Monday, July 13, 2009
posted by Keith Williams at 5:22 PM
A pastor in Tennessee has recently written a couple of posts about why he has been using the NLT in his preaching.
Here is a quote from his first post:
Here is a quote from his first post:
I've found it consistently to be exactly what it claims: "The Truth Made CLEAR." When I read the New Living Translation, I "get" it (i.e., I understand what it's saying). Time and again I've studied hard into a literal translation of a verse, and found the NLT accurately rendering the verse in simple, understandable English. That's precisely what I want as a speaker and for those who listen.And from the second:
Have you tried consistently using the NLT as your main translation for preaching? If so, what did you think? If not, why not give it a try?It is of paramount importance that the English Bible we read and learn from in our worship gatherings be accurate, clear, and understandable. These qualities have increasingly impressed me with the NLT and why I am using it lately from the pulipit.
I have used NLT for the past few weeks...I have found it to be a good clear translation.
We have been using it to teach Sunday School and Preaching and Bible Study...
Jay
I would like for Tyndale to comment on a concern I have about the NLT (I tried to post this before, so forgive me if it gets posted twice!) I enjoy my copy of the NLT and agree it is unsurpassed in terms of readability. Never have things been as clear, even better than with my worn out NIV. However, I sometimes feel that the NLT's emotive quality is artifical, something that is not really in the original texts. Do the original Hebrew and Greek texts reflect this emotion? Would they the original readers have had as easy a time reading the texts as I do the NLT? This does not take away the quality of the translation, but perhaps my uneasiness can be explained away. I really want to make the NLT my main Bible.
Angie,
I'll chime in with a Tyndale perspective.
Can you give an example of what you mean by the emotive quality in the NLT that you fear might not be in the original Hebrew and Greek texts? It will be easier to interact with specific passages or phrases.
In general, however, I think that long-time Bible readers have been lulled into thinking that the Bible is supposed to be hard to read and understand because most traditional translations are at best awkward to read and understand. My friend Wayne Leman calls it "Biblese."
Here's an example: Psalm 119:11 reads as follows in the KJV: "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." This sounds very familiar to most of us so it doesn't sound awkward. But it's not really normal English syntax. It's Hebrew syntax translated word for word into English. This comes clearer if we take it out of the biblical context and replace it with other terms (and I'll even take out the antiquated "thy and "thee"):
"Your book have I hid in my locker, that I might not sin against you."
Obviously I've changed the meaning, so don't react to that. But do you notice how stilted the first phrase suddenly sounds? There's not a high schooler in America who would speak that way. So why should we feel that it's "natural" for the Bible to be translated that way? I could give you thousands of such examples.
The NLT simply puts this familiar verse into normal English syntax: "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."
Thank you Mr. Taylor, and let me say that I didn't mean to be critical. I really enjoy my NLT. But, for example, look at Genesis
3:23. The NLT starts this verse
"At last!" the man exclaimed." The NIV starts that verse "the man said." Now, he seems emotional in the NLT, and he probably was, just like I hope my husband was when he first laid eyes on me. However, the phrase "At last" with the exclamation point seems to me to interject assumed emotion. I'm I making sense? There are other examples like this that do make the translation lively, but I somtimes feel it is artificial. This does not make it bad, but is this what is in the original Hebrew? Please don't think me rude or critical. I use and recommend the NLT and it is the only translation that I have actually read cover to cover.
OK, Genesis 2:23 (not 3:23) is a great example. The NLT's term "exclaimed" is not explicitly in the Hebrew text, but we think other translations undertranslate the meaning with "The man said, "This is now bone of my bones. . ." (NIV).
The Net Bible (which has wonderful exegetical notes) says this: "The Hebrew term הַפַּעַם (happa’am) means “the [this] time, this place,” or “now, finally, at last.” The expression conveys the futility of the man while naming the animals and finding no one who corresponded to him."
That interpretation of the Hebrew word is the basis for the NLT's translation "At last!" And then it's too bland simply to say "the man said."
Okay, I got you now. This is how the original hebrew readers would have understood this, right? Adam was happy, even emotional when he first saw Eve....it would make sense. This is the crux of what I want to make sure when I read the NLT..that the clarity and emotive quality that I enjoy is what the original Bibles readers would have found in their texts.
Thanks for taking the time.
This post has been removed by the author.
I use the NLT more and more---I use the NLT exclusively with my youth and use it as a compliment translation alongside the KJV in my SS class.
When I preach (few times a month) I use it on the screen for congregational reading, etc. I have invested and tried to use the ESV --- I have different styles, etc. Never clicked.
The more and more I use the NLT it is just so clear.
I bought my son the NLT Study Bible (18, jock male) as he was using the Message as his main Bible.
I said the NLT reads as clear --- HE IS NO BIG READER ..BUT, HE IS READING AND USING THE BIBLE DAILY!!!
I would like some info or suggestions on how to move a church to "adopt" a standard translation like NLT---what practical ways have worked to introduce a primary translation for preaching, teaching, etc???
I really hope the Tyndale folks (Mark????) plan to update the Notetakers NLT w/second edition!!!!! Please say you are and not planning a Cambridge version to replace it????!!!!!
In my powerpoint presentations while I'm preaching, sometimes up 80% of my quotes are from the NLT.
I find it clear and quite user-friendly, for lack of a better expression.
Here's a link to my response: Preaching from the NLT
I have been preaching from the NLT exclusively for the past 5 years (when we made the switch).
Can anyone at Tyndale tell me if the new slimline NLTs have the "updated" translation (featured in the NLT Study Bible).
I ask because we project the Scripture (rather than "pew" Bibles), and the software used has the "updated" translation. Regrettably, my faithful slimline does not (which has meant that I've been preaching from a VERY LARGE BIBLE for the past few months).
When will the updated translation appear in slimline NLT Bibles?
:)Max Vanderpool
Nicholasville, KY
(Generations Community Church)
Max,
The slimline Bibles have all been updated at this point, but many stores still have copies with the 2004 text, so you will need to check the copyright page to ensure you are getting the 2007 updates.
Alternatively (and this is what I would suggest), you could wait a few weeks and get one of these new editions. This edition has a much better cross reference system, including the Hebrew/Greek word studies from the NLT Study Bible. They come in black and burgundy bonded leather and some LeatherLike covers.
Tim Robinson said, "I would like some info or suggestions on how to move a church to "adopt" a standard translation like NLT---what practical ways have worked to introduce a primary translation for preaching, teaching, etc???"
In the final analysis, each church will be different. A key question is: Who makes the decision for your church as to what Bible translation is used? Does the pastor select the translation(s) he chooses to use? If so, he (or she) can simply announce, "This is what I'm going to be using as my primary translation from this point forward."
Does a committee (elders? deacons?) make the decision? That becomes more complicated, because now a group has to come to a consensus decision. But even so, I'd think the pastor plays a key role in influencing the group. "I'd like us to use the NLT (or whatever translation you're choosing) for these reasons . . . .
I hope these comments get your creative juices flowing.
I like using the NLT in public, but to preach from is tough with no wide margin edition available...hint hint. It would be awesome with smith sewn high end genuine leather or goatskin. thanks
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