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Church_Militant
Guest
This is great guys. Thank you so much. Please keep it coming. This is something that all of us have in common.
God’s peace,
God’s peace,
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Thinkingaloud
Guest
Indeed I do!
The ESV is my main translation but I also have the NIV, AV, “Good News Bible, catholic edition”, Luther Bibel" (mit Apokryphen), and “Hoffnung fuer alle”
I go to my room and normally pray first, then read whichever book I’m reading at the moment. If I come to a part I struggle to understand I sometimes check commentaries and books to understand the passage better.
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Izdaari
Guest
Yes, though not as often as I should.
I favor the ESV and NRSV about equally.
I have at least a dozen translations, all the major ones and some of the minor ones. A few of those are Catholic editions, and some that aren’t include the DC’s.
All the way through once. Working on doing that again soon. Otherwise, sporadically, as the mood strikes me.
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4Squarebaby
Guest
Church Militant:
I have 6 different English translations in print.
We have a reading plan that works through the New Testament twice a year and the Old Testament once per year.
Posted from Catholic.com App for Android
Normal reading is done with the New Living Translation during the week. The New King James version is the one used by my home church.
I have 6 different English translations in print.
We have a reading plan that works through the New Testament twice a year and the Old Testament once per year.
Posted from Catholic.com App for Android
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BeProfOSX
Guest
I’ve only read the Bible formally through once, as part of one of those “through the bible in a year” plans. Believe it or not, that makes me the odd man out amongst old school Evangelicals. Most of the people in my church have read the Bible cover to cover at least 20 times. Some of them more than 50 or even 100 times. My Wife and Mother-in-Law read the Bible through three times a year.
Having said that, between all the different ways in which I’m exposed to scripture throughout the week, I’d say I’ve personally read every verse, with the exception of the “begats”, at least half a dozen times.
I own a KJV, a NASB, a couple-three copies of the NIV, and an ESV. The multiple NIV copies is because I just plain wore them out and I can never quite seem to bring myself to throw a old, worn out bible in the trash. It’s superstitious, I know, but it just doesn’t seem right. So, I just stash them in a drawer.
I prefer the ESV and that’s the Bible I carry with me to church, even though we use the NIV when preaching.
I do memorize scripture, but not as often as I should. Back when I was in Bible College, I was positively against scripture memorization on the grounds that it’s too easy to memorize it wrong and all Christians ought to be in the habit of carrying bibles with them at all times so that they can look things up, rather than try to quote them from memory. I’ve since turned around on that since I can speak from experience that there’s a real difference between having certain select verses “at hand” vs. “in your heart.” Indeed, Scripture memorization has absolutely no scholarly value whatsoever, but it sure is handy when you’re out here in the “real world” are and trying to resist temptation.
Ironically, the thing that’s been most effective in helping me “catch up” on my scripture memorization is helping my kids with their AWANA memorization every week. I’ve got one in Cubbies and one in Sparks, so between the two of them, that’s two verses every week that I get to memorize right along with them.
Having said that, between all the different ways in which I’m exposed to scripture throughout the week, I’d say I’ve personally read every verse, with the exception of the “begats”, at least half a dozen times.
I own a KJV, a NASB, a couple-three copies of the NIV, and an ESV. The multiple NIV copies is because I just plain wore them out and I can never quite seem to bring myself to throw a old, worn out bible in the trash. It’s superstitious, I know, but it just doesn’t seem right. So, I just stash them in a drawer.
I prefer the ESV and that’s the Bible I carry with me to church, even though we use the NIV when preaching.
I do memorize scripture, but not as often as I should. Back when I was in Bible College, I was positively against scripture memorization on the grounds that it’s too easy to memorize it wrong and all Christians ought to be in the habit of carrying bibles with them at all times so that they can look things up, rather than try to quote them from memory. I’ve since turned around on that since I can speak from experience that there’s a real difference between having certain select verses “at hand” vs. “in your heart.” Indeed, Scripture memorization has absolutely no scholarly value whatsoever, but it sure is handy when you’re out here in the “real world” are and trying to resist temptation.
Ironically, the thing that’s been most effective in helping me “catch up” on my scripture memorization is helping my kids with their AWANA memorization every week. I’ve got one in Cubbies and one in Sparks, so between the two of them, that’s two verses every week that I get to memorize right along with them.
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Stilldreamn
Guest
Do you read it? Every day
What version? ESV-Lutheran Study Bible & Apocrypha (w/Lutheran notes)
Do you have more than one? yes, I also have NIV, KJV, NAB-RE. I use the internet to read others.
How do you read it? currently following the lectionary but have read it starting at Genesis several times.
What version? ESV-Lutheran Study Bible & Apocrypha (w/Lutheran notes)
Do you have more than one? yes, I also have NIV, KJV, NAB-RE. I use the internet to read others.
How do you read it? currently following the lectionary but have read it starting at Genesis several times.
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Church_Militant
Guest
These are excellent responses folks and I greatly appreciate each one. Some of you sound older, like BeProfOSX there, but I like the experiences I’m reading here and there is much insight to be gained from this, so please keep it coming my friends. 
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Protestor
Guest
I try to read every day but it tends to happen only every other day. Usually end up 4 times a week.
Still working on reading the whole Bible all the way through. I have read most of the books of the bible separately and the new testament many times over.
I own an ESV it is my favorite, but I do have a lot of other bibles. My second favorite is the interlinear bible. list : NIV, KJV, NKJV, NASB, NRSV, NLT, The Message(not a true translation), a copy of the dead sea scrolls and the apocrypha.
Best online resource is definitely bible.cc they have every translation and lots of languages to choose from. It makes looking up strongs numbers so quick. It has a ton of commentaries though I don’t think it has catholic commentaries I do not know the names of any RCC approved commentaries. I don’t think you asked this but my favorite commentary is Gill’s exposition then Barnes notes then JFB
I dont carry a bible to church but I have one on my phone so I feel like that still counts
Never read the apocrypha. Just read bits and pieces online
Still working on reading the whole Bible all the way through. I have read most of the books of the bible separately and the new testament many times over.
I own an ESV it is my favorite, but I do have a lot of other bibles. My second favorite is the interlinear bible. list : NIV, KJV, NKJV, NASB, NRSV, NLT, The Message(not a true translation), a copy of the dead sea scrolls and the apocrypha.
Best online resource is definitely bible.cc they have every translation and lots of languages to choose from. It makes looking up strongs numbers so quick. It has a ton of commentaries though I don’t think it has catholic commentaries I do not know the names of any RCC approved commentaries. I don’t think you asked this but my favorite commentary is Gill’s exposition then Barnes notes then JFB
I dont carry a bible to church but I have one on my phone so I feel like that still counts
Never read the apocrypha. Just read bits and pieces online
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SyCarl
Guest
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ahs
Guest
Just for fun I am comparing the poll results from here and over in the Scripture area (for the Catholics).
Just by going off the members here on CAF, it looks like:
Non-Catholics are more likely to have read the Bible in its entirety, while Catholics are more likely to read more often. I’m guessing that’s got something to do with the Catholics having “daily readings” for each day througout the liturgical calendar? Do mayn non-Catholics have “daily readings” like that? (I would assume Lutherans and Anglicans do?)
While non-Catholics are more likely to carry their Bible to Church with them, we are pretty much the same as far as owning our own copy of the Scriptures.
Very neat poll CM!!
Just by going off the members here on CAF, it looks like:
Non-Catholics are more likely to have read the Bible in its entirety, while Catholics are more likely to read more often. I’m guessing that’s got something to do with the Catholics having “daily readings” for each day througout the liturgical calendar? Do mayn non-Catholics have “daily readings” like that? (I would assume Lutherans and Anglicans do?)
While non-Catholics are more likely to carry their Bible to Church with them, we are pretty much the same as far as owning our own copy of the Scriptures.
Very neat poll CM!!
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TC2
Guest
I haven’t read the Bible through completely yet, but I’m working on it now. This is my second try.
I use the Good News Bible for this, but for church we use the NKJ. We also have at home the NIV, KJV, a chronological Bible, and the Message.
I try to read every night, but I don’t always make it. So around 4 times a week. I have gone weeks without reading, however. So I do need to read more often/regularly.
I haven’t read the Deutorocanicals? Prob spelled that wrong. I may in the future, though.
I don’t really have a favorite version, but it may be the NKJV. I like to have several versions available, though. Sometimes the change of one little word will not so much change the meaning of a passage, as open it up in new ways and give better understanding.
Of course, you have to be careful with this, sometimes changing words DOES change the meaning, and not in a good way!
I use the Good News Bible for this, but for church we use the NKJ. We also have at home the NIV, KJV, a chronological Bible, and the Message.
I try to read every night, but I don’t always make it. So around 4 times a week. I have gone weeks without reading, however. So I do need to read more often/regularly.
I haven’t read the Deutorocanicals? Prob spelled that wrong. I may in the future, though.
I don’t really have a favorite version, but it may be the NKJV. I like to have several versions available, though. Sometimes the change of one little word will not so much change the meaning of a passage, as open it up in new ways and give better understanding.
Of course, you have to be careful with this, sometimes changing words DOES change the meaning, and not in a good way!
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andrewstx
Guest
What is the ESV? I have noticed it is popular amoung conservative Protestants. Does that mean it is a more literal translation?
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Izdaari
Guest
It is a pretty literal translation, a little less so than the hyper-literal NASB (that Greek students sometimes use to cheat) (not to be confused with the Catholic NAB) because it compromises a little in favor of elegant and readable modern English, and also pays attention to how it sounds when read aloud. And it was done by a mostly conservative evangelical translation committee with maybe just a touch of Reformed (i.e., Calvinist) bias. I am myself more liberal than that (basically an Anglican moderate), but it’s still one of my favorite translations, mainly because it’s mostly literal but with really good English.
I should also mention it’s the latest member of the RSV family, with the RSV and NRSV being its predecessors. The ESV was essentially an evangelical reaction to considering the NRSV too liberal. I like 'em both, and the old RSV too.
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Emerite
Guest
Sorry. I was too quick to respond to this poll about “non Catholics and Bible reading.” I am looking forward to my first Bible study class, by Jeff Cavins, from Genesis to the Resurrection. The Bible is even more relevant to me and my husband, since our 2012 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Pray for our fellow Christians in the Holy Land during these trying days in Syria, and for world peace.
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Church_Militant
Guest
Most definitely!
I’m hoping to see a bit more from our n-C friends on this because it’s something all of us have in common and helps us begin some dialog on Sacred Scripture.
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Zenas
Guest
I have read the Bible through one time.
I read approximately five chapters per week and this includes preparation for Sunday School, which I teach.
My “default version” is the New American Standard because of its literal accuracy. I also own at least one copy of the King James Version, English Standard Version, New American Bible and Revised Standard Version. When I am curious about what other versions say, I go on line to biblegateway.com.
I can quote quite a few verses but I don’t make any systematic effort to memorize them.
I have read the Deuterocanonical books out of the NAB.
The Bible is an amazing collection. It has to be divinely inspired, otherwise it would not spin such a seamless web of theological truth coming through so many writers. I don’t believe it would be humanly possible to do this, even by accident.
I read approximately five chapters per week and this includes preparation for Sunday School, which I teach.
My “default version” is the New American Standard because of its literal accuracy. I also own at least one copy of the King James Version, English Standard Version, New American Bible and Revised Standard Version. When I am curious about what other versions say, I go on line to biblegateway.com.
I can quote quite a few verses but I don’t make any systematic effort to memorize them.
I have read the Deuterocanonical books out of the NAB.
The Bible is an amazing collection. It has to be divinely inspired, otherwise it would not spin such a seamless web of theological truth coming through so many writers. I don’t believe it would be humanly possible to do this, even by accident.
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BeProfOSX
Guest
It’s also worth noting that the ESV, as standing in the tradition of the KJV and RSV, leans more towards the Majority Text rather than the Critical Text.It is a pretty literal translation, a little less so than the hyper-literal NASB (that Greek students sometimes use to cheat) (not to be confused with the Catholic NAB) because it compromises a little in favor of elegant and readable modern English, and also pays attention to how it sounds when read aloud. And it was done by a mostly conservative evangelical translation committee with maybe just a touch of Reformed (i.e., Calvinist) bias. I am myself more liberal than that (basically an Anglican moderate), but it’s still one of my favorite translations, mainly because it’s mostly literal but with really good English.
I should also mention it’s the latest member of the RSV family, with the RSV and NRSV being its predecessors. The ESV was essentially an evangelical reaction to considering the NRSV too liberal. I like 'em both, and the old RSV too.
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Publisher
Guest
I read the Bible each morning…I have to be at work by 7AM…I get up at 5AM and read and center into meeting…it makes my day better
I started reading the Bible when I was 12 years old…didn’t read it thru the first time until I was 16…my mom gave me a KJV with “Read the Bible thru in a year” table…I’ve read it thru maybe 3-4 times.
I own many different translations…my preferred is the RSV Oxford Study Bible Expanded Edition…formerly called “The Common Bible” in the 70’s…it has those books most Protestants do not consider “scripture” but Catholics do…it has those books that the Orthodox consider scripture…but Catholics do not.
I have read the apocrypha/dueterocanicals…except for Wisdom I don’t find them particularly inspiring…Tobit is a bit of a stretch for me to consider as scripture.
I have the ESV, DR, NIV, Amplified Bible, JST, Moffat Translation, JB Philips, New World Translation, NRSV, NASB, Interlinear Greek Translation of the NT(NIV), Holy Scriptures (Jewish Publication Society), Greek New Testament, New Living Translation, Living Bible from my youth, Pre-Nicene New Testament, Gnostic Bible, The Other BIble, Apocryphal New Testament, Lost Books of the Bible, Hidden Books of Eden…and several more I can’t remember off the top of my head.
I usually take a NT to Meeting in case I am led to read a passage or I need to reference a passage that comes to my mind.
I started reading the Bible when I was 12 years old…didn’t read it thru the first time until I was 16…my mom gave me a KJV with “Read the Bible thru in a year” table…I’ve read it thru maybe 3-4 times.
I own many different translations…my preferred is the RSV Oxford Study Bible Expanded Edition…formerly called “The Common Bible” in the 70’s…it has those books most Protestants do not consider “scripture” but Catholics do…it has those books that the Orthodox consider scripture…but Catholics do not.
I have read the apocrypha/dueterocanicals…except for Wisdom I don’t find them particularly inspiring…Tobit is a bit of a stretch for me to consider as scripture.
I have the ESV, DR, NIV, Amplified Bible, JST, Moffat Translation, JB Philips, New World Translation, NRSV, NASB, Interlinear Greek Translation of the NT(NIV), Holy Scriptures (Jewish Publication Society), Greek New Testament, New Living Translation, Living Bible from my youth, Pre-Nicene New Testament, Gnostic Bible, The Other BIble, Apocryphal New Testament, Lost Books of the Bible, Hidden Books of Eden…and several more I can’t remember off the top of my head.
I usually take a NT to Meeting in case I am led to read a passage or I need to reference a passage that comes to my mind.
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Brandon_Cal
Guest
I have read the Bible cover-to-cover four, maybe five times and I continue to read it every night. I own more Bible translations than I can count, despite the fact the the “official” version for my church is the KJV (which I’m not at all fond of). My favorite to read is actually the RSV. I’ve read the Catholic Deuterocanonicals (and I’m currently sifting through the Orthodox Septuagint). I’ve memorized dozens upon dozens of verses. We Mormons are big on proof-texting, though I now know that such is quite the academically shallow way to learn what the scriptures really say.
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