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Literal vs Dynamic Translation Styles

Why I Require Literal/Formal Translation for Scripture

First Reason - Verbal Inspiration

A common core tennat of conservative Christianity is acknowledging the Holy Bible as the Word of God. Consider the example below from a typical Statement of Faith:

"We believe in the verbal and plenary inspiration, inerrancy, and divine authority of the Holy Bible. It is the completed special revelation of God to man and is comprised of the 66 books recognized as the Protestant Canon."

In the statement above, 'Verbal' is a technical term that does not indicate word-for-word dictation. Rather, it specifically means that the actual words chosen by the author, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, are vital to the integrity of the passage of Scripture. This opposes the concept translating 'ideas' instead of the words. This is the primary reason why Christians should reject translations which reword Scriptures, i.e., the 'Dynamic Equivalence' style of translation. Rather, Christians should require 'Literal' or 'Formal Equivalence" translation style.

Types of translations:

(Word-for-Word) Literal - (Ex: YLT) A degree of literalness as presented in interlinear Bibles, lexicons, etc. which is typically used as an origianal language-comparison reference.
Literal, Formal Equivalence, Essentially Literal - (Ex: KJV, NASB) As close to the original words 'as reasonable' with very limited rewording.
Dynamic Equivalent, Modern Language - (Ex: NIV, CSB) Translation favoring readability for modern readers, usually reworded to 7th grade reading level, and for gender-clarity/sensitivity.
Paraphrase - (Ex: The Message) Not a translation, but an English-to-English rewording of another version of the Bible. Uses contemporary language to generally represent passages and is characteristically very interpretive.

Second Reason - Interpretive Errors and Inconsistancies

Errors - When a passage is translated as a dynamic equivalent, the translator's own interpretation is applied to the translation. Anybody can make a mistake, and 'equivalent' words are rarely completely synonymous. Rewording Scripture for a purpose of simpler language means that any suble nuances of literal interpretation will inevitably be lost. Interpetive translation ignores the reason the original words used were chosen, which is contextually relevant to both the author and the audience. Finally, the translator may have a poor understanding of the passage and their reinterpretation can be off, or even dead wrong.

Inconsitancies - When passages are being reworded on a case-by-case basis, decrepancies can easily develop in the handling of key words such as 'agape,' 'angelos,' or 'baptizo.' Bibles are usually translated by teams of several people, so inconsistency is very hard to avoid when using dynamic equivalence methodologies.

Interpretive Bias - There are about 30,000 verses in the Bible, about 8,000 in the New Testament. That is way too much volume to be 'reworded for better understanding' without adding some degree of personal, scholastic, or religious bias to the created text. The ONLY way to effectively avoid translation bias is to stick to the literal translation methods.

Third Reason - Gender Translation

Literal Gender Translation There are two ways literal translation methods can handle gender-generic use of masculine pronouns - 'Original Gender' or 'Gender Acurate.' Traditionally, Original Gender has been used (KJV, RV, ASV, NASB 1995) and later versions (ESV, NASB 2020) have started using Gender Acurate translation methods. See the Colorado Springs Guideline for Gender Acurate Translation.

Dynamic Equivalence Gender Translation - allows Scripture addressing a masculine term to be changed to a gender-inclusive or gender-neutral term, REGARDLESS of the orginial intent of Scripture. This is obviously a problem because Scripture is being changed by the translator based on gender-inclusive bias. Some of the most popular / best-selling Bibles are gender-inclusive to a degree which in not accurate to the original language and meaning.

Examples of Literal vs Dynamic and Paraphrase

Note that differences below may seem minor, but the distinctions compound over the 31,000 verses of Scripture.

Literal Bibles Used: KJV, ASV, NASB(1995)
Dynamic Bibles Used: NIV, CSB
Paraphrase Bible Used: The Message (MSG)

Verse

Literal Translations

Dynamic / Paraphrase Translations

Matthew 6:33

KJV
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

ASV
But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

NASB 1995
But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

CSB
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

MSG
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Luke 12:15

KJV
And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

ASV
And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

NASB 1995
Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."

NIV
Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."

CSB
He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

MSG
Speaking to the people, he went on,"Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot."

Romans 5:8

KJV
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

ASV
But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

NASB 1995
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

CSB
But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

MSG
But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

KJV
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

ASV
Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

NASB 1995
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

NIV
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

CSB
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

MSG
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another-showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

Ezra 7:10

KJV
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

ASV
For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of Jehovah, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.

NASB 1995
For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.

NIV
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

CSB
Now Ezra had determined in his heart to study the law of the Lord, obey it, and teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.

MSG
Ezra had committed himself to studying the Revelation of GOD, to living it, and to teaching Israel to live its truths and ways.

Psalm 27:1

KJV
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

ASV
Jehovah is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

NASB 1995
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

NIV
The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?

CSB
The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- whom should I dread?

MSG
Light, space, zest- that's GOD! So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.

Isaiah 55:11

KJV
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

ASV
so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

NASB 1995
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

NIV
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

CSB
so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.

MSG
So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them.