LaVrai.COM - The Truth - Reading The Holy Bible

Reading The Holy Bible — Which One?

Posted by LaVrai in Monday, March 31st 2008

17 views

(No Ratings Yet)

Loading ...

Have you ever been to a secular bookstore and ventured over to their ‘religious’ section? If you have, you were probably bombarded with a variety of ‘versions’ of the Holy Bible (youth Bible, woman’s Bible, African-American themed, etc.) in numerous translations, such as Kings James Version (KJV), New Living Translation (NLT), American Standard Version (ASV), etc.

So which of these is right…for you?

That’s a difficult question with a complicated answer because it all depends. It depends on where you are in your walk with GOD. It depends if you’re trying to gain some added knowledge (for example, some Bibles highlight historical/geographic facts; some Bibles expound on particular themes; some Bibles offer original Greek and Hebrew notes for cross referencing). It depends if you’re trying to get through the Holy Bible in one year.

So what’s the answer? — I don’t know. I can’t tell you what to read. But I can tell you about my Holy Bible choices and what I’ve learned.

There are two Holy Bibles that I read most frequently: the Tanakh and The Holy Bible (NKJV). I didn’t make these choices for any political reasons, and actually, these translations of the Bible came into my possession inadvertently. One was a gift for my 10th birthday (many many years ago) and one was required text for a university class.

I appreciate and love the Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh because the language is simple and I trust the translation (in the 7 years that I’ve been reading it, I have yet to find any questionable passages). I also read the African Heritage Kings James Version because it offers a variety of maps, historical notes and its editors offer an alternative (perhaps more factual) perspective on the Holy Bible’s contents (in comparison to the whitewashing some racists like to purport).

I also own a NLT and New Kings James Version. In addition, I have a copy of the Book of Enoch and the Apocrypha. The Book of Enoch and the Apocrypha are controversial works not included in the Holy Bible nor accepted by the religious establishment. How can I read these ‘extra’ works?

I firmly believe that the Holy Bible as we have it today with 66 books is as the LORD intends it to be. However, men — not all with good intentions or clear minds — decided to keep and add certain books into the final canon (how the 66 books came about). That doesn’t mean that other witnesses/ historians didn’t write legitimate works in relation to the works of GOD. But let me restate, I only take the Holy Bible as the gospel truth, if you will. These other works only serve to fulfill my curiosity. In the Holy Bible it says Enoch walked with GOD. So why is it unreasonable that Enoch, since he was alive (and still is I suppose), put together some words on his experiences with the LORD? As for the Apocrypha, I can’t say much. I haven’t really read it much since I bought it years ago.

So, back to the question of which Bible to read? My suggestions? — The Kings James Version is the established translation of the Holy Bible (why? I don’t really know). Since the KJV is the accepted, historical translation, I hold all other translations up to that when reading the Word (I use the NKJV, which excludes the ‘old English’ words like ‘thou’ and ‘hath,’ ect.). I have encountered ‘curious’ passages in the NLT, for example, that seemed to be saying something completely different from what the exact same passages insinuate in the N/KJV. It’s not unlikely that many of these translations are just watered down to pander to the hearts and minds of men, and some could even be meant to purposefully mislead.

In summary, choose wisely and don’t rush into anything. Consult those you know who are strong in the Word. But first, speak with the Holy Spirit and he will direct you and reveal the LORD’s words plainly to you as you read.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Share and Enjoy: