Someone recently gave me a copy of “The Ryrie Study Bible” published by Moody Press (last copyrighted in 1978). Based on the New American Standard translation (last copyrighted in 1977), this study Bible contains a “Gospel Harmony” section, a topical index, multiple maps, multiple time-lines, numerous chain-reference scriptures, a table for weights, measure and coins, a breakdown of Jesus’ parables, a schedule to read the Bible in a year, ample space for marginal notes and a footnote commentary provided by Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D..

Despite all of the “extras” that came with this copy of the Bible, I took the book for one specific reason – I did not have a hard-copy of a NAS Bible. So I took the book and started reading.

Now, whenever I check out a translation for the first time, I have a few “go-to” scriptures in the Old and New Testament that I read in order to get a basic understanding of the original translator’s goal, namely: were they attempting to make a beneficial word-for-word translation for the reader, or were they inserting their own theological point-of-view by making a word-for-thought translation to influence the reader. Continue reading →

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