The Bible

#5 @Dale Masters: I remember when the Catholic service was still in Latin..and I'm not expressing any one opinion in the Buzz other than to describe a 'hot' issue for many theologians. Love the Comment thread, all! @Vivian Chapman, @Randy Keho, @Dale! Very educational!

#3 @Randy Keho: Yes. Teaching high-schoolers? Eeks. Hardest job ever. Hat's off to you once again, my friend!

#2 @Vivian Chapman: well, I would really feel comfortable in your house!

@Margaret Aranda, MD, PhD Though I prefer the original King James version, I have a copy of the AKJV. I use Strong's to better translate the passages I study, and it has given me an entirely new perspective on what is actually in the Bible, vs. what many preachers claim is in the Bible. @Vivian Chapman I do believe you are correct. A version of the Bible translated correctly in the current vernacular is far more likely to be read b today's youth. (Literacy in the US has plummeted from what it was 100 years ago, but that's a whole other subject, with a very disturbing reason.) I am fortunate in that I was taught basic Latin in grade school. Though I've forgotten much, I still retain a bit of it.

I have depended upon the Revised Standard Version, presented to me by my church after completing the confirmation classes. I received it on Sept. 24, 1967. I have retained membership in the Presbyterian Church for nearly 50 years. In turn, I raised my two children in the Presbyterian Church, while serving as an elder and Sunday school teacher -- at the high school level. That was a challenge. @Margaret Aranda, MD, PhD

Well, my house is full of bibles - all different. I use Strong's concordance of the bible and study meanings and origins of individual words. I have a Greek interlinear New Testament. My favourite version is the King James, but I quite like James Moffatt.
When I read the bible, I want to hear what God is saying to me, personally. I find He speaks to me in one version, but if I read another translation and it differs, He may speak to me in that one.
The clue here is: the bible is not the truth in itself, but the "truth about the truth" as someone said. It is one witness to the truth, and you need the second witness of the Holy Spirit to agree with the written word and apply it to your heart.
I must say, I quite like: "Work hard for sin your whole life, and your penion is death"!
Using a more paraphrased version is really useful to get the general sense, and also when you start off reading the bible. Later on, you can start to read more "difficult" versions, and later on still, you begin to study individual words. I personally couldn't understand the King James, so I read The Living Bible, graduating to James Moffatt, and finally back to the King James. God speaks in all of them. It's all about revelation - God opening your eyes so you SEE what He is saying as well as hearing.

We take lots of things for granted. Are you using the "best" version of the Bible?