How to Choose a Bible Version

by Robert L. Thomas

Publisher:

Christian Focus

, 2004

Overview

With so many versions of the Bible available today it’s hard to know which one to use. How to Choose a Bible Version provides an introduction to each modern translation and gives historical information how each version was translated. This helpful resource also features a chart depicting each translation’s place on a continuum between literal word-for-word translations and loosely translated paraphrased versions.

Contents

Top Highlights

“3. Methodological Techniques of Bible Translations” (Page 10)

“The Geneva Bible was the one used by William Shakespeare; it was also the first English Bible to have verse divisions.” (Pages 17–18)

“In the eyes of most the major problem with the KJV, however, lies in its textual basis (#2). General consensus is that the most accurate manuscripts were not available in the days the translation was made, forcing the translators to use an inferior Greek text in the New Testament as a basis for the translation.” (Page 146)

“The King James Version (also call the Authorized Version) is an example of a New Testament which shows closest kinship to the Byzantine family (Textus Receptus, i.e., ‘received text’, is another title that in general designates this same family).” (Page 60)

“Wycliffe was the earliest leader to realise that the whole Bible was applicable to all of life and should therefore be available to all men in their own languages. He sponsored a work to translate the Bible into English from the Latin Vulgate, some time in the early 1380s.” (Pages 12–13)

Product Details

• Title: How to Choose a Bible Version
• Author: Robert L. Thomas
• Publisher: Christian Focus Publications
• Publication Date: 2004
• Pages: 200

About Robert L. Thomas

Dr. Thomas studied at Moody Bible institute and at Faith Theological Seminary. From 1956 to 1959, he was an instructor and grading assistant at Dallas Theological Seminary while completing his doctoral program. Dr. Thomas served with the Lockman Foundation as a member of the translation team, on the editorial board, on the Exhaustive Concordance Committee, and on the Topical Reference Bible Committee for the New American Standard Bible. Dr. Thomas has been active in presenting papers at both the regional and national sessions of the Evangelical Theological Society, serving as the president of the national organization in 1990. He has authored numerous articles in journals, magazines, encyclopedias, and dictionaries, and has authored or edited about 20 book-length works. Dr. Thomas is best-known for A Harmony of the Gospels (editor, Moody Press, 1978), and Revelation 1-7: An Exegetical Commentary (Moody, 1992), and its companion volume Revelation 8-22, also published by Moody (1995). Dr. Thomas also served as the general editor for the award winning New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance (Holman, 1981). Dr. Thomas has served on the board of directors for the Orinoco River Mission and for the Bible Church Mission. Throughout his years of ministry, he has been active in his local church, in Bible conference ministries, and in pulpit supply. In 1959 he became the first full-time seminary faculty member at Talbot Theological Seminary. He served at Talbot as chairman of the department of New Testament Language and Literature until 1987 when he joined the faculty at The Master’s Seminary.