My grandfather was a true genius. He attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in the early 1900s. He could read Latin and Greek but not Aramaic.
I recall his telling Daddy once that the KJV was a very accurate translation. Maybe the “Good News Bible” is more accurate but not sure.
“Maybe the “Good News Bible” is more accurate but not sure.”
A friend of mine, Bob Bratcher, who passed away a few years ago was one of the key interpreters who translated the “Good News Bible.” Bob’s focus was to create a translation that could easily be understood by less educated people.
Just as Luther’s reason for translating the Bible into German from Latin was to empower more individual’s to read the Bible themselves and interpret it on their own. After all, it was clear that the church authorities interpretation was fallible.
Eric Erikson, in his book “The Psychoanalysis of Martin Luther,” quoted Anna Freud (Sigmund’s daughter) as saying “The period of reformation was the period of the beginning of the glorification of the ego of common man.” That is a very true statement.
God likes a flat organizational structure where everyone has a direct connection to the Boss, and not a hierarchy on earth. The Bible is a tool to guide each individual on their own journey. In order to grow spiritually closer to God, you must first be FREE. Freedom is critical as if you have surrendered your individual authority to another human being or the government, it is not available for you to surrender to God.
A Bible that you can read in any language and relate to is the first step toward self empowerment and freedom.