(25 February 2007)

From a Mormon perspective, there are many interesting and appealing renditions of New Testament passages from the modern English Bible translations and versions. I find many reasons why English speaking LDS may enjoy and profit from the reading and study of Bibles in addition to the KJV. Many renderings from non-KJV Bibles give more support for a number of LDS beliefs than does the KJV. I read and commented on a few of these passages including: John 1:1; 4:24; Mark 10:18; 1 Cor 15:49; Gal 1:15; Phil 2:12; Heb 1:1-3; 1 Pet 2:2; 5:10; 1 John 5:7-8. Among these are several of a number of passages in modern Bibles which much explicitly present man's ultimate potential. From my Mormon perspective, I much prefer modern Bibles on this concept. Also, I named my very favorite New Testament translation and gave reasons.

Email: I comment on the New Revised Standard Version in response to a question by email discussing translations by an individual and those by committees.

Email: This person prefers literal translations thinking that these are less likely to reflect the biases of the translations. I comment on the literal translations verses the dynamic equivalent approach to translation.

Email: He asks if I believe that the trinitarian view of Jesus is higher than the Mormon view that Jesus and Satan are equal. Of course his point is absurd. I discuss the trinitarian view and the fact that throughout the New Testament there is a distinction, hundreds of times, between Jesus and God and Jesus is consistently presented as subordinate to God, a point rejected by orthodox trinitarian doctrine

Phone call: He asked about evolution claiming that science disproves evolution. I agreed with him that Genesis and evolution cannot by harmonized. I argued that the book of Genesis is a book of religion, not a book of science. To accept Genesis as literal in regards to creation requires believing the chronology of creation given: the earth was created first-on the first day, life was created on the earth on the 3rd day, and later the sun, moon and stars were created. I doubt that any scientist, speaking from scientific investigations, would argue for this chronology of creation.

Email: Question about the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Hebrew Masoretic text of Old Testament books. Are there translations which make use the Dead Sea scrolls. I made some comments.

I endorsed the Barclay translation of the New Testament as my favorite. I read Hebrews 1:1-5, one of several excerpts I intended to read which I hope will suggest to some LDS the value of including modern New Testament translations in their study.

Phone call: Art Bulla continued his attack on scholarship reading a quote from Monte Nyman, a long time BYU professor.

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