It is helpful thanks. Np.
I agree scripture is great but I'm finding different translations of the scripture quite wrong at times. Take for example John 20 24-25
KJV
[24] But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
[25] The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
TNIV
[24] Now Thomas (also known as Didymus [a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
[25] So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."
Now I highlight this one example of a few I've found where intepretations could differ between translations. The KJV implies that the method of crucifiction was likely to be a cross/Y shaped instrument. Johova Witnesses say it was a stake which the TNIV could give credit too apart from if you read the rest of the sentence that has been marked.
So sometimes I think scripture is amazing but it's authority can become weakened depending on where I'm reading it from.
I don't think we'll quite see a faithful English translation and this is why I'm now consider parallel bibles, big as they are
I'm not sure how much all of this matters though... after all some don't have any bible but love Jesus all the same and have the faith needed. I think we're quite lucky in some respects.
I want to begin by responding to your thought that “different translations of the Scriptures are wrong at times.” This is an inaccurate assessment of what is true. Different translations have what is known as “variant readings.” And there are valid reasons for this. Without discussing all of the reasons in this thread, fundamentally it is due to a difference in purpose for which that translation was produced. Simply stated, there are three approaches to a work of translation - and there are varying degrees within each of these.
First, is what is known as Formal Equivalency. This is an effort to produce the most precise word for word rendering from the Biblical language to English, while maintaining an understandable level of readability. The King James Version (KJV), New King James Version (NKJV), English Standard Version (ESV), and New American Standard Bible (NASB) are examples of this type of translation.
Second, is the Dynamic Equivalency. This is more of a word for thought translation, where accuracy to the precise translation of original wording is not the primary consideration, but ease of reading, while maintaining as much of the original thought as possible. The New International Version (NIV) and New Living Translation (NLT) are two examples.
Third, is the Paraphrase. A paraphrase is a thought for thought rendering of a text or idea. This is the least precise and I would not recommend it for an adult who has a reading level of at least sixth grade. Two examples would be The Living Bible (TLB) and The Message.
Because of this fact, readings differ at times, but without any significance to fundamental doctrines, especially when examining those translations of the first two categories. However, if your interest is in a deeper study of the Scriptures and a very precise understanding of the original wording, your Formal Equivalence translations are what you are going to want to study - and probably using an Interlinear of the Greek and English as well.
But rest assured, there are ABSOLUTELY FAITHFUL English translations of the Word of God. The four I listed under Formal Equivalency are just four examples.
Regarding crucifixion, if you will study the history of this form of execution, you will find that both are true. At times, the instrument was a “stake” or pole placed upright in the ground with no cross-member. At others, the cross-member was added due to the preference of the culture and/or executioners.
However, what is also true is that at NO TIME was the entire cross carried by the condemned. What was carried was the transverse section - what would commonly be described as the cross-member - which would be attached to a permanent stake in the ground, normally by ropes. This is the obvious case with Jesus Christ as we see in Matthew 27:32. Not a contradiction, just a lack of information in order to understand all the facts.
I pray this has been a help. BLESSINGS. Doc
