So many Bibles!!! How do I choose?

On Monday Brandon and I were asked a great question - which Bible should I buy? If you don't yet own a Bible, or if you've had trouble understanding the one you currently own, you definitely want to invest in a good translation. Brandon and I have both owned many different Bibles, and we have a couple of suggestions for you to consider.

My personal favorite translations are the New International Version (NIV), New American Standard Bible (NASB) or the English Standard Version (ESV). Many churches use the NIV as their standard, so it may sound the most familiar to you've spent some time in church. All three are written in a language that you should have little trouble understanding. I choose to avoid the King James Version (KJV) and New King James Version (NKJV) because they are written in old English and more difficult to understand. Also, lots of new manuscripts have been discovered since the KJV was originally translated, so newer versions of the Bible are actually based on older historical texts, and therefore likely more accurate. This website goes into a little more detail on that issue.

Another option if you want something really easy to read is The Message, which is a very modernized, paraphrase version of the Bible, but I don't recommend it for a serious study of the Bible, because it intentionally removes a lot of the cultural context to make it more relevant to modern readers. If you want to read The Message for casual devotional time, you should own another version for your Bible Study time.

So you've picked a translation, but you're still not done! There are literally hundreds of different "kinds" of Bibles out there - Bibles for kids, teens, young adults, women, men, gardeners, students - these Bibles all have the same books, chapters and verses, what differs is all of the "extra" stuff. For example, I own a "Prayer Devotional Bible." Every few pages there is a devotional - a little story or message to go along with some story in the Bible. The emphasis is on prayer. I really would NOT recommend any sort of "devotional" Bible. By focusing on one thing like Prayer, it can distract from other important themes.

Brandon owns a NASB Study Bible, and loves it. At the bottom of every page are lots of footnotes and helpful references, but there is no special theme. It is not geared towards students, men, women, etc...it is helpful for anyone wanting to study the Bible. It also has maps to help you visualize the different places that Bible stories take place, and some other helpful special features.

Another option is to buy a Bible with NO special features, and to rely on websites like BibleGateway.com or purchase a commentary or "guide" to the Bible, which helps explain the cultural context and deeper meanings behind many Bible stories. I use the Zondervan Handbook to the Bible. Brandon likes Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible.

Whatever Bible you choose, and whichever tools or references you use to help you study it, remember that it is always a good idea to get your information from a variety of places. Read your Bible yourself and pray that God would help you to understand. Look at a commentary or on the internet for an explanation. Go to church and hear what your Pastor has to say about it. And come to Bible Study to discuss it! Everyone has a different perspective, and when we open our hearts, the Holy Spirit can use all sorts of resources to speak to us and teach us more about the Kingdom of God.

Shalom,
Tanya