My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines about Bible Translations:
Q: With so many Bible translations available, which one should I buy? What are the differences between them?
The Bible was originally written in Greek (New Testament) and Hebrew (Old Testament) with a few verses in both testaments being in the Aramaic language. My church denomination and some others still require their pastors to learn to read Greek and Hebrew as part of their training. The English Bibles we read today are translations of these original languages.
When choosing a Bible translation, there are several factors to consider. The two primary factors are accuracy and readability. Buyers also might want to consider the preferred translation used by their church or other Christians with whom they study the Bible. As a Christian advances in their study of the Bible, they often find it beneficial to have several different English translations available to them for comparison.
During a trip to Algona’s local Christian bookstore this week, I was able to count seven English translations available for sale, and as I look at my office bookshelf, I find that I have fifteen English translations of the Bible at my disposal, in addition to Greek, Hebrew, German, and Spanish copies. In addition to these many translations of the Bible text, many of the translations have numerous optional resources, including cross references, study notes, devotional content, and other additional content.
Most pastors and Bible teachers place the accuracy of a translation to be of first importance when choosing a Bible to purchase. Some Bibles translate each word literally, while others may translate several words together in order to better convey the meaning in English. In addition to the varying translations, there are also bible paraphrases, which tell the story in the translator’s own words rather than literally translating. While these paraphrases, such as The Message, and The Living Bible can be easy to understand for casual reading, they are not good choices for deeper study because they rely heavily on the English author’s understanding of the words rather than the Bible’s original way of saying it. Translations such as the New American Standard Bible (NASB), English Standard Version (ESV), and New King James Version (NKJV) are highly respected for their accuracy in translating the Bible.
Although accuracy is an important consideration, a Bible translation also has to be understandable to the reader. For example, the King James Version of the Bible is highly accurate, but some people find it difficult to read because of the older language it uses. The New International Version (NIV), the best-selling Bible translation in America, is highly renowned for its ease of reading. Other translations, such as the New American Standard Bible (NASB) are not very difficult to read and study, but can be somewhat awkward to read out-loud in public. The New Living Translation (NLT) and English Standard Version (ESV) are also known as very readable translations.
A good balance between accuracy and readability is usually the goal. An accurate translation you cannot understand easily and a translation which is readable, but inaccurate will both be poor choices. The guidance of your own pastor, especially if he can read Greek and Hebrew, is a valuable tool in determining which translation is right for your needs. My personal preference in a translation to read aloud publicly or for casual reading at home is the ESV, and my preference for in-depth study is the NASB.
When picking out your new Bible, don’t forget to research all of the available options, such as cover materials, study notes, and other resources. A Bible which is attractive and has the options and resources you desire will be much more appealing to study with regularity. Since my current Bible has begun to literally fall to pieces, I am excitedly anticipating the arrival of my new copy of The Lutheran Study Bible (An ESV Bible from Concordia Publishing House), which I pre-ordered several months ago to be delivered when it is released in October.
Readers are encouraged to submit questions for inclusion in future issues. According to your preference, you may include your first name or submit questions anonymously, and I will do my best to answer your questions as my knowledge and research allow and according to their suitability for publication. You may submit questions by email to revjpeterson@yahoo.com or by mail to P.O. Box 195; Burt, IA 50522.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Prayer
My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines about prayer:
Q: What is it that motivates God to hear and answer prayers?
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a story which illustrates the answer to just such a question:
"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14 ESV)
God’s choice to hear and answer prayers is not founded on anything that we do. God does not hear our prayers because of their length, or how often we ask. (Matthew 6:7) He doesn’t listen based on our eloquence or the beauty of our words. He does not even take into account who is praying the prayer, other than whether the person is a Christian. A pastor, elder, or deacon’s prayer is no more worthy before God than that of any other Christian (although the prayers of pastors and Christian friends can be of great help in times of sickness or distress which make it hard for us to concentrate on our own prayers). Even though places like church buildings or chapels help us to focus on God in our prayers, He does not hear our prayers based on the location where we pray.
Nothing we do can force God to hear our prayers, and nothing of our own making renders our prayers more acceptable to Him. Like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable, we cannot rely on our own goodness or worthiness to have our prayers heard, because no matter how good we are, all people fall short of God’ standard, which is perfection. God hears the prayers of Christians solely because they have been forgiven by Jesus. When God hears the prayers of Christians, He does so only because of what Jesus has done by living perfectly according to God’s law, then being executed by crucifixion, even though He was innocent of any wrongdoing. This is why many church prayers end by saying “through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord…” any many Christians end their personal prayers, “in Jesus’ name.”
God is so good to us, that He even gives us the things we need when we forget or neglect to pray for them (Matthew 6:8). He also gives the Holy Spirit to Christians who gives and strengthens our faith in Jesus and helps us to pray, especially in times of weakness (Romans 8:26-27). God not only gives us prayer as a way to bring our needs to Him, but also as a way to thank Him for His blessings and intercede for the needs of our neighbors. He does not command prayer as a rigid duty, but instead, gives it to us as a gracious gift, and He Himself provides everything necessary for our prayers to be heard and answered for those who trust in Jesus.
Readers are encouraged to submit questions for inclusion in future issues. According to your preference, you may include your first name or submit questions anonymously, and I will do my best to answer your questions as my knowledge and research allow and according to their suitability for publication. You may submit questions by email to revjpeterson@yahoo.com or by mail to P.O. Box 195; Burt, IA 50522.
Q: What is it that motivates God to hear and answer prayers?
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a story which illustrates the answer to just such a question:
"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' [13] But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' [14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14 ESV)
God’s choice to hear and answer prayers is not founded on anything that we do. God does not hear our prayers because of their length, or how often we ask. (Matthew 6:7) He doesn’t listen based on our eloquence or the beauty of our words. He does not even take into account who is praying the prayer, other than whether the person is a Christian. A pastor, elder, or deacon’s prayer is no more worthy before God than that of any other Christian (although the prayers of pastors and Christian friends can be of great help in times of sickness or distress which make it hard for us to concentrate on our own prayers). Even though places like church buildings or chapels help us to focus on God in our prayers, He does not hear our prayers based on the location where we pray.
Nothing we do can force God to hear our prayers, and nothing of our own making renders our prayers more acceptable to Him. Like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable, we cannot rely on our own goodness or worthiness to have our prayers heard, because no matter how good we are, all people fall short of God’ standard, which is perfection. God hears the prayers of Christians solely because they have been forgiven by Jesus. When God hears the prayers of Christians, He does so only because of what Jesus has done by living perfectly according to God’s law, then being executed by crucifixion, even though He was innocent of any wrongdoing. This is why many church prayers end by saying “through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord…” any many Christians end their personal prayers, “in Jesus’ name.”
God is so good to us, that He even gives us the things we need when we forget or neglect to pray for them (Matthew 6:8). He also gives the Holy Spirit to Christians who gives and strengthens our faith in Jesus and helps us to pray, especially in times of weakness (Romans 8:26-27). God not only gives us prayer as a way to bring our needs to Him, but also as a way to thank Him for His blessings and intercede for the needs of our neighbors. He does not command prayer as a rigid duty, but instead, gives it to us as a gracious gift, and He Himself provides everything necessary for our prayers to be heard and answered for those who trust in Jesus.
Readers are encouraged to submit questions for inclusion in future issues. According to your preference, you may include your first name or submit questions anonymously, and I will do my best to answer your questions as my knowledge and research allow and according to their suitability for publication. You may submit questions by email to revjpeterson@yahoo.com or by mail to P.O. Box 195; Burt, IA 50522.
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