I just came across the NLT Blog through a comment left by Keith Williams (a Bible editor at Tyndale) on my last post. It looks like a great blog and after perusing it I thought that I’d post about my former NLT devotional time. Regular readers of this blog know that my primary Bible is the KJV (although I rarely quote from it on the blog), but what you may not know is that I love the NLT. Here’s why:
I have a NLT New Testament with Psalms & Proverbs. It’s just a simple little paperback (pictured here third down from the top), but this Bible has been such a blessing. For three months straight I would wake up, grab my NLT and read exactly five psalms and one proverb. Doing this allowed me to read through both books once a month, and during those three months of devotional reading I fell in love with the NLT as a translation, and saw great advancements in my relationship with God. Unfortunately, I have since stopped my devotional reading and trust me, I can feel the effects of it.
But even though I love the NLT as a translation, I’ve never been able to adopt it as my primary text, mainly because we read from the KJV in my church. However, there have been times when I’ve taught Bible study and brought my Parallel Bible and read from the KJV and then the NLT for clarification. I’m a fan of any translation that makes things plain without sacrificing what the underlying text is actually trying to convey. I believe that the NLT definitely fits this mold. Coming across the NLT blog has inspired me to get back in the habit, so thanks for stopping by Keith!
B”H
Thank you, Nick. I’ve been reading your blog for several months now as a lurker, but now that I’m on a blog I should be commenting from time to time.
I think the way you use the NLT is great. People use it in different ways, but so long as it is helping people to read and understand God’s Word, then it is doing what it is meant to do. Thanks for the encouragement!
By: Keith Williams on July 14, 2008
at 10:32 pm
Keith: Glad to have you commenting!
I hope to read a lot more about this upcoming NLT Study Bible on your blog. I’m sure you’re familiar with the ESV Study Bible that everyone’s been talking about — How do you think the NTL matches up?
By: Nick Norelli on July 14, 2008
at 10:51 pm
Well, I’ve only seen what anyone else has seen of the ESV Study Bible, but from what I’ve seen I think the NLT Study Bible matches up quite well.
I’m somewhat biased, since for about 2.5 years practically my entire job was to read every word of the NLT Study Bible and help make it the best it could possibly be, but I think it is really good. You can check out Genesis for yourself at the NLT Study Bible site, and some other pieces are being highlighted on the general editor’s blog. If pressed, I’d say the main difference in the material between what I know of the ESVSB and the NLTSB is that the ESVSB tends to have a more theological grid, whereas the NLTSB has a more biblical studies grid. I don’t know if that is a helpful distinction, though.
By: Keith Williams on July 14, 2008
at 11:06 pm
Keith: It is a helpful distinction. Thanks!
By: Nick Norelli on July 15, 2008
at 1:13 am
[...] New NLT Study Bible I posted on the forthcoming ESV Study Bible a while back but today I just discoverd an NLT Study Bible is forthcoming as well and it looks really great! It is due out September 15, [...]
By: The New NLT Study Bible « συνεσταυρωμαι: living the crucified life on July 15, 2008
at 1:21 am
Is the NLT New Testament with Psalms & Proverbs still available anywhere in the US?
By: Scripture Zealot on July 15, 2008
at 2:02 pm
Jeff: Sure. You can get a brand new copy for 25¢ plus S&H.
New Testament With Psalms and Proverbs
By: Nick Norelli on July 15, 2008
at 3:13 pm
Thanks. No wonder I couldn’t find it. It doesn’t say NLT anywhere.
Jeff
By: Scripture Zealot on July 15, 2008
at 3:22 pm
It is also available in the NLT second edition, but not for a quarter.
By: Keith Williams on July 15, 2008
at 3:37 pm
[...] is better to go with whatever your local church is using, sort of like Nick was mentioning in his post about his experience with the [...]
By: on Translations « συνεσταυρωμαι: living the crucified life on July 15, 2008
at 7:23 pm
Thank you Keith. Do you happen to know what font size is used for this?
Jeff
By: Scripture Zealot on July 16, 2008
at 2:26 pm
I’m sticking to my first edition NLT Catholic Bible for the more readable Apocrypha, thanks.
Nevertheless, the NLTSB looks very nice, if the font is readable.
All this trend toward increased use of graphics in study bibles makes me wonder what the 2010 NET might look like, since that’s my main bible. Also whether I’ll need a wheel barrow to carry it.
By: Chuck Grantham on July 16, 2008
at 2:48 pm
Chuck: I’d love a NLT with ‘apocrypha.’ And yeah, the NLTSB does look good. In my opinion it looks better than the ESVSB. Time will tell if I request review copies of either (although we both know that I probably will).
What kind of graphics would a NET include? Facsimiles of MSS?
By: Nick Norelli on July 16, 2008
at 3:08 pm
There are still easily obtainable NLTFE with the Catholic deuterocanonicals available, though as far as I know good catholics are not yet allowed to really trust that translation (no imprimatur, or nihil obstat).
Graphics for a new NET would likely include more charts and timelines. As for Facsimiles of manuscripts: DON’T GIVE DAN WALLACE IDEAS!!!
Probably Dan is contemplating that for the NET Triglot. ;-)
By: Chuck Grantham on July 16, 2008
at 3:24 pm
Chuck: I’m sure there are, but the thought of purchasing another Bible at this point in my life is a hard one to swallow. But if perchance someone were to float me a free one… ;)
And I didn’t know that the NET had charts and timelines in it. I do not own a copy of it in any edition.
By: Nick Norelli on July 16, 2008
at 6:39 pm
Nick: Tsk tsk.
The NET currently has no charts and timelines, though excellent satellite maps. But I would be surprised if charts and timelines aren’t under consideration for future versions.
By: Chuck Grantham on July 16, 2008
at 6:43 pm
Chuck: I think if ever I were persuaded to purchase another Bible it would be a copy of your beloved NET-NA27 Diglot. Past that, I don’t think I’d get a NET, not even a future mapped out version with MSS facsimles and Dan Wallace finger-paintings.
By: Nick Norelli on July 16, 2008
at 6:51 pm
With the NET’s focus on translational issues I’d think they would go more in the direction of the NET interlinear. Their website already has an excellent interlinear setup. So most of the work is done other than typesetting everything they already have. Also their NT Digot I’ve heard is excellent with more advanced translational notes than in their main text.
I don’t know of anyone who has a unified OT/NT interlinear other than Jay Green’s and well that one ain’t very good. That would be my hope with the NET.
_______
In terms of NLTSB vs. ESVSB I’ve seen some more materials and yes their study notes have a MacArthur / Reformation SB feel to them. I don’t own the MacArthur but I checked the Reformed and they aren’t identical so it wasn’t just a licensing deal. It surprised me they were not more like the NIV/TNIV notes since the TNIV is the bible they are attacking. The notes they have are going to put them in direct competition with their strong supporters. It makes no sense from a marketing perspective for Crossway to do this.
I don’t know the bible industry so my analysis might be incorrect on this point.
So pretty much:
ESV — worse translation, less features, nice use of color graphics
NLTSV — better notes, way more features (seems AFAIKT to have taken the lead from Zondervan)
By: CD-Host on July 16, 2008
at 11:08 pm
CD: I’m afraid to see what a NET interlinear would look like or how thick it would be! The be honest, I have one interlinear (the KIT produced by the Jehovah’s Witnesses) that I never use. I find it easier to work with a diglot.
And thanks for your observations. I haven’t looked too deeply into the ESVSB yet, but I don’t doubt that the notes have a heavy Calvinist bent to them. Your point about alienating their audience is an interesting one, but in the end I don’t think it will hurt sales. ESV Devotees are going to buy it up sigh unseen.
I much prefer the NLT as a translation but I can’t really comment on the notes yet. I’m hoping to be able to get review copies of each to do a comparative review some time next year. We’ll see what happens.
By: Nick Norelli on July 16, 2008
at 11:41 pm
i’m really impressed that your church still uses the kjv… just… impressed
that said. I really like the NLT for its readability when you’re going for a big chunk of text you want to understand…
for regular life tho…. i’m still an esv dude
By: Roger Mugs on July 17, 2008
at 2:21 am
Roger: Yeah, most independant Pentecostal churches that I know of use the KJV, which is cool since it actually sounds the best when read aloud. And I like the ESV, but I don’t own a copy (although my mother does). I couldn’t see that replacing my trusty KJV though.
By: Nick Norelli on July 17, 2008
at 11:13 am
which is why ESV onlyism probably won’t really take hold… (except perhaps in reformed circles).
By: Brian on July 17, 2008
at 11:20 am
Brian: Touché! ;)
By: Nick Norelli on July 17, 2008
at 1:15 pm
[...] Genesis 1:26 in the NLTSB & ESVSB A couple of months back I asked Keith Williams how he thought the ESV Study Bible matched up to the NLT Study Bible. At the time he had only seen the NLTSB in full but he offered an answer based on what he knew at the time. He said: [...]
By: Genesis 1:26 in the NLTSB & ESVSB « Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth on October 11, 2008
at 11:37 pm