BIBLE TRANSLATION PIT FALLS - part 1

I've never paid too much attention on which Bible version or translation I used. Over the years, at different times and for different purposes I have used different ones. I’d like to make it clear, before commenting on anything, that that has not changed. It is indeed, I think, the usage of several versions that enriches our study of Scripture. There are however some things to point out. They were very important for me when I came across them and they may be to you.  

Most popular Bible versions/translations

 1. New International Version (NIV)
 2. King James Version (KJV)
 3. New Living Translation (NLT)
 4. New King James Version (NKJV)
 5. English Standard Version (ESV)
 

Live not in fear 

We know fear is not part of the Christian life. We are not live in it, nor give it the time of day.

Romans 8:15 ESV
 [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"


 It is also all too easy to fall into winds of doctrine if (a) we do not spend enough time in the word but go instead after unfounded teaching, (b) we are not properly grounded in the basic truths of the word, (c) e]we are not living under authority or in unity with our local church.


 Ephesians 4:14 ESV
 [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.


 This was my disclaimer for what I'm absolutely to say. Because I do not feel this is a passing "fear fad" that is out there like the constant hammering about drones, Donald Trump's candidacy, the bar code behind our heads or even the sexuality agendas which seem to have many churches on edge.  

The New International Version 

This is much simpler yet much more important than those. It concerns the New International Version (NIV). For years it was the version I mostly used. Today, especially with the ease of Bible aps in our digital world, I use one main Bible translation as a hub and the other translations as spokes. Meaning I will read through on my main (hub) version and then look up given verses on other (spoke) versions to compare and get a fuller understanding. 

That hub is no longer the NIV. I began using the English Standard Version (ESV) and then ended up switching that to The King James (KJV) all together. 

 The main message in this article is: do NOT use the NIV, and if you are used to it do not use it on its own. I'm not saying anymore than I felt led to say here. I'm not saying the NIV is from Satan. I'm not saying it is entirely heretic but I'll say that  

(a) we can perish from lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6), and 

(b) sometimes half truths are lies or inductive to false teaching. 

This is a simple message and there is no need to complicate it. The fact is the NIV is unreliable in several key parts which I will point out.  

 ... next time.