Which Bible or Bibles, do you use?

[crazzeto]

Here is what James “Jimmy” Akin has to say about the D/R
catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=4300&CFID=37952823&CFTOKEN=94613062

By the way, do you think you could read the 1588-1609 D/R?

I don’t believe he mentioned anything I haven’t yet, the fact of the matter is all versions of the Douay bible are very literal to the vulgate. In fact I would sumbit no other bible in existance today is as literal.

But James Akin is correct, this doesn’t justify an so called “onlyist” attitude and in fact at a minimun in my studies (as I mentioned many times before) I use the Douay/NAB, many times the RSV (though mine is digital, so usually when it’s contained in study materials). I’ve used a host of other bibles for comparison purposes, particularly when having discussions here on this very forum.

I’m a great big advocate of finding the bible that works best for you because being comfortable with what you’re reading is paramount to the expereince. For me, I appreciate the language, history and accuracy of the Douay bibles over all others. For this reason it is my primary reading bible. Not my only one though

God bless,

 

[barnesms]

I use most often following three: the Louis Segond, the KJV, and the Revised English. However, I own several more.

 

[Izdaari]

As I said earlier in this thread, I use many different translations, with the ESV being the first one I reach for (yes, I know it’s evangelical but since I am too, that doesn’t bother me). If I could keep only one of my Bibles, it would be the ESV Study Bible. If I could keep just two, the second would be my pocket size (well, coat pocket) Cambridge ESV Pitt Minion.

I’ve just added a new Bible to my collection: a D-R/Challoner by St. Benedict Press. I’ll spend some time getting used to the translation, and then I’ll let you know what I think. First impression: It looks good and smells good, and the English, though somewhat archaic, seems a little less difficult than the KJV. I’m somewhat disappointed to find a glued rather than sewn binding in a genuine leather edition, but I’ll get over it.

 

[Kdesiel]

The Douey Rheims; Louis Segnod; King James 1611 Edition.
I have a few others but I find the Douey Rheims to be my favorite…I know shocking!

 

[Jimmy_B]

Which Bible has he most accurate translation? And, which Protestant Bible is closet to a Catholic Bible?

 

[Zooey]

I grew up with the Douay-Rheims Confraternity (which I believe is based upon the ‘Bishop Challoner’ version Crazzeto mentions). I had two copies of DR until last year but hardly ever actually referred to them. Most of my Bibles were boxed up or sold when I left the States.

My favorites were the Jerusalem Bible and the English Standard Version Bible for reading, but I switched off a lot with the RSV-CE, the NAB and others. In fact I was never very consistent .

I purchased the Orthodox Study Bible for study purposes, and it is the only one I took to China (because of the weight of books). The OSB translation is based upon the Alfred Rahlfs Greek Septuagint and the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament. It actually uses the NKJV for the basic English translation whenever the Masoretic based text agrees with the Septuagint and is corrected where necessary.

After years of using the DR & the RSV-CE as my main Bibles (I have a smallish mountain of Bibles!), I now have the OSB, and I LOVE it. The NKJV was one of my favorites, I wished (on CAF) that I could find one with all the books, and another poster (& friend) recommended the OSB. It is a:thumbsup: wonderful Bible…

 

[Zooey]

Which Bible has he most accurate translation? And, which Protestant Bible is closet to a Catholic Bible?

Probably the RSV or NRSV is closest to a Catholic Bible since you all have versions of those, too.
Happily, the whole RSV/RSV-CE/NRSV family is, according to my pastor, the closest to the Greek & Hebrew. Assuming he is right, we all have access to a very accurate translation that we can read in common.

 

[Libertarian_FL]

New Living Translation [NLT] my fundamental theology focuses on the common man or woman reading the Bible and then letting the Holy Spirit be the teacher and not anyone else. So a Bible that is in common and everyday language and well translated so the intent of the writers is kept is a fine option. And consider this the ideal Bible with translations in many modern languages but am not a brand hog any good translation with modern language used and that the believer wants to use is fine if they like it.

 

[MoreCoffee]

… my fundamental theology focuses on the common man or woman reading the Bible and then letting the Holy Spirit be the teacher and not anyone else…
Amen! But then you’ll be listening to the Church since it is the Catholic Church that is teaching under the authority of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Everything else is opinion - good or not so good - devised by people.

 

[Esdra]

Hi,

I also own in the mean time a lot of Bibles:

Let’s start with the English Bibles: NRSV:CE and NRSV (lately I found out that the **NASB **is great! - But I don’t own it. - Normally I use it when I write something in the Internet [like here in the CAF])

German Bibles:
I normally use the Luther Bible (a Catholic Edition and one without Apokrypha) 1984. Also when I attend service (as a pew-bible, sort of).
I also have the Good News Bible in German (“Gute Nachricht Bibel” - in this case also the Catholic Edition)
and I have two NTs - one is a revised Elberfelder bible and one is called Hope For All (“Hoffnung für alle”)

When I was reborn I mainly used the “Einheitsübersetzung” (EÜ). My first Bible I bought myself was the Luther Bible, Catholic Edition. - My sister got the EÜ as a present when she became confirmed. But she has never been interested in Religion and so I took it.

My very **favorite **German Bible is the **Luther Bible 1984 **(the one without apokrypha) - I also use it most often. My favorite English Bible is in the meantime the NASB. Maybe I will buy it. Although the **NRSV **is also not bad (I mainly bought it [US Import! ] because of 1 and 2 Esdras and 3 + 4 Maccabees. I was mainly interested in these, orthodox, books. )

Furthermore I have “dozens” Catholic Bibles, but they belong to my dad, because he had studied Catholic Theology - but did never finish! - I don’t know what versions these are (one is, i.e., a New Jerusalem Bible “Neue Jerusalemer Bibel”]) - But I rarely use them!

Esdra

 

[Libertarian_FL]

Amen! But then you’ll be listening to the Church since it is the Catholic Church that is teaching under the authority of Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Everything else is opinion - good or not so good - devised by people.

That is not the topic its the Bibles we use and why. I suggest instead of we arguing here you should investigate Christian Anarchism and then start a thread if you have issues to talk about. I’ll be there.

 

[MoreCoffee]

That is not the topic its the Bibles we use and why. I suggest instead of we arguing here you should investigate Christian Anarchism and then start a thread if you have issues to talk about. I’ll be there.

If you are worried about straying from the topic of this thread then you should stop introducing extraneous matters into it. I have no intention of investigating “christian anarchism”.

 

[Jonny_Pollock]

New Living Translation [NLT] my fundamental theology focuses on the common man or woman reading the Bible and then letting the Holy Spirit be the teacher and not anyone else. So a Bible that is in common and everyday language and well translated so the intent of the writers is kept is a fine option. And consider this the ideal Bible with translations in many modern languages but am not a brand hog any good translation with modern language used and that the believer wants to use is fine if they like it.

 

[Jonny_Pollock]

New Living Translation [NLT] my fundamental theology focuses on the common man or woman reading the Bible and then letting the Holy Spirit be the teacher and not anyone else. So a Bible that is in common and everyday language and well translated so the intent of the writers is kept is a fine option. And consider this the ideal Bible with translations in many modern languages but am not a brand hog any good translation with modern language used and that the believer wants to use is fine if they like it.

Hey L:

I don’t recommend using a loose translation of the Bible for in-depth Scripture meditation. The NLT is actually a hybrid between the paraphrase “Living Bible” and the critical editions of the Hebrew and Greek. What results is an interpretive translation that deviates from the original.

Here is one example from Romans 13:1, “Let every soul be subject to the higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God.” (Douay-Rheims, Challoner edition, a literal translation of the Latin Vulgate.)

Here is the same verse in the NLT: “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” (This may slightly vary in your copy of NLT, as there are at least two different mutations that bear the same name.)

The NLT translation distorts the Scripture with interpretive translation, and one could read it as demanding absolute obedience to the government to the detriment to one’s own conscience! There is a big difference to being “subject to” something and you “must submit.” I personally recommend the Douay-Rheims because it is an accurate translation of the historical Latin Vulgate Bible, which is a compilation of original translations of the ancient dialects into Latin by native speakers, and refined in comparison to ancient copies in the original languages no longer in existence.

Also very similar to the DR are literal english translations of the Scriptures from the critical editions of the Greek and Hebrew (which are the textual basis for the majority of modern translations.) The RSV is the most accurate, literal translation of the critical editions that is accepted by Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches.

Keep praying and reading your Bible! These give the Holy Spirit a doorway of light, that, when we obey him, he converts the soul to higher justice!

Peace in Christ,

Jonny Pollock

 

[Jimmy_B]

Wow… a lot of versions of the Bible. Why not just one version? I know partially, the reason why there exists so many variations…but seriously, why not one Bible?

 

[Esdra]

Wow… a lot of versions of the Bible. Why not just one version? I know partially, the reason why there exists so many variations…but seriously, why not one Bible?

Why should there be only one bible? In every bible it says the same, doesn’t it?

Which one would you suggest? Should we all learn Latin and use the Vulgate? Or should we best of all, all learn Hebrew, Aramaic and Ancient Greek to read the Bible in its original languages?

Do you think it is bad that everyone can read the Bible in his own language? Or would you prefer it like it is in the Islam, that the quran only has to be read in arabic which not many muslims can understand?

Esdra

 

[Priscilla_Ann]

I read from a number of translations: NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV. The NIV is the easiest to read; however, I believe the NASB is probably the most accurate of those four.

 

[Jimmy_B]

Which Bible or Bibles, do you use? And, how did you decide, which Bible it was that you were going to use?

 

[JRRTFAN]

Hi JimmyB,

I like - RSV CATHOLIC EDITION BIBLE - LARGE PRINT
Many Bible scholars consider this translation to be the best rendering of Scripture into modern English. This edition combines all of the features you have come to love in the compact and standard editions with extra large print that eases eyestrain. Includes the complete Lectionary for all three cycles, and helpful explanatory notes. And a section in the back after the Appendix has a section of some Prayers and Devotions of the Catholic Faith.
The edition contains 2372 pages plus historical and topographical maps. Measures 7" x 9 1/2" x 2".
Check out prices in various locations. I just bought a few today for relatives birthday gifts and used the EWTN catalogue on the internet.

I bought one of those last year before my cataract surgery in February, for the simple reason I couldn’t see! I like it a lot but the pages are too thin to flip easily and that baby weighs a TON!

 

[JRRTFAN]

Cool,thanks for the information. I do not own an ESV translation,but I hear good reviews.

I’ll check out Amazon.com

It’s a revision of the RSV.