The Scriptures give a clear and beautiful vision of God’s heart for his Word. God speaks so his people can know him. He preserves his Word so sinners can hear the gospel, receive Christ, and walk in newness of life. Because of this, Christians should care about how the Bible is translated. We do not elevate one translation as the only faithful option, and we do not ignore real differences. With grateful hearts shaped by the gospel, we receive God’s Word as a gift of grace and use the best tools available with humility, love, and wisdom.
1. God Speaks Clearly and Preserves His Word
God communicates clearly because he wants his people to know the truth that saves.
- “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching” (2 Tim. 3:16).
- God’s Word brings light and understanding to ordinary people (Ps. 119:130).
God inspired the Scriptures in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Every translation carries the meaning of the original text into another language. No translation is perfect, but many are faithful. Through these translations the Spirit draws sinners to Christ and forms believers into his image.
2. Translations Differ, and That Is Not a Problem to Fear
Faithful translations fall along a spectrum.
- Some aim for word-for-word precision.
- Some aim for thought-for-thought clarity.
- Some aim for readability, especially for newer readers or younger believers.
Each approach has strengths. Good translations let us see the same truth from different angles so Christ becomes even clearer.
Our church uses the ESV for preaching and teaching because it aims for precision and clarity. We encourage its use but do not require it. Other faithful translations include the CSB, NASB, NIV, NKJV, NLT, and the KJV.
3. A Gracious Word to Those Who Believe the KJV 1611 Is the Only Faithful Translation
We respect believers who treasure the King James Version. It has served the church for centuries and remains a faithful translation of God’s Word.
We cannot affirm that the 1611 KJV is the only legitimate English Bible. Scripture was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek so the gospel could cross every tongue and culture. The apostles did not use a 1611 translation, and believers around the world read the Bible in thousands of languages today.
God has provided many faithful translations. To elevate one English edition as the only inspired version creates a burden Scripture never gives. Our confidence rests in the God who breathed out his Word, not in one particular form of English.
4. Love for Others Should Shape How We Use Translations
Christian freedom is shaped by the gospel. Christ laid down his rights for our salvation, and now we gladly lay down preferences for the good of others.
This means:
- We use the ESV publicly so we speak with one clear voice.
- We avoid treating any translation as a badge of maturity.
- We welcome believers who prefer a different faithful translation, including the KJV.
- We avoid translations that distort doctrine or shift the gospel.
Unity matters. Clarity matters. Love matters. How we handle the Bible shapes how we handle one another.
5. Wisdom for Those Who Are Learning or Struggling
Some believers are new to Scripture or still growing in reading ability. Certain translations may be easier for them to understand.
We encourage:
- Beginning with clear and trustworthy translations, including the NLT.
- Growing into deeper study as they mature.
- Asking for help when they feel confused or overwhelmed.
The gospel frees us from shame. The goal is not mastering a translation. The goal is meeting Christ in his Word.
6. A Word About Translations Outside Historic Christianity
Not every book that calls itself a Bible is faithful to the Christian gospel. Some groups intentionally alter the text in order to deny essential doctrines, especially the deity of Christ and the nature of salvation.
The two most common examples in our area are:
- The New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witnesses)
- The Joseph Smith Translation and other LDS scripture-based versions
These versions change or add to the biblical text in ways that alter the identity of Jesus, redefine salvation, and introduce teachings foreign to historic Christianity. They do not reflect the original languages or the gospel.
Because of this:
- Our church will not use these translations in any setting.
- We will actively discourage their use for personal study, devotion, or discipleship.
- We urge believers to pursue God with faithful translations that honor the inspired Word instead of distorting it.
Gospel clarity matters. If a translation alters Christ or the message of salvation, it is no longer a tool for following Jesus.
Conclusion
Translations are tools that help us receive the living and active Word of God. Through them we encounter the story of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Through them we meet the risen Christ who saves sinners, comforts the broken, strengthens the weak, and forms his church by grace.
So we read with gratitude, humility, and hope. We open the Bible knowing God has spoken, knowing the Spirit still works, and knowing every faithful translation points us to the same Savior.
May our church be shaped by the gospel, rooted in God’s Word, and eager to know Christ more and more.