Bible Information

The differences between translation methods have caused much disagreement between believers. Often, such disagreement results in good-natured discussion and debate. But all too often, disagreement results in mean-spirited attacks and condemnation of fellow believers.

Such an attitude is not Christ-like, and only brings out personal faults and embarrasses Christians in general. Whether one believes that dynamic equivalence, formal equivalence or paraphrases are more accurate or valuable for the Christian is a fairly insignificant issue. The Bible is the Word of God and the standard by which all ideas are to be measured; but this issue ought never come between believers.

For the most part, these different translation methods yield remarkably similar English translations. Not one foundational issue of Christian doctrine rests on one verse, and not one foundational issue relies on one or another method of translating God's Word.

The one exception is the "New World Translation Bible" [NWT]. This so-called Bible was intentionally translated incorrectly by the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Hold firm to your beliefs - but do not compromise Christ's command of love, and do not approach the issue with a closed mind. We have much to learn from one another, particularly from those who do not agree with us.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.