Why do we read different versions of the Bible?
Tradition! According to the Canadian Bible Engagement Study, people tend to read the translations used in their denominations. To be precise, 40% of Canadian Christians privately read the translation that’s publicly used in their church worship service. Stereotypically speaking, that means if you’re an Evangelical, you’re more likely to read the NIV; if you’re a Mainline Protestant or Catholic, it’s the NRSV or RSV.
There are hundreds of good English versions of the Bible. Still, we generally aren’t persuaded to read a particular version because of the translation philosophy or reading level of the translation. While age influences the translation we read, this is a secondary factor. What ultimately guides our choice of translation is what we see and hear others reading. That is, the version found in our home is often the same version read by our pastor, found in our church pew, cited in our prayer book, read by our parents, or used in the Sunday sermon PowerPoint slides.
That’s not to say we only read one version of the Bible. Protestants (more so than Catholics), and Evangelicals in particular, often read from multiple versions. The ESV is popular as a study Bible, and the NLT is enjoyed for readability. Interestingly, the ESV and NLT are each read by 1% of Canadians. In fact, just 14 versions of the Bible are read by most Canadians, with 40% of Canadians who read the Bible saying they read the KJV or NIV.
The frequency of Bible reading should also be mentioned as a contributing factor. People who read the Bible regularly (a few times a week) are more likely to read the NIV (23% of Bible readers in Canada) or the KJV (21% of Bible readers in Canada).
Finally, it should be noted that the KJV is the only version that isn’t buttonholed by one or two denominations. Unlike the other versions, it’s read by many people in all denominations. Why the KJV? Tradition! It has a history of being used with a broad range of English-speaking audiences for over 400 years.
For more information on Bible Translation Choice in Canada, click here to read the full report: www.bibleengagementstudy.ca
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Summary
Why do we read different versions of the Bible? The choice of Bible translation is often influenced by tradition. Most people read the version used in their church or denomination. While people may not choose a translation based on its reading level, they’re more likely to read the version they hear and see others using. Protestants, especially Evangelicals, often read from multiple translations, with the KJV and NIV being the most popular in Canada. The KJV stands out for its broad appeal across denominations, partly due to its long history of use.
© Scripture Union Canada
