Revised Standard Version

Bible Abbreviation: RSV

ISBN: n/a

Publisher: Thomas Nelson & Sons

Publication Date: 1952

Pages: 1312

Binding: Hardback

Size: 5.75” x 8.5” x 1.75”

Features: This first edition Revised Standard Version is both a readable and a literally accurate translation.   The scriptures themselves are presented in two columns with occasional footnotes that cover cross-references, alternative translations, etc..  There is no concordance, dictionary or maps.  This is definitely a plain vanilla edition.

Comments and Observations: This revision is a member of the Tyndale family of Bibles.  Its lineage can be traced from the American Standard Version of 1901 to the 1611 King James Version back to the various versions which emanated from the work of William Tyndale.  One major change from its immediate predecessor, the American Standard Version, is that it translated the tetragrammaton (יהוה - JHVH) as Lord or God. The American Standard Version rendered the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in over 6,800 locations.

The translation committee used the Nestle-Aland Greek  - 17th edition text to translate the New Testament where the King James used the Textus Receptus aka Received Text.  The Hebrew Masoretic Text was used for the Old Testament.  In one major innovation, the translation committee would occasionally use readings from the then newly discovered Dead Sea Scrolls in its translation of Isaiah.

This version was not without its controversies. Fundamentalists and evangelicals charged that the translators had corrupted the Scriptures so that the doctrine of the Virgin Birth of Jesus was no longer supported in the Old Testament. The heart of the storm was the Hebrew word עַלְמָה (almāh) found in Isaiah 7:14.  The RSV translation committee rendered it as young woman instead of the more orthodox translation of virgin so that it no longer agreed with Matthew 1:23.

Another verse also caused some consternation.  John 3:16 was shorten from “only begotten son” to “only son”.  Genesis 9:20 was poorly translated to say that Noah was “the first tiller of the soil”.  This directly conflicts with Genesis 4:2: “Cain was a tiller of the ground.” 

Old Testament Comparative Verse: Psalms 23:1-6.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want;

2  he makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters;

3  he restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil;

for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff,

they comfort me.

5  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

thou anointest my head with oil,

my cup overflows.

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life;

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

for ever.

New Testament Comparative Verse:  Matthew 5:1-12.

1  Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 2  And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4  "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5  "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7  "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

8  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9  "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10  "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11  "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Weaknesses:  The KJV uses italics to indicate which words have been added to the text in order to make their translation more readable. The RSV did not follow this practice.  Therefore, the reader is not made aware of which words are not part of the original text. For example, in the RSV Habakkuk 1:1 reads, "The oracle of God which Habakkuk the prophet saw."  The translators added the phrase “of God”.  It is not supported in any ancient text of the Bible, be it Masoretic Hebrew, Dead Sea Scrolls, Greek Septuagint or whatever.  Inserting a critical conjecture without notice is not a good practice.

Strengths:

It somehow manages to retain the literary beauty of the King James Version while updating the language to 20^th century English.  I like reading this version … a lot.

Society of Biblical Literature Greek New Testament

Bible Abbreviation: SBLGNT

ISBN: 978-1-58983-535-1

Publisher: Society of Biblical Literature

Publication Date: 2011

Pages: 516

Binding: Hard

Size: 6” x 8.25” x 1”

(Note:  This review is definitely a case of “He who can, does; He who cannot, reviews.” I tip my hat to Professor Michael W. Holmes for a truly outstanding creation.

Features: Nicely bound. with a preface, an introduction and a single appendix being the only additions

Comments and Observations:

Not quite a year ago, the Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software introduced a new, critically edited edition of the Greek New Testament.  The SBLGNT was edited by Michael W. Holmes, PhD, is professor of Biblical Studies and Early Christianity at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Professor Holmes was the Chairman of the Department of Biblical and Theological Studies from 2001 to 2009.   

The philosophy behind the development of the apparatus of the SBLGNT is quite different than other existing Greek New Testaments.  The supportive apparatus of the SBLGNT does not reference the individual manuscript witnesses. Instead the SBLGNT apparatus compares the textual families underlying the Westcott-Hort (WH), Samuel Prideaux Tregelles (Treg), A Reader's Greek New Testament (NIV), Robinson and Pierpont (RP) Greek New Testaments.  For an understanding of why Professor Holmes chose these texts over other options, see (http://evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com/2010/11/sbl-gnt-three-questions-and-replies.html).  In the process of establishing the text, Professor Holmes also employed “the major critical apparatuses, and the latest technical resources and manuscript discoveries”.  It should be noted that the SBL, Logos and Holmes assert that the SBLGNT text differs from the Nestle-Aland/United Bible Societies (NA/UBS) text in more than 540 locations. Across the board, Professor Holmes thought outside the box on this one. 

The use and attribution philosophy is also quite different as well.  Educators and their students permission to use the SBLGNT freely in their assignments.  In addition, the liberal permission and licensing policy seems to encourage the use of SBLGNT to develop new book, magazine articles and other materials in electronic or print format.  Non-commercial use of SBLGNT appears to be free with only minor restrictions.

The SBLGNT is available in a print edition directly from the Society of Biblical Literature for $29.95.  Compare this to $99.95 for NA and 69.95 for UBS.  It is also available, without cost, in a variety of electronic formats including Logos, PDF, XML, OSIS, The Sword Project, e-Sword and plain text to name but a few.

Old Testament Comparative Verse: N/A

New Testament Comparative Verse:  Matthew 5:1-12.

5:1  Ἰδὼν δὲ τοὺς ὄχλους ἀνέβη εἰς τὸ ὄρος? καὶ καθίσαντος αὐτοῦ προσῆλθαν αὐτῷ οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ? 2  καὶ ἀνοίξας τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ἐδίδασκεν αὐτοὺς λέγων?

3  Μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

4  μακάριοι οἱ πενθοῦντες, ὅτι αὐτοὶ παρακληθήσονται.

5  μακάριοι οἱ πραεῖς, ὅτι αὐτοὶ κληρονομήσουσι τὴν γῆν.

6  μακάριοι οἱ πεινῶντες καὶ διψῶντες τὴν δικαιοσύνην, ὅτι αὐτοὶ χορτασθήσονται.

7  μακάριοι οἱ ἐλεήμονες, ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἐλεηθήσονται.

8  μακάριοι οἱ καθαροὶ τῇ καρδίᾳ, ὅτι αὐτοὶ τὸν θεὸν ὄψονται.

9  μακάριοι οἱ εἰρηνοποιοί, ὅτι αὐτοὶ υἱοὶ θεοῦ κληθήσονται.

10  μακάριοι οἱ δεδιωγμένοι ἕνεκεν δικαιοσύνης, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.

11  μακάριοί ἐστε ὅταν ὀνειδίσωσιν ὑμᾶς καὶ διώξωσιν καὶ εἴπωσιν πᾶν πονηρὸν καθ’ ὑμῶν ψευδόμενοι ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ.  12  χαίρετε καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, ὅτι ὁ μισθὸς ὑμῶν πολὺς ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς? οὕτως γὰρ ἐδίωξαν τοὺς προφήτας τοὺς πρὸ ὑμῶν.

Weaknesses: 

If you are familiar with the textual apparatus of either the UBC or NA, you will not find that type of information provided in the SBLGNT.  Instead of comparing individual manuscripts, the SBLGNT compares the textual basis of four major Greek New Testament publications: WH, Treg, NIV and RP. It would have been nice if the SBLGNT had included an edition from the Western textual family.  Without Western representation and with WH, Treg & NIV drowning out RP, the SBLGNT seems destined to be just another voice in the already overbalanced Alexandrian Superiority Choir.

Strengths:  If you are looking for a comparison of where the Alexandrian (WH/Treg/NIV) and Byzantine (RP) textual families differ, the SBLGNT provides such a comparison, albeit somewhat limited.  That said, it will allow the student using the SBLGNT apparatus to get a pretty fair understanding of what the Byzantine text says.

In addition, the price point is definitely in its favor.  With a free electronic edition to be had for only the effort it takes to down load it and a hard bound volume for less than $30, it is definitely a grand slam bargain.

Terms and Definitions

Yesterday I found a new term - adiaphora - with which I was unfamiliar. It is the perfect word to describe religious beliefs which over time have taken on the mantle of doctrine yet which have no basis in scripture. I have added adiaphora to to a file which I have built over the years. I call it Terms and Definitions. I thought I would share that with you today. What follows is a concise list of technical terms that biblical scholars use to discuss their chosen field of study. Initially it was a memory aid for myself but later if anyone asked for a definition it became convenient to copy and paste from it. There is no pronunciation guide other than bullet points to separate syllables.  I am interested to see if there are any major faux pas to be found within it or if I should include some additions.  Your assistance is requested.
A·di·a·phor·a	The plural form of the Greek “adiaphoron”, which means “indifferent”. The ancient stoics used it in regard to those things they considered morally neutral or in other words neither good nor bad. Some denominations used it in regards to those religious practices or customs which the scriptures neither require nor forbid.
A·poc·ry·pha	From the Greek "apokruptein" meaning to hide away. Fifteen books of the Old Testament included in the Septuagint, Vulgate, 1611 King James Version and modern Catholic versions of the Old Testament but omitted in Jewish and Protestant versions. This term is primarily used by non-Catholics.  The term used by Catholics for these books is Deuterocanonical which means second canon.
A·poc·ry·phal	A Greek word which literally means to “hide from” or to “withhold”.  An apocryphal book is one which has claims to divine inspiration but which the much of Christianity has refused to recognize and canonize. Used in this manner it may or may not be referencing the Apocrypha.
A·pol·o·get·ics	From the Greek “apologia” which means defense. That branch of theology which explains and defends religious principles by use of language, logic, fact and evidence.
A·pol·o·gist	One who wields language, logic, fact and evidence in defense of religious principles like it is a sword of honor.
Bi·ble	A book believed by its adherents to be a Testament of Jesus Christ written by some of the ancient inhabitants of the Middle East.
Deut·er·o·can·on·i·cal	From the Greek “deuteros” which means second. Primarily used by Catholics. Synonymous term for Apocrypha.  See Protocanonical
Eis·e·ges·is	Personal interpretation of a religious text where the interpreter tries to impose their understanding of a particular issue onto the text to conform to an agenda, belief or doctrine.
Eis·e·get·i·cal	Reading something into the text that is not there. The meaning is based on information not found within the text, therefore the text loses its internal integrity.
Es·chat·ol·og·y	The branch of theology, dealing with death, resurrection, judgment, immortality, etc.
Ex·e·ges·is	The analysis and interpretation of scripture in an honest and sincere attempt to discover the writer's precise meaning and original intent.
Fi·li·o·que	A phrase inserted into the Latin version of the Nicene Creed which is not present in the original Greek text.  Its inclusion contributed to Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Schism of 1054. Greek: Latin: Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum, et vivificantem: qui ex Patre Filioque procedit. English: And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and giver of life, who from the Father and the Son proceeds.)
Herm·en·eut·ics	The science and art of interpretation of complex texts such as scripture or law.
Ket·u·vim	The eleven scriptural books from the Canon of Judaism commonly known as the “Writings.  From this come 13 books of Luthor’s Old Testament Canon or the Protestant Bible: 1.) Tehilim (Psalms), 2.) Mishlei (Proverbs), 3.) Iyov (Job), 4.) Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs), 5.) Rut (Ruth), 6.) Eikhah (Lamentations), 7.) Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), 8.) Esther (Esther), 9.) Dani'el (Daniel), 10.) Ezra v'Nekhemia (Ezra & Nehemiah), 11.) Divrei Hayamim (I & II Chronicles)
Nev·i’·im	The eight scriptural books from the Canon of Judaism commonly known as the “Prophets” From this come 21 books of Luthor’s Old Testament Canon or the Protestant Bible: 1.) Y'hoshua (Joshua), 2.) Shophtim (Judges), 3.) Sh'muel (I & II Samuel), 4.) M'lakhim (I & II Kings), 5.) Y'shayahu (Isaiah), 6.) Yir'mi'yahu (Jeremiah), 7.) Y'khezqel (Ezekiel), 8.) The Twelve Prophets [a. Hoshea (Hosea), b. Yo'el (Joel), c. Amos (Amos), d. Ovadyah (Obadiah), e. Yonah (Jonah), f. Mikhah (Micah), g. Nakhum (Nahum), h. Havakuk Habakkuk), i. Ts'phanyah (Zephaniah), j. Khagai (Haggai), k. Z'kharyah (Zechariah), l. Mal'akhi (Malachi)]
Pent·a·teuch	The first five books of the Old Testament – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronom. See Torah
Pro·to·can·on·i·cal	From the Greek “protos” which means first.  The 39 books of the Old Testament which are considered to be sacred by most of Christian denominations.
Pseud·e·pi·graph·a	A body of  spurious texts composed between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D, professing to be written by prophets, kings and other individual from Biblical history.
Tan·akh	The Bible used in Judaism. It conforms to Luthor’s Canon or the Protestant Bible.  It is also known the Mikra which translated means “reading.  It is divided into three parts: 1.)Torah (Teaching),2.) Nevi’im (Prophets and 3.)Ketuvim (writings.
Tor·ah	The first five books scriptural books Judaism commonly known as the Books of Moses – Bereshit (Genesis), Shemot (Exodus), Vayikra (Leviticus), Bamidbar (Numbers) and Devarim (Deuteronomy).  See Pentateuch.

The New International Version – New Testament (1st edition)

Bible Title: The New International Version – New Testament (1^st edition)

Bible Abbreviation: NIVNT

ISBN: N/A

Publisher: Zondervan Bible Publishers – Grand Rapids, MI

Publication Date: 1973

Pages: 573

Binding: Hard

Size: 5.75” x 8.75’x 1.25” 

This is a review of the First Edition of the New Testament of the New International Version published in 1973. 

Features: The text is in a single column and in paragraph format with the verses designated with superscripted numerals.  The NIVNT is adequately and effectively footnoted.  However, it is lacking either concordance or maps. The style of the English employed cannot be said to be either American or British.  Rather its style is more international in flavor.

Comments and Observations:  The NIVNT is principally based on 2 manuscripts – the Vaticanus and the Sinaiticus.  These are much older texts than what was readily available to translators prior to the 19^th century.  It is not a feeble argument that it is better to use manuscripts that are only 300 years separated from the original autographs.  The theory is that the closer the text is to the original Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, the closer the translation will be to the precepts found in the original autographs.  The problem is that the original autographs are not extant.  Furthermore, there are literally thousands of differences between the Vaticanus and the Sinaiticus and hundreds of thousands of differences between the other available manuscripts.  As with every translation, the translators were by necessity forced to make judgments and guesses as to which reading to use.  It is up to the individual reader to determine how well the translators did with their assessments.

Over the past three decades the NIVNT, with its Old Testament cohort, has proven to be the most widely used and appreciated modern version of the Bible. The team of over one-hundred translators employed the dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) method of translation, rather than the formal equivalence (word-for-word) technique or the paraphrase approach to translation. The dynamic equivalence methodology is an attempt to strike a balance between literalness (NASB) and paraphrase (The Living Bible). This methodology conveys a more natural sounding modern English translation of the underlying Greek text.  However, on the altar of readability, dynamic equivalence often forces the translator’s theology on the reader.

Old Testament Comparative Verse: N/A

New Testament Comparative Verse:  Matthew 5:1-12.

1  Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2  and he began to teach them, saying:

3  "Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4  Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

5  Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

6  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

7  Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

8  Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

9  Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God.

10  Blessed are those who are persecuted

because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11  "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Weaknesses:  Sometimes, the theology of the translators made for poor translations. Romans 1:17 provides an excellent example. For comparison the King James Version reads:

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith (emphasis added)”

 The NIVNT reads:

 “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last. (emphasis added)”

The translators of the NIVNT decided to say that the Greek text was referencing the righteousness which God gives; not the righteousness of God’s character.  In addition, they buried the original text with their own interpretation by promoting a “justification by faith” theological agenda. That is exegetically unfortunate.  To be fair, later editions of the NIV have added the more literal "from faith to faith" in a footnote.

Another example is found in the footnote of 1 Timothy 3:11.  Referring to deacons, the NIV has Paul writing, “In the same way, their wives are to be…”, which is the traditional translation.  However, in a footnote, the NIV says, "Or way, deaconesses".  The Greek word for “deaconess” is διάκονος while the Greek for “wife” is γυνή.  I cannot find a single manuscript or variant reading listed in the United Bible Societies, Nestle-Aland or the recently published Society of Biblical Literature editions of the Greek New Testament which supports this.  Simply put, διάκονος is not found in this verse!  That the footnote suggests that this passage is referring to deaconesses, rather than to the wives of deacons, is misleading at best.

Strengths:  For all its weaknesses, I think that the NIV is a fine translation.  The NIV was the second translation – the New World Translation being the first – to deliberately leave the path blazed by the Tyndale family of Bibles.  It is readable and fairly easy to understand.  The language is current and mostly without archaic terms or anachronisms.  One can find the gospel within it.  One can teach the gospel from it.  One can be lead to Jesus Christ by it.

The King James Version took a few revisions to get it to its present form.  The NIV, too, is a work in progress.  This year, the NIV presents its latest revision of the word of God in modern English.  I shall review it presently.