This week many of you noticed that we changed the Bible translation we preach from. We also have switched the Bibles in the chair racks from the New International Version (NIV 1984) to the English Standard Version (ESV). For some of you, it may be your first exposure to the ESV, and for others you are probably wondering why we made the change. Let me see if I can help.
We’ve used the NIV 1984 for decades. I have been here for almost 15 years and it pre-dates my time here. That’s a long time! It is a solid translation both in readability and accuracy. Dr. Howard Hendricks, my friend and mentor at Dallas Theological Seminary, even used it. Honestly, it has served us well, and we might have kept on using it. Unfortunately, we can’t.
In 2011, the NIV translation committee released an updated version of the NIV. In my opinion, and the opinion of others, “update” isn’t the right word. The changes are substantial enough that it’s essentially a brand new translation. Zondervan Publishing Company, who owns exclusive rights to the NIV, has systematically phased out of circulation the 1984 NIV translation in favor of the newer edition (NIV 2011). Because they have stopped printing the NIV 1984, it is becoming more difficult to obtain copies. Even the most prominent Bible Apps have dropped the NIV 1984 from their options. It is simply no longer available. Rockpoint needed to make a change. In light of all this, we needed to look at answering when we should make a change, which translation we should go with and why.
The question of “When?” was easy. ASAP. Many of our chair Bibles were in bad shape and we no longer had access to replacements. The next two questions were a bit more difficult though. The questions really go together, but we needed to take some time to make a wise and well informed decision. The options are seemingly endless. English speakers have an abundance of good translations from which to choose. They range from very literal and tough to read translations, to those that are more readable but might not be as literal. By literal we mean a word-for-word translation that corresponds to both the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament (Yes, Jesus spoke in Aramaic, but is carefully preserved in the Greek). We would endorse many of those translations. But we needed to pick one that we would use at Rockpoint so that we all could be reading from the “same page.”
We chose the ESV for two primary reasons: availability and accuracy. First, the ESV has quickly emerged as one of the most popular translations. It has been widely endorsed by prominent scholars and pastors in the evangelical world. That is important because we want a translation that is consistent with our view of God’s living word. Most people today who go and buy a Bible to read on their own or carry into church, will at least be exposed to the ESV if not carry the ESV into church with them.
Our second reason (and the most important for our decision) was accuracy. There are really two basic approaches to Bible translation. The first is what we call, formal equivalency. This seeks to interpret each word as literally as possible but it is sometimes at the expense of readability. The second approach to Bible translation is what is referred to as dynamic equivalence. The goal of this approach is to translate each phrase in order to convey the thoughts of the passage in the common language of the day. However, when this is done, it can (and often does) lead to problems with accuracy. Let me make something clear. Both kinds of translations have value and have a role in understanding what God was saying through each author in the Bible.
One side note – Paraphrases like The Message are not translations. They are someone’s interpretation of what the Bible is saying. While they can be valuable in a supplemental way, we encourage you to read and study from a translation, not a paraphrase.
So what is the ESV? The ESV is a formal equivalence translation (as described above). The translators worked tirelessly to accurately translate each and every word of the original language (Hebrew–Old Testament, and Greek–New Testament) and preserve readability. As a result, they have provided us with a highly accurate translation that is readable and teachable for all levels of spiritual growth. Before I leave the “technical but helpful” category, let me share one other important piece of information.
All translations make certain interpretive decisions. When translating committees, scholars and pastors look at the original languages (Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic) they have to make interpretive decisions based on what was originally recorded. Some of this is normal and appropriate. However, a good Bible translation should not make all the interpretive decisions for the reader. Yes, they translate words accurately (i.e. past, present and future tenses) along with word order and grammar. But they are careful not to seek to tell you the “thought” of the author by adding words and phrases that may not be in the original language. In these cases, they actually in essence write down, “this is what the author meant by this word” much like a commentary would. They are explaining instead of translating. As you move toward dynamic equivalent translations, more words are added and these interpretive decisions are made for you. The ESV makes only the necessary interpretive decisions and lets the teacher and reader participate in this interpretive process. An ESV Bible accurately translates what was written, but allows you, by work of the Holy Spirit, to uncover the meaning from the Bible verse or passage. As you read these types of translations side-by-side (recommended) you will begin to understand what we mean by interpretive decisions.
The ESV strikes the balance we were looking for at Rockpoint. Yes, other translations are easier to understand because they make more interpretive decisions and formulate phrases to make it easier to read; however, there are times where the dynamic equivalence translation can mislead the reader from the original meaning of the Bible verse or passage. The ESV allows me as the preacher, our teachers, and you as the reader to have a more accurate understanding of the original meaning.
Let me mention just a few more items.
First, are all dynamic equivalent translations bad? No! Translations like the NLT (New Living Translation and the NIV (2011) are still good translations (see reservations noted in the Wayne Grudem article below). The HCSB (Holman Christian Standard Bible) is actually closer to the ESV but not as literal. Our advice would be to read them alongside a more accurate, literal translation like the ESV or NASB (New American Standard Bible). Again, our goal was to get as close to the original language but still maintain readability.
Second, our confidence rests in the God of the Bible who authored it in the first place. God has spoken truthfully and infallibly. We hold to the view that God inspired His word without error in the original languages and manuscripts. We have more evidence for accuracy of the Bible than any other ancient book. And, it is not just by a little, but a lot! It far surpasses them all. What you will learn as you come on November 6th and get up close and personal with many Old and New Testament copies of the Bible, will build your trust in the reliability of the Bible and increase your love for God’s Word. It can be trusted in all that in affirms.
Third, if you need a Bible or would like a Study Bible, let me suggest the Ryrie Study Bible (ESV or NASB translation) or the ESV Study Bible. While there are so many to choose from, these will get you started as you unearth the treasures that are found in God’s Living Word.
Let me close with this statement from our Evangelical Free Church Doctrinal Statement.
“We believe that God has spoken in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, through the words of human authors. As the verbally inspired Word of God, the Bible is without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for salvation, and the ultimate authority by which every realm of human knowledge and endeavor should be judged. Therefore, it is to be believed in all that it teaches, obeyed in all that it requires, and trusted in all that it promises.”
For those that are interested, please see the article we have included by Dr. Wayne Grudem. He has done extensive research on why he feels that the ESV is the best translation.
