Many people have asked, “What is the best translation of the Bible?” Some wonder if there are unreliable versions of the Bible that should be avoided. There are also questions swirling around about whether or not modern translations remove verses from the Bible. This episode of The Bible Study Podcast explores how translations work and how to be a better Bible student by understanding translation philosophy.
Wes McAdams and guest Kevin Burr, a Greek and New Testament professor at Harding University, discuss the differences between word-for-word and thought-for-thought translations. They emphasize that no single translation is "the best," but rather that each has strengths and weaknesses. They also explain why some translations exclude certain verses based on older, more reliable manuscripts. The conversation highlights how language changes over time, making updated translations necessary for clarity and accuracy.
Kevin Burr teaches Greek and New Testament at Harding University and previously served as a discipleship minister at King’s Crossing Church of Christ in Corpus Christi, Texas. He has nearly a decade of congregational ministry experience and now equips future ministers in biblical studies.
Resources Mentioned:
Logos Bible Study Software (www.logos.com/radicallychristian)
From the KJV to the NIV by Jack P. Lewis
Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew About the Bible by Michael Bird
I was always told not to use any bible other than the King James version because the newer ones have been altered and could misinterpreted the way the scripture was read , whereby it's unacceptable because of the last statement from God that says if anybody adds to or takes away from the way it is written , will receive eternal damnation upon himself and whomever follows his version and teaching from it !
How sad. I'm sorry that was what you were told.
That's ok , I have multiple versions of English translation and between them there are an amount of discrepancy on how they were written! I've 1 that is the new American English version and I went to church and they have their translations and it was different on the way the texts were written too , so I'm not too bothered about it . God will tell me if I need to change which one I need to read and study !