Why do we use the CSB Bible?
Why We Switched to CSB Bibles:
I want to take this opportunity to explain the reasons behind the decision to switch from NIV to CSB (Christian Standard Bible) and not NKJV or ESV (other good options).
Executive Summary: The CSB is a modern translation that strikes an excellent balance between accuracy and readability, making it a valuable tool for both study and devotional reading. In summary, if you don’t want to read on, this is why we switched: It was created through the efforts of over 100 scholars from 17 denominations, we love the CSB translation for its accuracy and readability. It’s a balancing act that earned CSB the Global Bible Initiative’s “most optimally balanced” superlative. Because so many denominations contributed, it doesn’t have a “bent” like ESV (ESV leans Calvinistic, meaning it in some ways acts like a commentary. The translators shouldn’t let their theological leanings influence a translation but simply let the text speak for itself), though it sounds a lot like ESV, it is less “clunky” and flows better. In fact, it almost has the same readability of the NIV but has the accuracy of the ESV.
Other reasons if you want to go further...
Faithful to Original Texts: The CSB is translated directly from the biblical languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—using the best available manuscripts. This ensures a high level of fidelity to the original meaning of the biblical texts.
Optimal Equivalence: Unlike other translations that lean either towards word-for-word (formal equivalence) or thought-for-thought (dynamic equivalence, which is helpful but it almost acts as a commentary, adding the bias of the translator), the CSB employs what is known as optimal equivalence. This approach maintains faithfulness to the original text while also prioritizing clarity and readability in English. In other words, it is a word for word translation unless the rendering wouldn’t make sense in modern language (example: the ancients used the bowels as the seat of emotion, we use heart, that is why KJV says bowels of mercy and newer translations say: heart of mercy).
Accessible Language: The CSB uses contemporary English that is easy to understand without sacrificing the richness and depth of the biblical message. This makes it ideal for public reading, study, and personal reflection.
Source Texts: Textus Receptus vs. Majority Text
To understand the significance of translation choices like those made in the CSB, it’s important to grasp the differences between the Textus Receptus and the Majority Text:
Textus Receptus (Received Text) is a compilation of Greek texts that formed the basis of the New Testament in the Protestant Reformation era. It includes texts like the Byzantine manuscripts and was used in the development of the King James Version. The biggest issue with this text (if you can call it that) is that Erasmus was rushing to provide a translation and only had a handful of manuscripts supporting each section. The KJV was largely based on his translation. It’s important to note that there are no doctrines that are called into question with any of the minor differences and his translation greatly helped the reformation (Luther). Subsequent editions and advancements in textual criticism have since built upon and refined Erasmus's work, leading to a more nuanced understanding of the Greek New Testament text. Which brings us to the vastly largely body of scholarship called the Majority Text. This refers to a different textual tradition that emphasizes manuscripts which are more numerous across various regions and eras.
The reality is that the best Bible translation is the One You Will Read. Ultimately, the best Bible translation is the one that speaks to your heart and compels you to engage with God’s Word regularly. Whether it’s the CSB or another version, what matters most is that we are reading, studying, and applying Scripture to our lives. For new believers, the NLT is a thought for thought translation that is reliable. My favorite of all time though is a Bible in a Year that takes you chronologically through the Bible. I am on my almost 26th year of doing the Bible cover to cover but as the events occur is my favorite.
I want to take this opportunity to explain the reasons behind the decision to switch from NIV to CSB (Christian Standard Bible) and not NKJV or ESV (other good options).
Executive Summary: The CSB is a modern translation that strikes an excellent balance between accuracy and readability, making it a valuable tool for both study and devotional reading. In summary, if you don’t want to read on, this is why we switched: It was created through the efforts of over 100 scholars from 17 denominations, we love the CSB translation for its accuracy and readability. It’s a balancing act that earned CSB the Global Bible Initiative’s “most optimally balanced” superlative. Because so many denominations contributed, it doesn’t have a “bent” like ESV (ESV leans Calvinistic, meaning it in some ways acts like a commentary. The translators shouldn’t let their theological leanings influence a translation but simply let the text speak for itself), though it sounds a lot like ESV, it is less “clunky” and flows better. In fact, it almost has the same readability of the NIV but has the accuracy of the ESV.
Other reasons if you want to go further...
Faithful to Original Texts: The CSB is translated directly from the biblical languages—Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—using the best available manuscripts. This ensures a high level of fidelity to the original meaning of the biblical texts.
Optimal Equivalence: Unlike other translations that lean either towards word-for-word (formal equivalence) or thought-for-thought (dynamic equivalence, which is helpful but it almost acts as a commentary, adding the bias of the translator), the CSB employs what is known as optimal equivalence. This approach maintains faithfulness to the original text while also prioritizing clarity and readability in English. In other words, it is a word for word translation unless the rendering wouldn’t make sense in modern language (example: the ancients used the bowels as the seat of emotion, we use heart, that is why KJV says bowels of mercy and newer translations say: heart of mercy).
Accessible Language: The CSB uses contemporary English that is easy to understand without sacrificing the richness and depth of the biblical message. This makes it ideal for public reading, study, and personal reflection.
Source Texts: Textus Receptus vs. Majority Text
To understand the significance of translation choices like those made in the CSB, it’s important to grasp the differences between the Textus Receptus and the Majority Text:
Textus Receptus (Received Text) is a compilation of Greek texts that formed the basis of the New Testament in the Protestant Reformation era. It includes texts like the Byzantine manuscripts and was used in the development of the King James Version. The biggest issue with this text (if you can call it that) is that Erasmus was rushing to provide a translation and only had a handful of manuscripts supporting each section. The KJV was largely based on his translation. It’s important to note that there are no doctrines that are called into question with any of the minor differences and his translation greatly helped the reformation (Luther). Subsequent editions and advancements in textual criticism have since built upon and refined Erasmus's work, leading to a more nuanced understanding of the Greek New Testament text. Which brings us to the vastly largely body of scholarship called the Majority Text. This refers to a different textual tradition that emphasizes manuscripts which are more numerous across various regions and eras.
The reality is that the best Bible translation is the One You Will Read. Ultimately, the best Bible translation is the one that speaks to your heart and compels you to engage with God’s Word regularly. Whether it’s the CSB or another version, what matters most is that we are reading, studying, and applying Scripture to our lives. For new believers, the NLT is a thought for thought translation that is reliable. My favorite of all time though is a Bible in a Year that takes you chronologically through the Bible. I am on my almost 26th year of doing the Bible cover to cover but as the events occur is my favorite.
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