New International Version Bible. (NIV) (1978) Masoretic Text, Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament (based on Westcott-Hort, Weiss and Tischendorf, 1862).

A best-selling translation widely accepted by evangelical Christians, there is none-the-less some criticism of this translation. Purpose in translation was to “produce an accurate translation, suitable for public and private reading, teaching, preaching, memorizing, and liturgical use.” Criticisms are mainly a lack of focus on Christ’s diety, but others who read it disagree with this. First published in 1978, this translation is translated from critical versions of the Masoretic Text and the Greek New Testament.

This is again a “loose” translation of the Bible in that the translator’s do not have a high value of the exact words of the original. They seek to put the Bible more modern terms, and this is value in some respects, but it is invalid in that adequate words exist in English to correctly translate from the original languages using these words, and it would appear the translators had some “bias” in using these standard completely applicable words. Also the not about Christ’s deity (and other complaints about doctrine) would place a question on whether the translator’s were good solid Christians of orthodox doctrine, and if their views have crept into their translation.

Any of the Bibles in the thought-for-thought or paraphase categories should be used with great caution, because the translators were not rigid in keeping the wording and phrasing of their translation as close to the originals as possible. We need nobody’s opinion of the Word of God as our text for study, memorizing, etc. We need the words of God as accurately and specifically loyal to the original concepts and words as possible in our language.

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The Message Bible
Translator: Euguene Petersen

The Message Bible is a modern translation Bible (2002) that uses dynamic equivalence theory. This paraphrase was translated using the rhythms and tone of contemporary English to communicate to the modern reader. First published in 2002, this translation uses the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

Even though this version is based on Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, the entire version is nothing but a paraphrase of the Bible, and its lack of respect to the language and particular words of the original texts makes it a danger to Christians rather than an aid to understanding. Great care should be used when consulting verses in this version.

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Josephus-Against Apion

by Flavius Josephus. Against Apion (lat. Contra Apionem or In Apionem) was a polemical work written by Flavius Josephus as a defense of Judaism as a classical religion and philosophy, stressing its antiquity against what he perceived as more recent traditions of the Greeks.

OFFSITE LINK: Josephus, Flavius - Against Apion Module Type: GBK TWM. Version: 1. Date Posted: 02-06-2011. Downloaded: '314' times. Description: This was a polemical work written by Flavius Josephus as a defense of Judaism as a classical religion and philosophy, stressing its antiquity against what he perceived as more recent traditions of the Greeks. How do I view a "TWM" file? What is it?

DOWNLOAD E-Sword: Flavius Josephus - “An Autobiography of Flavius Josephus”

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An historical sketch of the beginnings of the Brethren Movement

Sketch of the Brethren Movement
by Harry Ironside (1985)

This is a brief outline of the Brethren Movement. Ironside was a Brethren member.

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The New American Standard Bible (1977).
Copyright Lockman foundation. Follows Masoretic Text, Nestle-Aland Text.

A highly respected, literal, formal translation of the Bible. First published in 1971 and updated in 1995, the purpose of the work was to update the American Standard Version (ASV) into more current English. The ASV is rooted in the work that was done with the Revised Version (RV), which was a revised version of the King James Version (KJV), which was translated from the Masoretic Text and the Textus Receptus. This is the personal favorite translation of the admin of this site.

I think this is probably one of the best (most literal and non-biased) translations of the Bible in the English language.

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The Amplified Bible Version (AMP) (1965)
Amplified Bible (AMP) This Bible is a revision of the American Standard Version.

A popular translation used to understand the hidden meaning of Greek and Hebrew words. Published in 1964 (updated in 1987). This translation is a revision of the American Standard Version (ASV), which is rooted in the work that was done with the Revised Version (RV), which was a revised version of the King James Version.

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Albert - On Cleaving to God

This famous and much loved little treatise, On Cleaving to God, (De Adhaerendo Deo) has always been attributed to Saint Albert the Great, who lived from about 1200 to 1280, and was one of the most respected theologians of his time.”I have had the idea of writing something for myself on and about the state of complete and full abstraction from everything and of cleaving freely, confidently, nakedly and firmly to God alone, so as to describe it fully (in so far as it is possible in this abode of exile and pilgrimage), especially since the goal of Christian perfection is the love by which we cleave to God.” –St. Albert the Great, On the highest and supreme perfection of man, in so far as it is possible in this life.

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A Study on Bible Characters

Adeney-Men of the Bible

Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Characters
by George Milligan, D.D., J. G. Greenhough, M.A., Alfred Rowland, D.D., Ll.B., Principal Walter F. Adeney, D.D., J. Morgan Gibbon., H. Elvet Lewis., Principal D. Rowlands, B.A., W. J. Townsend, D.D.
1904

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A Methodist Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary(1762-1832)

A good commentary by a Methodist minister.

Adam Clarke was the most famous commentator the Methodist Church ever produced. As a child he was judged to be rather dull; however, from about eight onward he began to excel in learning. Though his father was of the Church of England, and his mother a Presbyterian, he became a Methodist when he was about sixteen. As his studies progressed he became a master of both Hebrew and Greek, as well as several other languages. He was proficient in the Greek classics, patristic literature, and various disciplines of history and science.

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by Albert Barnes

This is an excellent Bible commentary by the Presbyterian minister Albert Barnes.

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