Comments on: The NLT: Good For Study? A Response http://www.christianmonthlystandard.com/index.php/the-nlt-good-for-study-a-response/ A Voice of Reason for the 21st Century Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:40:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Joel J. http://www.christianmonthlystandard.com/index.php/the-nlt-good-for-study-a-response/comment-page-1/#comment-1228 Joel J. Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:39:17 +0000 http://www.christianmonthlystandard.com/?p=647#comment-1228 Great post.  I appreciate your honesty and authenticity.  Selecting a Bible translation involves our emotions, and a post like this can help people understand why there is so much hesitation and debate in our churches over which translation to use.  It's not an easy topic to discuss, but when we approach it honestly, that's a great starting point. Great post.  I appreciate your honesty and authenticity.  Selecting a Bible translation involves our emotions, and a post like this can help people understand why there is so much hesitation and debate in our churches over which translation to use.  It’s not an easy topic to discuss, but when we approach it honestly, that’s a great starting point.

]]> By: Alan Milnes http://www.christianmonthlystandard.com/index.php/the-nlt-good-for-study-a-response/comment-page-1/#comment-939 Alan Milnes Sat, 27 Dec 2008 10:05:45 +0000 http://www.christianmonthlystandard.com/?p=647#comment-939 I love the NLT because it uses Dynamic Equivalence - any serious language scholar will tell you this is a far more accurate way of translating than the literal. I use the NLT in my studies but any serious scholar / preacher will consult various translations, and the the originals as well! PS The NIV was great in its day but is dated now. I love the NLT because it uses Dynamic Equivalence – any serious language scholar will tell you this is a far more accurate way of translating than the literal. I use the NLT in my studies but any serious scholar / preacher will consult various translations, and the the originals as well!

PS The NIV was great in its day but is dated now.

]]> By: Brent Kercheville http://www.christianmonthlystandard.com/index.php/the-nlt-good-for-study-a-response/comment-page-1/#comment-690 Brent Kercheville Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:23:08 +0000 http://www.christianmonthlystandard.com/?p=647#comment-690 Rick, I think it does have an impact in a congregation if a preacher/teacher uses and endorses a particular version. But even that would probably take time as people wear out their other Bibles and seek a replacement. I think some people are comfortable with a certain translation and will not change no matter what reasons are presented. Just look at the KJV only people. Rick, I think it does have an impact in a congregation if a preacher/teacher uses and endorses a particular version. But even that would probably take time as people wear out their other Bibles and seek a replacement.

I think some people are comfortable with a certain translation and will not change no matter what reasons are presented. Just look at the KJV only people.

]]> By: R. Mansfield http://www.christianmonthlystandard.com/index.php/the-nlt-good-for-study-a-response/comment-page-1/#comment-683 R. Mansfield Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:01:20 +0000 http://www.christianmonthlystandard.com/?p=647#comment-683 Brent, I hear you, but I also see a continued rise in the acceptance of the NLT. The NIV has been the dominant translation, but it can't remain in the number one spot forever. It certainly won't last as long as the KJV did. As people are replacing their NIVs, some continue to buy the NIV, but lots of folks are buying the NLT and other folks seem to be choosing the ESV. Personally, I'd rather see the NLT come out on top rather than the ESV, but others will disagree naturally. But speaking of "naturally," that's why I like the NLT. It's phrasings sound more "natural" than any other major translation. That's why it sounds so odd to you and me--those of us who've grown up in the church with traditional translations--sometimes. Although I've been using the TNIV as my primary public translation the last two years, no one's buying it. I'm the only one in my church using it. In a Bible study class I lead on Sundays, the majority use the NIV, but the NLT is second and the KJV is third. No one uses the ESV believe it or not, but I know it's popular nonetheless. But here's what I wonder. What if I really got behind the NLT? Really supported it and started using it as my primary public translation? What if a number of us did that? How much impact would it have. You may have already seen it, but see my ponderings on all this over at my blog in a post I wrote a couple of months ago, "The Rise of the New Living Translation": http://homepage.mac.com/rmansfield/thislamp/files/20080723_rise_of_the_NLT.html Brent, I hear you, but I also see a continued rise in the acceptance of the NLT. The NIV has been the dominant translation, but it can’t remain in the number one spot forever. It certainly won’t last as long as the KJV did. As people are replacing their NIVs, some continue to buy the NIV, but lots of folks are buying the NLT and other folks seem to be choosing the ESV. Personally, I’d rather see the NLT come out on top rather than the ESV, but others will disagree naturally.

But speaking of “naturally,” that’s why I like the NLT. It’s phrasings sound more “natural” than any other major translation. That’s why it sounds so odd to you and me–those of us who’ve grown up in the church with traditional translations–sometimes.

Although I’ve been using the TNIV as my primary public translation the last two years, no one’s buying it. I’m the only one in my church using it. In a Bible study class I lead on Sundays, the majority use the NIV, but the NLT is second and the KJV is third. No one uses the ESV believe it or not, but I know it’s popular nonetheless.

But here’s what I wonder. What if I really got behind the NLT? Really supported it and started using it as my primary public translation? What if a number of us did that? How much impact would it have.

You may have already seen it, but see my ponderings on all this over at my blog in a post I wrote a couple of months ago, “The Rise of the New Living Translation”:

http://homepage.mac.com/rmansfield/thislamp/files/20080723_rise_of_the_NLT.html

]]> By: Gary Zimmerli http://www.christianmonthlystandard.com/index.php/the-nlt-good-for-study-a-response/comment-page-1/#comment-681 Gary Zimmerli Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:32:29 +0000 http://www.christianmonthlystandard.com/?p=647#comment-681 Brent, I have to agree with you; It <i>is</i> a matter of trust. I feel very much as you do about the NLT. But the more I use it and make the effort to check out their translation, the more I become convinced of its accuracy and the more I trust it. I remember how unusual the NIV sounded the first few years I used it, but now I think it sounds very clearly "Biblish". It's a beautiful translation, and it's very conservative. I don't think it will be too many years before we feel the same way about the NLT. Just keep using it and checking it out, as I am. Brent, I have to agree with you; It is a matter of trust. I feel very much as you do about the NLT. But the more I use it and make the effort to check out their translation, the more I become convinced of its accuracy and the more I trust it.

I remember how unusual the NIV sounded the first few years I used it, but now I think it sounds very clearly “Biblish”. It’s a beautiful translation, and it’s very conservative. I don’t think it will be too many years before we feel the same way about the NLT. Just keep using it and checking it out, as I am.

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