Hello everyone!

Just want to ask, which English translation of the Bible do you guys read/recommend?

My pastor and lifegroup use ESV so I followed suit for a while. But I find it difficult to read and understand even though I'm English educated.. So I'm thinking of switching to NIV. But then I've heard that NIV was paraphrased. I also have an NRSV Bible. KJV is a big no no for me. Also, I've been told to avoid The Message Bible.

But then I also wonder, does it matter which translation I read?

Also, what do you think of study Bibles? Are they recommended?

God bless.

Exactly my point! Jesus never said the way to the Father is thru the Church. He said it's thru Him. Jesus life and ministry is a WAY OF LIFE. The Church is just a medium to enhance that way of life. It is not a SOLE VEHICLE to eternal life.

Many Christian denominations have misused this verse to force / threaten / blackmail non believers into joining their Churches.

CHRISTINITY IS NOT MERELY ABOUT CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AND PAYING TITHES.

Whats more important is THE WAY OF LIFE! That has to be a reflection of our whole existence as Christians.

Sorry but I think its you who have misunderstood what ive been saying all throughout. Im not just talking about good works. When did I ever say that? Why don't u go back to page 131 and start from the beginning. Im certain you will be able to see where im coming from.

First of all you need to understand my beliefs which are based on my journey so far and what I have experienced and found out which im confident are and should be the basis of our Faith:

1) The Bible is an all Supreme document and guide for our life

2) The Bible is NOT the only source of guidance

3) God has also placed many Helpers in the world to help us in our journey to Him e.g the Church, parents, family, lay people, strangers, our 5 senses, our intelligence, etc

4) Christianity is NOT merely about a Church membership

5) Attending Church should be a personal decision one makes in defining his relationship with God. If he feels that going to Church doesn't give him that 'enhancement' then we should not judge him and start trying to force him back into the Church using fear tactics of eternal damnation. 

6) A person may be having a much greater relationship with God compared to a person who obediently attends Church every week.

7) We should never judge a person's personal relationship with God based on his Church attendance. 

8) Just because one does not profess to be a Christian does not mean he cannot be a Christian in the way he lives his life

9) A non Christian may be leading a more virtuous life than a Christian who reads & memorises the Bible but doesn't put it into practice

10) Just because one does not go to Church, doesn't mean a person is doomed

11) A person's damnation / salvation is decided based on how he lived his life. Not by a Church membership / non membership.

And pls don't come back saying I don't go to Church because of my sharing above. 

FYI I go every week but I go not because society demands this of me but because I get a certain kind of peace at Church. I actually spend more time in Church on days when there is no service. When the crowds are gone and no one is there to see. That's my quiet time with God. But this is just me. Doing this alone WILL NOT GUARANTEE me Salvation. I do not and will not expect others to conform to that just because that's what I do.

In that same way I get very angry when I hear anybody passing judgement saying that someone is dammed just because he isn't Christian. That's NOT what our religion is about. Our religion is about a way of life in accordance with the teachings of Christ. We don't only need to read the Bible in order to know how to live. We can be living a more virtuous life than a person who reads the Bible. It's all about putting all the positives we know into practice not just in our own lives but also in the lives of those around us.

First let me thank you for your mature response. And thank you for not judging me. This clearly shows there are people on this thread here who can engage like a normal, mature HUMAN being without passing judgement.

UW GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE AND LEARN FROM THIS GUY!

Thank you bro it's a much needed and I appreciate it.

Hey we are warrior clans.