Doris,
I dont' know much about e-sward, but i use Theophilos. The KJV and some
older translations are free, and then you can purchase packages to get newer
translations as well as Bible comentaries and dictionaries. I think this
program has been mentioned on the list before, but it's good. The site is
http://www.theophilos.com
JulieMelton
visit me at
www.heart-and-music.com
Keep smiling!
>From: Chipmunks <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Electronic Church <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: READING AND RESPONDING TO DIFFERENT TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE
>Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2006 12:02:23 +0200
>
>I take it the AV is the equivalent of the KJV? Over the years since
>becoming a Christian, I have encountered many individuals who preferred the
>KJV bible and several who actually think it to be the only inspired bible
>version. My husband and I once even encountered a Bible college who had
>"Sole Scriptua, sole KJV" as the motto they wentby.
>
>Being a non-native speaker of English originally, I grew up without any
>tradition of any particular Bible version. I cannot subscribbe to any
>doctrine of the KJV being the only inspired bible translation for the
>simple fact that there are hundreds of bible translations in other
>languages besides English and I think they are as valid as any English
>translation and this very fact already prooves to methat there cannot be
>just one legitimate Bible version or translation.
>
>After devouring a good part of the Old Testament of a German bible as a
>second grader before becoming bored with the repitition of Chronicles after
>The Books of Samuel and Kings, my first encounter with the Bible as a young
>adult was actually with the KJV. I had heard that the KJV used language
>very similar to Shakespearean English, which I loved,and i originally set
>out to read the bible as literature for the beauty of its language. I first
>met the Messiah in passages from Psalms and the Prophets and in KJV
>English.
>
>When I started reading for meaning and content, I found the KJV fairly
>archaic and hard to understand.
>
>
>I started reading more modern translations. I have always enjoyed working
>with different translations and comparing them. I find this very enriching
>and the next best thing to being able to read the bible in the original
>Greek and Hebrew. the church I attended as a young Christian encouraged the
>use of multiple bible translations and I much enjoyed our weekly bible
>studies where people brought their preferred trnaslation and we took turns
>reading passages. It was enriching to compare versions at times.
>
>I did over time adopt a translation that I used the most and as Carol said,
>when I remember verses or passages, the wording is that of my preferred
>translation usually, but I maintain my interest and enjoyment of multiple
>translations.
>
>When discussing the validity of the use of modern translations in
>contemporary English over the traditional translation of the KJV, i think
>it is important to remember that the Scriptures in the original languages,
>especially the New Testament, were not written in any one particular
>literary style. the old Testament is a library of many different styles of
>literature, ranging from the beautiful poetry of the PPsalms in the Jewish
>Hymanal to the historical accounts of the Jewish Scriptures. The New
>Testament was not written in Classical lliterary Greek but in the
>colloquial Greek that Jesus contemporaries spoke, many of which were
>non-native speakers of Greek, as were the majority of the New Testament
>authors.
>
>I find the variety of translations refreshing and enriching and think it is
>most important to prayerfully consider which translation works best for the
>individual to receive God's work.
>
>Anyone intersted in studying multiple tramslations of the Bible might want
>to have a look at the free E-Sword Bible package available from
>
>www.e-sword.net
>
>While not that easily accessible, the latest version of E-Sword works well
>enough with speech to permit reading of different Bible versions.
>Unfortuantely I find that the notes and commentaries remain inaccessible to
>me. If anyone on here has found jaws scripts for E-Sword or come up with a
>way to access all the material and resources in the program, i would be
>grateful for a pointer.
>
>Cheers,
>
>Doris
>
>
>
>At 09:54 AM 7/6/2006 +0100, you wrote:
>
>>Hi there Sharon, and all,
>>
>>Hmmm! I have been thinking over the past hour or two, since seeing your
>>message . . .. (I've taken the liberty of changing the subject header
>>here because some may find that "upgrading" thought a little tackey.
>>
>>First, in full defence of the AV, I am very prepared to agree its
>>outstanding accuracy and truthfulness and the need for this in the Church.
>>I know and respect those who feel so passionately they wouldn't use
>>anything else! (I even know some on this list and I reckon they won't
>>keep quiet for too long <SMILE>!)
>>
>>For me, I grew up with the AV and learned and got to know its wording so
>>well that, if I am imprisoned or without a Bible in later years, I know
>>these are the words I will be crying out! Therefore, there is something
>>very special for me about the AV.
>>
>>However, alongside this, I do find its archaic, old English language both
>>a bit sweet and treakley and certainly it's something which I do not fully
>>understand or identify with. For example, I even find 1 Corinthians 13
>>causes me to feel I'm being called (though not drawn) to the litergy of
>>the church and not the real meaning of the passage on occasions,
>>especially when this is delivered in a large church with a lot of echo,
>>and for me there are far better, more modern, translations of that lovely
>>passage. It is for this reason that I still read the old but also more
>>modern translations and allow God to speak with me and refresh me as I do
>>so!
>>
>>Your example in Luke 7 is so right, to my mind. "Cry" and "weep" are
>>words I understand and appreciate, and even think there is a difference
>>between them, and that comment is based on my own experience. Why say
>>something more when these words are adequate!
>>
>>I don't want to say too much about individual versions, but I do keep a
>>copy of the NIV around on my BrailleNote because it sort of is the general
>>version I can keep with me. I love, love the Amplified, when I want to
>>think some more about words! There are some very refreshing things about
>>The Message Bible also. In some ways its language gets me a bit hot under
>>the collar (perhaps it's a little over the top in some of its "American
>>expression" for us Britts) but in others I find it refreshing. It seems
>>to move on a pace that cannot be conveyed to me as I read the AV. I think
>>you would like to read the Message and maybe you already have it. (The
>>Message also uses the word "cry" in that passage, by the way, Sharon.)
>>
>>Finally, here's one further thought which I want to convey and it's meant
>>by no means to take away any of the truth and reverence of the older
>>versions of the Bible. My thinking goes something like this: "Well,
>>Jesus expresses Himself to us in ways we can understand. He meets us
>>where we are. He speaks words in the church which often are brought by
>>younger, enthusiastic ones whose language understanding and presentation
>>is more like the Message than the AV. So be it! God will still speak His
>>truth into hungry hearts! God will still make His ways known! I
>>personally don't want to examine every word etc for its accuracy either,
>>because I'm not that kind of scholar, but I do want to be blessed inside
>>as I read His word!
>>
>>Anyway, I'm off my soap box now. Have been up many hours so guess it's
>>brunchtime for me!
>>
>>--
>>Carol
>>[log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Sharon Hooley" <[log in to unmask]>
>>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>>Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 7:27 AM
>>Subject: Upgrading Versions of the bible?
>>
>>
>>>Well Julie, of course the Bible doesn't change, but our understanding of
>>>some things in the bible can change as we grow in the Lord, and maybe
>>>it's possible to "upgrade" as far as contemporary language is concerned,
>>>not to change the meaning of what the Bible says, but to speak our
>>>everyday language. Unfortunately, many of those who create a new
>>>translation tend to try to make the bible say what they want it to say,
>>>instead of what it's really saying. Personally, I want my bible to speak
>>>the language I use, not the ancient language of the KJV, as long as the
>>>modern translation is accurate. From the bible, I wish I could hear
>>>things like, "Serving God is so much fun! So cool!" But I need to
>>>remind myself that, even if I read it in an ancient language, it can be
>>>just as expressive as we are today. For example, there's the story about
>>>when Jesus approached a funeral procession. His hart went out to the
>>>widow who had just lost her son. In the KJV, we read, "Weep not." But
>>>in the NIV, (which may not be a perfectly accurate translation), we hear
>>>Him simply saying, "Don't cry." I would rather hear the latter, but
>>>maybe, just maybe, Jesus is depicted just as strongly compassionate,
>>>affectionate and comforting, in the KJV. What are your thoughts?
>>>
>>>Sharon
>>
>>
>>
>>--
>>No virus found in this incoming message.
>>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.9/382 - Release Date: 7/4/2006
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>--
>>No virus found in this incoming message.
>>Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
>>Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.9/382 - Release Date: 7/4/2006
>
>
>--
>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
>Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.9/382 - Release Date: 7/4/2006
>
|