What is the best and most accurate Bible translation and why does it matter? Your soul may depend on it!
Bibles can be grouped into 2 basic categories; Formal Equivalence and Dynamic Equivalence which can be further divided into 4 sub categories: Paraphrase, Thought for Thought, Word for Word and Literal. The Clarified Bible New Testament is a Formal Equivalence version being far more literal than most all other Bibles today.
The following explanations and hart below will help further clarify Bible versions.
Formal Equivalence
A Formal Equivalence translation is traditionally known as literal or word-for-word translation. It always strives to be faithful to the original text in both form and meaning. It allows the scripture to speak for itself, as it was intended, thereby allowing the reader the free will to interpret the Scriptures for themselves. This is because great care is taken to render the text as close as possible to the original, it makes it easier to study the Scripture in a formal translation.
Dynamic Equivalence
A Dynamic Equivalence version attempts to render the original text in a thought-for-thought or paraphrase manner. It is not concerned with remaining faithful to the original in form and meaning. It seeks to be more readable than a literal formal translation by rewording the scriptures. The dynamic translation is always rendered solely on the interpretation of the translator(s) and does not allow scripture to speak for itself nor does it allow the reader the free will to interpret the scripture for themselves.
By Aubrey S. Marshall
