How do I respond to " What version of the Bible do you use?

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SSJD

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Dear Apologist,
Several times a Protestant has asked me “What version of the Bible do you use?”
As if to negate the validity of what I am quoting by moving the topic to “Bible Version” instead of the topic we are discussing.
What is the best way to answer this?

I am thinking that the best way to answer is to say
“I use the version that the Church who put the Bible together in the first place gives us.”

What do you think about this ?

SSJD
 
SSJD said:
Dear Apologist,
Several times a Protestant has asked me “What version of the Bible do you use?”
As if to negate the validity of what I am quoting by moving the topic to “Bible Version” instead of the topic we are discussing.
What is the best way to answer this?

I am thinking that the best way to answer is to say
“I use the version that the Church who put the Bible together in the first place gives us.”

What do you think about this ?

SSJD
Click to expand...
I’d suggest you just give them the version of the bible you’re using.

Mine is either the Douay-Rheims or RSV-CE, usually the RSV-CE.

You can always compare the texts in question with them, and deal with any inconsistencies by looking up the facts as to why they’re different.

In other words, don’t get defensive. Just stick to the facts, and smiles go a long ways in making them look silly when they’re being silly.
 
SSJD said:
Dear Apologist,
Several times a Protestant has asked me “What version of the Bible do you use?”
As if to negate the validity of what I am quoting by moving the topic to “Bible Version” instead of the topic we are discussing.
What is the best way to answer this?

I am thinking that the best way to answer is to say
“I use the version that the Church who put the Bible together in the first place gives us.”

What do you think about this ?

SSJD
Click to expand...
If you use the version that the Church put together it would be the Latin Vulgate. In English the Latin Vulgate is the Douay-Rheims (at least the Sixtus and Clementine, but not Nova Vulgata). The Douay-Rheims is closest to those that use the King James Version assuming that they use the KJV, which from a fundamentalist and evangelistic point of view, just be honest and tell what version you use. You most likely never to find a legit Protestant Bible with all the books. Some circumstances yes.
 
“I use the New American Bible. You wouldn’t believe how much we’ve learned about the Greek language since the times of King James!”
 
Hi SSJD,

As said above, show them the Bible you use

The Latin Vulgate is the official bible of the Church. Contrary to what has been intimated above, the Douay does not enjoy the same “officialness”. Just like the Vulgate is a translation from the original texts, so does the Church encourage translations into the various languages from the original Hebrew and Greek texts. Among the ones preferred by Catholics are The New Revised Standard Version - Catholic Edition and the New Jerusalem Bible. In the US. the New American Bible has some official status in the sense that it has been published by the Conference of Bishops and is used, as I understand, in the mass.

Verbum
 
Just give a straight answer. Cross the bridge when you come to it.
“I use the RSV, NAB, Douay, or whatever.”
 
I am uncomfortable with the word “version” as in “there is more than one version of a story.” I would prefer to talk about the different translations from the original. The probably meen the same thing but I would want to emphasize that all versions should be based on the original Hebrew and Greek texts.
 
Even although “officially” a Lutheran, I have used the NJB for some time now. I find it very easy to read and understand as well as being a good English translation in the scholarly sense.

I see no problem with that.

Sticking his foot in the Tiber,

Harri
 
SSJD said:
Dear Apologist,
Several times a Protestant has asked me “What version of the Bible do you use?”
As if to negate the validity of what I am quoting by moving the topic to “Bible Version” instead of the topic we are discussing.
What is the best way to answer this?

I am thinking that the best way to answer is to say
“I use the version that the Church who put the Bible together in the first place gives us.”

What do you think about this ?

SSJD
Click to expand...
I usually respond with a list - the one I use for teaching, the one I use for devotional reading, and the one I use for personal study.

If they make a big issue of the Deuterocanon, mention that during the lifetime of King James, the King James Bible also contained the Deuterocanon - it wasn’t removed until several decades after his death. 😃
 
Several times a Protestant has asked me “What version of the Bible do you use?”
As if to negate the validity of what I am quoting by moving the topic to “Bible Version” instead of the topic we are discussing.
What is the best way to answer this?
Click to expand...
“Oh my goodness! I thought you were never going to ask! Here let me show you…”

Then show them your bible. 👍

May God bless you.
 
The version isn’t nearly as important as which interpretation you use, which is easier to back up if you actually use more than 1 version.
 
Well, how is this being asked? Is this someone carrying a big imposing King James asking, or is it just a person you happen to know who is asking out of curiosity?

With the first one, I like the answer about the Greek language. 😉 With the second, just give the Bible translation…because they probably don’t mean anything by it.

I’m a Protestant and I’ll ask what version someone’s using if I don’t recognise it (for instance, when it’s being quoted/read) - just because I like to know those things. I don’t think one translation is really better than another, though I do have my own preferences.
 
If they make a big issue of the Deuterocanon, mention that during the lifetime of King James, the King James Bible also contained the Deuterocanon - it wasn’t removed until several decades after his death.

**Actually, it’s ILLEGAL to print one in the UK without the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical Books.

I won’t have a mutilated KJV in my house.**
 
Harri_Laaksonen said:
Even although “officially” a Lutheran, I have used the NJB for some time now. I find it very easy to read and understand as well as being a good English translation in the scholarly sense.

I see no problem with that.

Sticking his foot in the Tiber,

Harri
Click to expand...
And how do you find the water temperature to your liking, Harri? 😉

To the OP, just tell them what version you use. Seems you suspect that there’s an agenda behind the question, and there may well be. Deal with that later.

It’s very difficult to argue against “This is the version that I’m comfortable with” as an explanation as to why you’re reading what your’e reading. 😉
 
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