Bible
WORSHIP
CANON 2: Of Translations of the Bible
The Lessons prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer shall be read from the translation of the Holy Scriptures commonly known as the King James or Authorized Version (which is the historic Bible of this Church) together with the Marginal Readings authorized for use by the General Convention of 1901; or from one of the three translations known as Revised Versions, including the English Revision of 1881, the American Revision of 1901, and the Revised Standard Version of 1952; from the Jerusalem Bible of 1966; from the New English Bible with the Apocrypha of 1970; or from The 1976 Good News Bible (Today's English Version); or from The New American Bible (1970); or from The Revised Standard Version, an Ecumenical Edition, commonly known as the "R.S.V. Common Bible" (1973); or from The New International Version (1978); or from The New Jerusalem Bible (1987); or from the Revised English Bible (1989); or from the New Revised Standard Version (1990); or from translations, authorized by the diocesan bishop, of those approved versions published in any other language; or from other versions of the Bible, including those in languages other than English, which shall be authorized by diocesan bishops for specific use in congregations or ministries within their dioceses. (2009 Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church)
Traveling on business years ago, my car radio was tuned to a “talk program” featuring listeners calling in with religious questions and comments. OK, it was 1980, easily remembered because of the car I was driving. The radio host seemed quite learned and was responding to a particular caller by telling something that the original Greek language said. The caller, abysmally ignorant judging by his use of English, (right, “judge not, lest ye be judged”) interrupted rudely and said, “I don’t go by the Greek, I go by the King James Bible, the inerrant word of God.” The host eventually gave up on him and went on to another caller.
Probably the most commonly used Bible in Episcopal parishes these days is the New Revised Standard Version, which is among those listed above as authorized by General Convention for use in our worship. It has always intrigued me that some denominations insist that the King James Version is the only true Bible, the literal and inerrant word of God. Likely they don’t realize that what they are using is a 1611 translation by and for the Church of England. Why folks who are not Anglican would insist on using only our Bible is beyond me, but we are what we are taught. There are modern and clearer translations from the Hebrew and Greek, using more ancient texts than were available to the Church of England scholars who worked on the Authorised Version (AV, KJV) from 1604 to 1611.
For psalms in worship, my preference is the Coverdale Psalter. For memorizing, always and only the King James Version. For hearing, my personal favorite for language and sound is the RSV, which is in the KJV tradition of word for word translation. The NRSV is my choice for study, but can be annoying with some of its liberated word and phrase choices. Many people prefer the NIV, which seems to have more theological agenda and bias than the RSV/NRSV. However, the Authorised Version (KJV) itself apparently had an agenda to protect the episcopal organization of the Church of England. Nothing is free from the human touch.
Regardless, there is only one true Christmas story
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child... (Luke 2, KJV)
We all have personal preferences and prejudices, self included.
TW+