Usually on this site I spend time writing about the grace of God and who we are in Christ. Occasionally I write something on leadership, administration or technology. However, today I wanted to take a few minutes and talk about the English Standard Version of the Bible today. I don’t know how often this shines through on jasonmayfield.com, but if you’re physically around me very often you will find out that Bible versions are a never-ending thought for me. Now, don’t get me wrong… I’m not some bizarre King James Version Only wacko walking around talking about something I’m too short-sighted to understand. No, I just want to make sure I’m using a good reliable Bible.
I tend to lean towards Bibles with a Literal Translation (also called word-for-word). I don’t mind dynamic-equivilance (i.e. NIV) and paraphrased (i.e. Message), but I don’t want to be too influenced by a modern-translator’s interpretation. So, Literal Translation works best for me.
I have been using the NASB for a while… I love the NASB. It’s the most literal translation available. Not far behind, through, is the ESV.
I’ve been using the ESV for several months now and I have not completed a full pass through the ESV Bible, but I wanted to share some thoughts – both pros and cons – of this version.
Let’s start with the bad.
Italics.
Usually literal translations use a method to notify the reader when they needed to add a word to the original language. The words are added to try to make the passage more comprehensive. This method is simple… they put the word in italics. It’s a simple process, but the ESV doesn’t do this. Now, usually the words are simple like is, are, the, or, and, when… simple non-earth-shatering words. But, it’s nice to have them… and frankly it’s important to me.
Deity Pronouns.
Most modern translation capitalize pronouns that refer to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. While it is modern in its practice and not found in the original language, it’s still helpful. I do like the capitalization of deity pronouns… (but I hate all capitalization of HIS pronouns… your Facebook and Twitter followers do not want to yell HIS NAME at them… but I digress)
Calvinist Agenda.
I can get down with gospel-centric theology… I am extremely gospel-central. However, some of the reformed community thinks that Calvinism is core to the gospel… John Calvin is not Paul.
Unfortunately, Crossway (maker of the ESV) pushes the Calvinist agenda more than I care for… but I haven’t seen that in the ESV itself. However, if I do… I will be posting it here promptly.
Also, Crossway is the biggest redeeming quality for the ESV, which I will explain now…
The redeeming qualities.
Tons of Bible options.
Crossway has made so many Bible options available. You can find Bible for $1 and for $200… every prince in-between too. Some of my favorite options are listed below. Not only do they have great price options, but different sizes and even a few unique options. Some of Crossway’s cheaper Bible are still nicer quality than some higher priced Bibles offered by Zondervan or Thomas Nelson.
You might wonder why all these options are important… I’m glad you asked…
Reason One – We live in a consumer society. People want cool stuff… even Bibles. Crossway, by far, makes the coolest Bibles out there. Everyone else is Wal-Mart, and Crossway is Nordstrom. If you can turn your people onto a nice Bible, they might want to read it more. I started trying the ESV due to the way it looks. Foundation Publications made my NASB… and it was ugly. (Sorry guys… get with the design stuff!)
Reason Two – If you want to have an Official Church Bible then Crossway having so many options (especially in price) can facilitate that quite nicely. Why would you want an official Bible? Obviously, God doesn’t approve one translation over the other (that we’re aware of)… but if you are primarily an expository teacher then having everyone using the same Bible so they can follow you is a great idea. Lots of the reformed guys do this, and I think some of the Word of Faith guys should try it.
So here are some top Bible picks:
Value Thinline / Thinline (this is the one I use) / Deluxe Thinline / Fabric Covered Thinline
Journaling Bible / Many Study Bibles / Single Column (larger margin)
Classic Reference / Personal Size Reference / Deluxe Classic Reference
(note: on this list I use deluxe to indicate high quality leather.)
Mobile Apps.
I have championed YouVersion in our church, but frankly… it can be a bit overwhelming. I love YouVersion and support and commend the folks at Life Church for their advance in freely available resources for Christ followers and churches. Never-the-less… it can be a bit too much. Crossway has provided some great ESV mobile apps that do one thing really well… the ESV Bible. Not to mention, it’s a beautiful app.
The app is available for iPhone, iPad… and if anyone cares… it’s available for Android and Windows 7.
OH! And these are free.
Free Bible Website… with great, inexpensive plugins.
I use this website all the time. I usually keep esvbible.org and blueletterbible.org open during my devotion times.
esvbible.org has some really cool plugins available.
GreekTools is a steal for $15. This plugin will give you a Greek-interliner New Testament. Yes, it includes Strong’s numbers.
Two Study Bibles (MacArthur and ESV Study) are available online for $20.
The Literary Study notes are available for $10.
Great WordPress Plugin.
Even though I don’t use it… the ESV has a really cool plugin for WordPress. I don’t know if it’s from Crossway, but it’s really cool.
The plugin essentially searches your site for Bible references and turns them into links, inline text or tooltip hover-overs. (much like this site does using BLB - which I use for multiple versions – i.e. John 3:16)
No short codes or buttons to press… it just recognizes Bible references.
Wrap Up.
I think the ESV is a great Bible. I’m adjusting to the “no-italics” and lowercase deity pronouns… but I like my ESV.
Ultimately, they have an obvious love for the scriptures that they are working to share with the world. They have made the ESV one of the nicest products in the Christian Bookstore.
Great job Crossway!
(you can grab yours today in the aStore on jasonmayfield.com)