Gary Shogren's Blog
I grew up with the King James Version, regularly use it and the New King James among others, and often teach and preach from the Reina Valera Revisada, all of which are based on the so-called Textus receptus. And I love and use them all; see my, “Me, a Hater of the Kdeiting James Version?... Continue Reading →
A few words from the heart about Bible versions in English, mixed with lists, parables, and personal anecdotes! Offered as proof that we might want to CALL A MORATORIUM on new Bible translations in English. One, the Parable of the Banquet. You and your family gather for a huge feast, perhaps American Thanksgiving. They wheel... Continue Reading →
There are hundreds of Bible versions in English. To express myself bluntly, that is hundreds too many, and we are pouring time and energy and resources into new versions that are not needed. I exclude the regular updating of the versions that already exist - and my friends on the NIV committee tell me are... Continue Reading →
There are way too many English Bible translations and way too many people claiming - as in this case - to have the very best guide to its interpretation. These are the stars that I sail by when I evaluate a Bible version or guide. Fortunately, one new publication, The Pure Word – New Testament... Continue Reading →
Bill Mounce is one of the evangelical experts in koine Greek, the dialect of the New Testament. He is also one of the translators of the New International Version. The other day he published this short article, which I found particularly useful. He shows that the work of translation is far more complex than translating... Continue Reading →
Have you seen the memes that go like this? A pastor friend just mentioned something that I had also wondered, that the figure 365 seemed high! So I ran it through my Bible software, and within a few minutes found that the number indeed was way, way off.[1] “Fear not” is a Kings-James-ism; the NET and... Continue Reading →
UPDATE! This was a one night special showing, but I am told it will be out as a video. You can sign up here to get the announcement when it is due out. I am extraordinarily excited about a new documentary on the manuscripts of the New Testament. This is a topic I teach on,... Continue Reading →
When I first saw the title of the epic novel Cien Años de Soledad by Gabriel García Márquez, and got that it meant “one hundred years of solitude,” my heart leapt in anticipation. But 500 pages later, I finally grasped that the protagonists of the story didn’t get their promised seclusion; the title seems to... Continue Reading →
There are Christians who are King James people because they prefer the wonderful language and cadence of the KJV, or who believe (with little evidence, but no matter for now) that it best represents the original Greek text. Overall, with these brothers and sisters, I have no serious quarrel. But when someone condemns my non-KJV... Continue Reading →
It is the narrative in a few remote corners of Christendom that only the Textus receptus reflects the original text of the New Testament. Some would add a second chapter, that newer critical editions – which, in fact, are based on almost 6000 manuscripts, let alone ancient versions and church fathers – are part of... Continue Reading →
Open Our Eyes, Lord! 