Which Bible Version is Best for Catholic Evangelization?

[Tartini]

In my experiences, I often have to deal with those who insist on using the KJV (or some other questionable text) but have no realization of the meaning of the words, or the use of the language or history of his time. I am aware of certain historical aspects of the version that would shock the other person if I were to inform them, and it seems that would not be the purpose of the task.

I prefer to use the Latin Vulgate (Douay-Rheims & Clementina Vulgata, side by side English-Latin), as well as Greek and Hebrew resources, but often lose (or frighten them) in this approach. I try to remain within some level of intelligence that is central to their understanding, but am often fabbergasted as to how much they do not realize, and this makes any progress impossible ( unless I want to end up teaching them in a series of tutoring sessions).

I don’t want the discussion to end up a linguistics or Church history lesson and provide ample research materials as to that field of study, if they are so inclined. I can only direct them, not give them instant answers, and often have to deal with the impossible barrier of their erronous learning.

What would be the best Catholic Bible to use that would cover all the aspects and give good Catholic references ( much like a study Bible along with good resource material) and would not be more “protestant friendly”, if that is possible.

I have learned that one can often lose the interest, or at the worst, any hope of real education to someone if they offer too much information at one time. I find it better to persuade rather than to convince, but not overwhelm . A good evangelist must take into account their audience and can often be more successful by using fewer words, than grand ones.

St. Francis said: Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words.

Thanks for any help!

 

[msugeotech]

I have been told, by priests as well as forum members here, that the RSV-CE 2nd edition is the best translation. I ordered one the other day, should be here any day now! At our local private Baptist college here, students are required to take Old and New Testament courses, and the Bible used in class is the RSV (not the CE edition). It has the…ahem…Apocrypha.

 

[Holly3278]

The RSV-CE is a good Bible version to use because even Protestants use the RSV.

 

[DonLeon]

In my experiences, I often have to deal with those who insist on using the KJV (or some other questionable text) but have no realization of the meaning of the words, or the use of the language or history of his time. I am aware of certain historical aspects of the version that would shock the other person if I were to inform them, and it seems that would not be the purpose of the task.

I prefer to use the Latin Vulgate (Douay-Rheims & Clementina Vulgata, side by side English-Latin), as well as Greek and Hebrew resources, but often lose (or frighten them) in this approach. I try to remain within some level of intelligence that is central to their understanding, but am often fabbergasted as to how much they do not realize, and this makes any progress impossible ( unless I want to end up teaching them in a series of tutoring sessions).

I don’t want the discussion to end up a linguistics or Church history lesson and provide ample research materials as to that field of study, if they are so inclined. I can only direct them, not give them instant answers, and often have to deal with the impossible barrier of their erronous learning.

What would be the best Catholic Bible to use that would cover all the aspects and give good Catholic references ( much like a study Bible along with good resource material) and would not be more “protestant friendly”, if that is possible.

I have learned that one can often lose the interest, or at the worst, any hope of real education to someone if they offer too much information at one time. I find it better to persuade rather than to convince, but not overwhelm . A good evangelist must take into account their audience and can often be more successful by using fewer words, than grand ones.

St. Francis said: Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words.

Thanks for any help!

I use The Good News Bible published by The American Bible Society. There are two authorized versions, Protestant and Catholic. A great many protestants use this bible. The difference between the two are the books rejected by protestants, but the wording is the same.

PAX DOMINI

Shalom Aleichem

 

[DebChris]

I would use the RSV. You do not want to use Douay-Rheims. Like the KJV, the language is archaic and not that well understood.

Also pick up Patrick Madrid’s Where is That in the Bible? That way you can address the most common misconceptions about the Catholic Faith. His recommendation is to highlight the passages you want to emphasize. Patrick Madrid uses the RSV.
By using the RSV, you will be using a translation common to many different denominations and avoid the difference caused by semantics, by a different word used in one translation over another. As others have mentioned, do use the Catholic Edition.
For prayer, I use the NAB, the translation used for the liturgy.

 

[Shin]

You have the right Bible already. Just pray more and teach yourself to simplify. It is tutoring to have these discussions. So you try to move to the fundamentals so they can have the building blocks for understanding, correct specific errors as possible, and present the good in the good news.

 

[tobinatorstark]

In my experiences, I often have to deal with those who insist on using the KJV (or some other questionable text) but have no realization of the meaning of the words, or the use of the language or history of his time. I am aware of certain historical aspects of the version that would shock the other person if I were to inform them, and it seems that would not be the purpose of the task.

I prefer to use the Latin Vulgate (Douay-Rheims & Clementina Vulgata, side by side English-Latin), as well as Greek and Hebrew resources, but often lose (or frighten them) in this approach. I try to remain within some level of intelligence that is central to their understanding, but am often fabbergasted as to how much they do not realize, and this makes any progress impossible ( unless I want to end up teaching them in a series of tutoring sessions).

I don’t want the discussion to end up a linguistics or Church history lesson and provide ample research materials as to that field of study, if they are so inclined. I can only direct them, not give them instant answers, and often have to deal with the impossible barrier of their erronous learning.

What would be the best Catholic Bible to use that would cover all the aspects and give good Catholic references ( much like a study Bible along with good resource material) and would not be more “protestant friendly”, if that is possible.

I have learned that one can often lose the interest, or at the worst, any hope of real education to someone if they offer too much information at one time. I find it better to persuade rather than to convince, but not overwhelm . A good evangelist must take into account their audience and can often be more successful by using fewer words, than grand ones.

St. Francis said: Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words.

Thanks for any help!

If you deal with KJV-onlyist quite frequently, I would use the Douay-Rheims. It is the most accurate Bible outside the Vulgate. I would suggest nothing else other than the Douay-Rheims.

 

[tobinatorstark]

I would use the RSV. You do not want to use Douay-Rheims. Like the KJV, the language is archaic and not that well understood.

Also pick up Patrick Madrid’s Where is That in the Bible? That way you can address the most common misconceptions about the Catholic Faith. His recommendation is to highlight the passages you want to emphasize. Patrick Madrid uses the RSV.
By using the RSV, you will be using a translation common to many different denominations and avoid the difference caused by semantics, by a different word used in one translation over another. As others have mentioned, do use the Catholic Edition.
For prayer, I use the NAB, the translation used for the liturgy.

I would not say that the Douay-Rheims has archaic and not well understood. I for one understand the Douay-Rheims just fine. Whereas the NAB, I am totally lost as notes are horrible and unacceptable in my opinion. If those that are using the KJV they understand its text and need the most accurate English version to battle it. I wouldn’t use the RSV-CE or RSV-2CE either. Take Luke 1:28 for example. The RSV-CE and 2CE omit “blessed art thou amongst women” at the end of the verse.