NASB - The Best Bible for Apologetics

[kotek]

I agree that the NASB is an excellent translation as is the English Standard Version, I use both extensively as well as the New Jerusalem Bible. One answer, at least the one that works for me is to use the ESV and/or the NASB as a main study Bible and when you use the Deutero-Canonicals read them from the Jerusalem Bible(old or new) or the RSV-CE.

 

[Cranch]

I mean this with all respect, but you are missing the point and confusing catagories. The text of scripture is not based on oral tradition. Scripture is the written tradition. This has nothing to do with Sola anything either. There is an oral tradition to be sure. But scripture is not it. I am not saying scripture is the only source, but for even the Catholic church it the prime source, Prima Scriptura not sola scriptura. I believe authority and tradition are also neccesary.

I know we’re off the thread topic here, but I wanted to comment because I don’t agree with this. I admit you are not alone in your view. Many Catholic theologians hold it. The Catholic Church does not teach Prima Scriptura, however, it teaches equality of Tradition and Scripture (see CCC excerpts below). We know Tradition comes from God, and because it pre-dates the written New Testament, it was passed on orally. Before the Church had the written Gospels and Epistles, it still had the Word and the Holy Spirit.

II. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRADITION AND SACRED SCRIPTURE

One common source. . .

80 “Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, then, are bound closely together, and communicate one with the other. For both of them, flowing out from the same divine well-spring, come together in some fashion to form one thing, and move towards the same goal.” Each of them makes present and fruitful in the Church the mystery of Christ, who promised to remain with his own “always, to the close of the age”.

. . . two distinct modes of transmission

81 “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit.”
“And [Holy] Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit. It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that, enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound and spread it abroad by their preaching."
82 As a result the Church, to whom the transmission and interpretation of Revelation is entrusted, "does not derive her certainty about all revealed truths from the holy Scriptures alone.** Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence.”

 

[MrStain]

I agree with the OP’s basic argument; that, for apologetics purposes, having a version of the Bible non-Catholic Christians (NCC’s) respect is very helpful. Having said that, most NCC’s are bowled over to see a Catholic carry **any **Bible, especially if it is well-worn and the wielder actually can find his way around it. Dusty, oversize family Bibles with the pages still stuck together don’t count.

Don’t hate me, but I must confess that my King James version is still my bed-side bible and my favorite. I even take it to adoration and mass on an occasional Sunday. My wife gives me a look like God is going to strike me down in Church when I do this

It is the version I grew up with as a Baptist and I used it throughout my journey into the RCC. I also have all of my good notes and favorite verses highlighted throughout the bible. Additionally, I have all of the good apologetic verses highlighted in their own special color to be used in case of emergency (i.e. JW’s/SDA’s or my old Baptist friends at the door) . I also have the Dhouey-Rheims version, but it’s hard for me to give up the beautiful translations that I’ve heard my entire life i.e. 23rd psalm, etc.

 

[dalcent]

Don’t hate me, but I must confess that my King James version is still my bed-side bible and my favorite. I even take it to adoration and mass on an occasional Sunday. My wife gives me a look like God is going to strike me down in Church when I do this

It is the version I grew up with as a Baptist and I used it throughout my journey into the RCC. I also have all of my good notes and favorite verses highlighted throughout the bible. Additionally, I have all of the good apologetic verses highlighted in their own special color to be used in case of emergency (i.e. JW’s/SDA’s or my old Baptist friends at the door) . I also have the Dhouey-Rheims version, but it’s hard for me to give up the beautiful translations that I’ve heard my entire life i.e. 23rd psalm, etc.

MrStain,

Your sentiments are fully understandable. The KJV is a beautiful translation: (I can’t help feeling that if you/I had been brought up on the Douay Rheims we’d love it as much.)

I find the KJV an extremely honest translation. There is far more Protestant bias in the New KJV obviously because it was rehashed by “American conservative evangelicals.”

I certainly find more anti-Catholic bias in some of our “official” approved versions: NAB, NRSV, JB, NJB, CCB and GNT. I wonder where some of the translators are coming from: liberals???, Protestant plants???

The ultra-literal usually evangelical versions are accurate; and I contend this is most true of the NASB. Both the NASB and KJV are so literal and honest they are a weapon for the Catholic Faith. As far as I’m concerned an accurate Bible is always Catholic because truth resides with the Catholic tradition.

Surely this is the best KJV for you, the 1611 Critical Text with full Catholic canon:-
KJV New Cambridge Paragraph Bible with the Apocrypha Black French Morocco leather (Leather Bound) $80

Paperback version$11

 

[MrStain]

MrStain,

Your sentiments are fully understandable. The KJV is a beautiful translation: (I can’t help feeling that if you/I had been brought up on the Douay Rheims we’d love it as much.)

I find the KJV an extremely honest translation. There is far more Protestant bias in the New KJV obviously because it was rehashed by “American conservative evangelicals.”

I certainly find more anti-Catholic bias in some of our “official” approved versions: NAB, NRSV, JB, NJB, CCB and GNT. I wonder where some of the translators are coming from: liberals???, Protestant plants???

The ultra-literal usually evangelical versions are accurate; and I contend this is most true of the NASB. Both the NASB and KJV are so literal and honest they are a weapon for the Catholic Faith. As far as I’m concerned an accurate Bible is always Catholic because truth resides with the Catholic tradition.

Surely this is the best KJV for you, the 1611 Critical Text with full Catholic canon:-
KJV New Cambridge Paragraph Bible with the Apocrypha Black French Morocco leather (Leather Bound) $80

Paperback version$11

Thanks for the link. I’ve always wanted to get a King James version with the full canon. Regarding my earlier quote this am:

I have all of the good apologetic verses highlighted in their own special color to be used in case of emergency (i.e. JW’s/SDA’s or my old Baptist friends at the door)

Guess who showed up at my house this AM? I was on my roof stringing those darn icicle lights my beloved wife has been harassing me to hang up for years and the JW’s (one man and one woman) strolled up my driveway. As many of the ex-JW’s have mentioned on this forum they are good at keeping track of prior conversations/meetings and thus they remembered my name and that I was a recent convert to Catholicism. As I wanted to get the lights strung up I figured I’d cut to the chase with my visitors and I gave them the 2 minute version of my conversion story. I closed by making it clear out that I’ve come to believe firmly in the teachings of the Catholic Church and specifically that Jesus founded one Church. At that point the man mentioned how sad it was that there were so many different denominations and he offered me his Watchtower magazine. I politely declined informing that my best friend growing up was a JW and that I’ve read much of there material before. Anyways, we spoke a little bit about our current events (this seems to be there usual strategy when they show up) and traded a few gospel verses back and forth. It was obvious we were beating around the bush, so I asked them if they believed in the Trinity and there response was as expected: “There is no scriptural evidence for it”. I then asked them what translation they were using and of course they had some strange JW version that I’m sure doesn’t have scriptural evidence for the Trinity. Anyways, I pointed out that this is clear teaching from the earliest times and that it could be backed up with Scripture. They then wanted to setup and appointment with me to sit down and discuss further and I just told them no on the appointment, but they could come by anytime they are in the neighborhood and we could talk some more.
I applaud their perseverance and if I wasn’t on my roof I would have broke out my worn-out and highlighted KJV and shown them where scripture indicates Jesus is God.