Why I'm switching to NLT!
I will probably be persecuted for this post by my Christian friends who have become convinced that godliness is spelled ESV, but I just can't hold my tongue any longer.
My Bible version story starts out with a Catholic version of the Good News Bible that my parents got me for Christmas the year I got saved. The introductory notes on why the Catholic version is superior to all others and why the Apocrypha is inspired was quite interesting.
Soon, though, I got my first NIV which was quickly replacing the NASB as the version of choice. I read the NIV, memorized from the NIV, and spiritually grew up in Christ with the NIV. It's a good version, but not perfect. Learning about the nature of a concept for concept translation and, more so, the theological influences of the translation team shook my confidence in it.
So I moved around to various translations until settling on the ESV by popular demand. It was far more a word for word translation and had minimal a priori theological influences, although not completely absent from them.
I was content with using NASB and ESV for years priding myself in using a more literal translation. Then it happened...
I was counseling a young Christian couple about the dangers of living together before marriage (in fact they weren't even engaged yet). It was sensitive. It was delicate. So I pulled out my Bible and read the pertinent verse:
"But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints" Eph. 5:3 (NASB)
They looked at me with blank stares. What?
How about ESV then:
"But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints." Eph. 5:3 ESV
Same response. Squinting of the eyes as they tried to figure out what I just read.
So seriously, I had to interpret the English so that a biblically unfamiliar person could understand it. I knew right then that if I have to translate the English so a person can understand it, I need a new version. One that translates the original Hebrew and Greek into a language that we think and speak in.
This is how the NLT puts it:
"Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people." Eph. 5:3 NLT
And the NIV uses the powerful phrase of "there must not be even a hint..."
Now that's language a person can easily understand! So, I bought me an NLT and I'm learning to appreciate the uniqueness of this translation.
I still have and use other translations to derive the exact meaning of a text in question, but my sword for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness will be the NLT. So help me God.
Comments
NLT is not a bad version, but I still prefer the NIV. It's just something I'm more familiar with, even after trying the NLT. It just didn't work with me for some reason, just too different in my tastes. But it works...:)
Posted by: Rob at June 9, 2009 08:22 PMThe NLT is definitely one of my favorite versions. It is rare that I find that the wording leads me to an interpretation different than what I get reading NASB or ESV. I also find that the primary reason I like the NLT is that it is typically more concise than either NASB or ESV. There is just less awkward grammar that gets in the way, even when the same essential words are used.
I also like NASB and ESV (currently using NASB for daily edification), but definitely agree that unless one is used to hearing / reading / understanding English rendered with Greek sentence structure, NLT / NIV / Message / TNIV are all more natural.
Posted by: Tony at June 10, 2009 12:19 AMCertainly, access to a multitude of english translations is a humongous help in our understanding of God's word.
I remember Pavi Thomas saying "The NLT is my favorite translation for reading out loud to people" at our staff training. That has stuck with me. Extremely useful translation.
So, no, no persecution from me ;-)
One encouragement though: your needing to explain the meaning of that verse is perfectly appropriate. In fact, I'd argue it's your job :)
Prophecy: You'll find yourself still needing to expound and apply even with the NLT. (Though probably less so than with an NASB)
I have recently found myself on the way back from the pendulum swing over to the ESV. It is still my translation of choice, and I still avoid NIV (for different reasons, not all of them good). But I'm done decrying one as vastly superior to another. (At least I think I am... we'll see I guess, eh?)
And finally:
ESV = Extra Spiritual Version
NASB = Nearly As Spiritual of a Bible
NIV = Not an Inspired Version
NLT = New Liberal Translation
Okay, that was the last one. I'm done for real. No, really...
Posted by: Matt Heerema at June 12, 2009 12:21 AMI've always heard them this way:
NAS = Not Actually Scripture.
NIV = Nearly Inspired Version
Matt's right, though - it is your job to explain the meaning of the verse when appropriate (see Romans 10:14).
God Bless!
--Rob
Posted by: Rob at June 12, 2009 10:36 PMWe've been using The Message quite a bit. Makes the Scripture really come to life, but not good for theological study. Great for the new believer, or someone who says, 'I've never understood the Bible'.
Posted by: Cathie at September 17, 2009 07:25 AM