Why I (mostly) use the English Standard Version of the Bible

Many of you have noticed and/or commented on my (near) exclusive use of the ESV Bible over the last several months. Here is the short version of what led me to that decision:

1) I began to develop a concern that most versions contain more commentary and interpretation than most readers (and I) realized. The more I studied the original languages, the more frustation I had at some of the popular versions today. I wanted a translation that was as accurate as possible in interpreting the original texts, and was at the same time, readable. I once predominantly used the NIV on Sunday AM (due largely to its popularity and common usage) and the NASB on Wednesday nights (due to its literal accuracy). I think the ESV provides the readability of the NIV without the over-simplicity and interpretive bent, while improving the flow and readability without sacrificing the literal accuracy of the NASB.

2) I began to be convicted about the popular trend (inspired by Rick Warren, Purpose-Driven style preaching and preachers) of using a disconnected mix of translations and paraphrases in every message instead of utilizing one worthy text. The purpose of picking and choosing a mix of versions seems to be to get the Bible to say what you want it to say by finding certain phrases, words, ideas that may not be well-founded in the original texts, rather than doing the hard work of determining what the Bible actually said (to it's original audience), says (in its proper context), and says today to us (the timeless principles).

3) I have great respect for the team that developed this version and for the Christian leaders, professors, and pastors who endorse it. It was the endorsement of men that I admire that first led me to consider the ESV as my primary text.

While I still utilize a variety of references in personal study, message preparation, devotional reading, and in writing, I rely on the ESV as my primary preaching/teaching text.

This video will give you more insight as to why:

What the world needs now ...

... is what the world has always needed. This world needs to hear a word from God. Specifically, the world needs to hear God's Word. And how will that happen?

This Sunday, a pastor at a church down the street will preaching on the popular, but theologically heretical bestseller, The Shack. Another one will be preaching some sort of "response" to Dan Brown's latest attack on Christianity, Angels and Demons. Hundreds - if not thousands - more preachers will be borrowing messages from pop-psychologists, self-help seminar leaders, and positive-thinking, motivational speakers addressing things like overcoming stress, enjoying your job, or the latest troubling fad - trying to lure people by talking explicitly about sex. Others still will be offering up corny takeoffs of TV series like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Lost, and The Biggest Loser, all trying to make some sort of tenuous Christian connection.

And I used to do the same. I look over my message titles from 5-6 years ago and more and cringe as I see the same sort of junk. I had message series like: CASTAWAY – How to Get off Your Desert Island and SURVIVOR- How to Make It in a Tough World. Seriously. I actually preached that stuff. But over time, my approach has changed. I'd like to say I had an epiphany and God himself said "Stop borrowing Rick Warren's messages and getting your inspiration from the TV set", but it didn't exactly happen that way. It was more gradual. I slowly begin to realize that man's wisdom - no matter what man - is not life-changing. It may be impressive, memorable, and even adored, but its effects are minimal. What people need - what I need - is a word from God. I begin to feel a deep and lasting conviction that I should do exactly as Paul told his apprentice Timothy to do: Preach the Word. Period.

When you preach the Word, you don't need a knee-jerk response to every Dan Brown, Richard Dawkins, or Oprah Winfrey. When you preach the Word, you don't need to be cute, clever, or contemporary. The Word is powerful, effective, and timeless. When you preach the Word, you don't need a hook, a gimmick, or bait-n-switch. It's truth. Total truth. Now it's true that not everyone will want that sort of preaching. Many prefer to be entertained, coddled, or indulged. But Paul covered all that when he told Timothy:

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV)
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

So - if any young preachers are out there reading this - here's my advice. Preach the Word. Study it thoroughly, think on it deeply, live it honestly, and communicate it passionately. God will take care of the rest.

Just my thought for the day!