of the KJV Bible. I think it is safe to say that _all_
translations are flawed in some way, KJV included, and that the best Bibles
come with plenty of footnotes explaining what decisions the translators
have made, and why.

The site mentions the Textus Receptus, but seems to imply that it refers to
the majority of ancient manuscripts that were only scrapped in favour of
other manuscripts in the early 1900s. In fact, translators began moving
away from the TR to more ancient manuscripts as early as 1719. Most modern
scholars, both Christian and non-Christian, regard the Textus Receptus as a
flawed translation, and rely instead on other sources. Changes from the TR
(including the 'missing' verses) are usually mentioned in the footnotes of
the Bible - one could quite easily argue that, contrary to what that site
says, the TR is 'unChristian' because it attempts to add to the Word,
rather than vice versa.

My New Testament Greek lecturer always recommended we use the Revised
Standard Version, as he said it was the best word-for-word translation
available; I'm not saying he's correct, of course, just that that was his
opinion ;)

An interesting alternative to that site can be found at
http://www.bibletexts.com/kjv-tr.htm


Disclaimer: I personally use the NRSV for most of my reading, although I do
have Good News, NIV, Jerusalem and The Message kicking about in the house,
among others. I moved away from the NIV, not because I don't like the
translation, but because the churches in my area were becoming increasingly
dependent on it, and I think that is where it gets dangerous.

Just my $0.02

Ben