I like it. You like it. So, if you don’t mind, for those of you on Facebook, please “like” this page. And for those of you who aren’t, go ahead and sign up for Facebook so that you can “like” it now.
The NLT Study bible is chocked full of good stuff. And, it wins, so far in the Study Bible Wars.
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I wanted to highlight just a few things about the NLT Study Bible and the ESV Study Bible as a point of comparison. This post is not meant to be all incluvise or even a review.
In Genesis 1.26, the NLT Study Bible reads,
Let us make is more personal than the remote “Let there be” (e.g., 1.36). The plural us has inspired several explanations:
- the Trinity;
- the plural to denote majesty;
- a plural to show deliberation with the self; and
- God speaking with his heavenly court of angels
The editors answer these objections, and I’ll skip most of what they say. No doubt the editors, translators and others who worked on the NLT Study Bible, the scholars anyway, are devout ‘orthodox’ Christians believing in the Trinity. Yet here, they allow for a more scholastic approach which keeps the integrity of the passage free from later dogmatization. They note, “The concept of the Trinity – one true God who exists eternally in three distinct persons – was revealed at a later stage in redemptive history, making it unlikely that the human author intended that here.” They conclude the note by stating that option 4 is the the most likely answer. And indeed, it is. This is the position of ancient Jewish interpreters as well, as demonstrated in the Jewish Study Bible.
The ESV Study Bible notes that the “text does not specify the identify of the “us” mentioned here.” Ahh… the false notion of Scripture interpreting Scripture. A starting point for the interpretation of Scripture cannot be Scripture, as it allows for circular logical to act as the foundation of the loudest voice being right. The ESV Study Bible Editors goes on to note what the NLT Study Bible does, that the ‘us’ (as it is in other places in the OT) is the heavenly court. Yet, they end by stating, “Many Christians and some Jews have taken “us” to be God speaking to himself, since God alone does the making in Genesis. 1.27 (cf 5.1); this would be the first hint of the Trinity in the Bible (cf. 1.2).”
But it’s not. It is actually the heavenly court which was the understanding of the people who first read this passage. While it is easy for us to sit here today and reread the original works, the Scriptures were not created in a vacuum. The writers used the lexicons and encyclopedias of the day so that those who heard them then would understand the meaning of the text. How arrogant of us to think that the people for whom it was written didn’t understand it, and yet, we do.
Overall, I like the ESV Study Bible notes, but in several areas, the NLT Study Bible remains intellectually honest.
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Thanks to Adam for this Sampler. The entire bible is due on August 1.
As a fan of the NLT and more, the NLT Study Bible, I was interested to note that Tyndale will now produce the NLT Study Bible’s notes along side the notes of the Life Application series. I find that while the NLT Study Bible’s notes are more conservative than something like the New Oxford Annotated Bible, they are still filled with integrity. For example look at the notes for Genesis 1.26 and Isaiah 7.14. When you can be honest about these verses, I find that the rest of the study notes are to be respected as well. The Life Application series has been around for a little while and is attached to various translations. This system of notes is meant for a more broadly based daily use with the goal of helping the Christian to apply Scriptural teachings to their own lives.
So what’s the reason you should but this bible and there by replace both your already purchased Study Bible and Life Application Bible? For starters, there is the parallel feature. The translation is single column, at the top of the page. Below the ‘fold’, in parallel columns, the editors have placed the notes attached to each bible. Instead of taking two bibles, or rather, having to chose between the two, you can now enjoy both of them at the same time. You can fill up your scholastic need as well as your devotional need!
The sampler only includes Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, so the features may change.
One of these features are short studies on the book of Romans. Seven, actually. They cover a variety of theological topics which are meant for small groups or individuals. There are not overly in depth, but these studies will get you more than familiar with the particular book and some of the current theological thinking regarding them.
The problem with bibles like these is the question, “Do I really need another one?” I think that some of us live in a false dichotomy that critical studies (even of the evangelical variety) must be separated from devotional or theological living. A bible like this helps to show that the separation isn’t that wide and can be somewhat welded together. For those who like their devotional readings mixed with conservative critical studies, I think that the answer to the above question is “Yes, you do need this bible.” Plus, it gives you a reason to remark your bible up (shivers) and cross reference between study and life.
Actually, it is a pretty good editorial all by itself, but you know….
It reminds me of Daniel and the dream he interpreted for King Nebuchadnezzar, who demanded that his wise men not only interpret the dream but that they also tell him what he dreamed in the first place. He wasn’t giving any hints. So, Daniel and his friends prayed and the dream was revealed to him that night.
What Daniel saw was a statue of a man, which “was a frightening sight.” As the New Living Translation tells the story from the second chapter of Daniel, the head was made of fine gold, the chest and arms were silver, the belly and thighs were bronze, the legs iron, and its feet were a combination of iron and baked clay. In the dream, a rock was cut from a mountain and struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them. Then the whole statue was crushed into small pieces and blown away by the wind without a trace.
via Why we should not hide from our mistakes » Columns » Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV.
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Over at the blog which must not be named, a discussion as sprung up about the translation of Psalm 144.3:
O LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him? Or the son of man, that You think of him? – NASB
O LORD, who are we that you should notice us, mere mortals that you should care for us? – NLT
O LORD, what are human beings that you regard them, or mortals that you think of them? – NRSV
The big deal is whether or not the NRSV, and by virtue, all translations who do the same thing, are missing something. I say no. I note, briefly, that the NLT translates the Hebrew phase as ‘Son of Man’ in Ezekiel and Daniel, where the imagery of the Son of Man in the Gospels (well, sorta) comes from. Here, I think that the Psalmist is referring to humanity as a whole…
Although, there is the image in Hebrews 2 where in this passage is quoted and applied to Christ, although some would argue that Jesus is seen here coming from humanity. I might not, but some do.
So, what do you think? I think that the NLT is right to translate it as Son of Man in Ezekiel and Daniel, but not sure that the Messianic precursor is present in the Psalms and therefore the NRSV and the NLT’s translation is allowable.
While doing the work up on this for my OT class, I noticed something which again reminds me of why I enjoy the NLT:
| JPS | NLT | NASB |
| 35 Thus said the LORD, Who established the sun for light by day, The laws of moon and stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea into roaring waves, Whose name is LORD of Hosts:
36 If these laws should ever be annulled by Me — declares the LORD — Only then would the offspring of Israel cease To be a nation before Me for all time. 37 Thus said the LORD: If the heavens above could be measured, and the foundations of the earth below could be fathomed, only then would I reject all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done — declares the LORD. |
35 It is the LORD who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and this is what he says:
36 “I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!” 37 This is what the LORD says: “Just as the heavens cannot be measured and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored, so I will not consider casting them away for the evil they have done. I, the LORD, have spoken! |
35 Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name:
36 “If this fixed order departs From before Me,” declares the LORD, “Then the offspring of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever.” 37 Thus says the LORD, “If the heavens above can be measured, And the foundations of the earth searched out below, Then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel For all that they have done,” declares the LORD. |
The affirmation in v36 and 37 is a positive one, and yet, the more literal readings has it almost as a threat. There is absolutely no possibility that the natural laws will disappear from the Cosmos and neither will the measuring of the heavens above be accomplished because as science tells us, the Universe is constantly expanding.
Frankly, the NLT’s translation shines through here and relates to us God’s unending love for His people.
I’ve been invited to post on the NLT at Chad and some other kool aid drinking dude’s blog. You can read it here.
I wonder if I could make that into a song ‘Me and the NLT’ – maybe sung to the tune of ‘Me and Bobby McGee’
Rodney has been wrong a lot lately, but I suspect that it has more to do with having the blinders of dissent on (which I plan on getting to later), than actual facts. He, and I am sure this is just an attempt at trying to be funny, insists that the NLT reader is,
Indicates that you have been a part of the Bible Wars for years and you are looking for a way to escape the King James Version only crowd. It means you still hold on to your embedded conservative theology but are desiring to engage other Christians outside of the KJVO faith.
What Your Bible Translation Tells Me about You | Political Jesus.
Several things are wrong with that statement, as it is usually is with what Rodney writes. First, I haven’t been a part of the ‘bible wars’ for years, and really, from what I can see from other NLT users, they haven’t either. I left the bible wars years ago when I first picked up the NKJV then the RSV then the, well, you get the picture. I really have no need to engage in bible wars, except to defend the right of the reader to choose a bible which suits them.
I have no ‘embedded conservative theology.’ I classify myself as theological conservative because I believe that all things pertaining to the life of a Christian, especially in the matters of theology and Christian growth, must be based on Scripture. There is simply no ‘well, it was a different time then’ with me. I believe that we take Scripture and find the right interpretative measures for it, such as what the original audience might have heard, the etymology of the passages, and as always, the original languages.
I might get to that last bit in a later post, since people have a difficult time constructing what makes one a liberal or a conservative, either politically or theologically, because they insist on being subjective. Subjectivity leads only to incomplete decisions and irrational statements. But, alas, I digress…
Do I use other translations? Sure. I use the RSV and will use the NRSV if I must. I prefer the NASB for more academic study if I cannot use the original Greek, and the NETS for reading/studying/citing the Septuagint. I like the NLT for reading, studying, devotionals, and conversational preaching. By far and away, the NLT is my bible of choice. It is also my family’s. Not because I have chosen it because others didn’t (think Rodney and the NRSV or his aversion to anything which seems liked), or that it is conservative (just ask the ESV-Only crowd), or that is a fashion statement (think Message, then forget about the Message and get yourself a real bible, like the NLT). I chose the NLT because it saved my bible reading, and I was able to share with others, in their language-speak, what the Gospel means.
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Mark Taylor, current chief at Tyndale House Publishers and son of the founder of the company, has a post up about the style of the NLT, sort of. Many simply assume that the Dynamic approach (of course, I use that word in several ways!) to translating (yes, translating, not paraphrasing an earlier edition of the Scriptures) the NLT is adding to the text.
In the comments section, a commentator points to Acts 2.38, from the 2004, edition, which was changed to reflect a certain view on baptism. This was an interpretation, which was repealed in the 2007 version. This is one of the strengths, in my opinion, of Tyndale and the NLT, that they are trying to improve their translation, and not build a cult following around a set-in-stone edition.
You can read the post here:
Also, you may note the fact that the NLT Blog will be renewing itself as a new edition (like the Mosaic, not a fourth revision) is prepared.
And, one more thing. Helen Adam Sabados is interviewed for the Tyndale Blog. Adam is a great guy, at least on Twitter, and sets a fine example of the employees at Tyndale, on Twitter. Although he is from Ohio, is not that bad of a guy, on Twitter.
For those of you with an Android phone, I have created a first generation, 1.0, app for the NLT community. It contains links to the NLT Online, Interlinear, NLT Blog, Facebook Community (to the mobile site), and to the Tyndale House Blog. It is not in the market yet, but once I move to the 2.0, it should be. It is free and will be so, and locked to point to only official Tyndale/NLT pages. I hope to include, at some point, a link to the verse of the day via Twitter, as well as NLT/Tyndale House news. That will require me learning java source code, but sure, why not.
You will need a barcode scanner and a gmail account, or an email associated with Google.com. Scan the above and away you go. The app will be listed as NLT with the Android icon in your phone.
It is a labor of love as many of you know, I happen to like the NLT and Tyndale. I’ll update this whenever I get to the 2.0 level.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.
