Selection and use of the Bible in writing
Questions that are asked about selecting a bible.
1. Which is the best Bible translation for you to read?
2. Which is closer to the original text?
3. What translations use the original Greek, Aramaic, or Hebrew?
4. Is there one single version of the Bible that theologians, pastors, or churches prefer?
Things to consider about the bible you use:
1. Bibles with margins and footnotes where the original Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic
is given provide additional information and help.
2. The most popular translations are not always the best translations.
3. Whatever Bible translation you use, get a Study Bible or one that has
footnotes and side margins.
4. There is one version of the Bible that is used by more seminaries, more
churches, and quoted more often by Christian websites (This is the NIV 2011).
5. The King James Version, the New King James or the English Standard Version
(ESV) are all good choices. The ESV Study Bible has notes in the margins and
footnotes. It is easy to figure out if the original work was written in Greek,
Aramaic, or Hebrew. The New King James (NKJ) Study Bible is also a fine
translation.
6. The Good News Bible (or Good News Translation, GNT) contains footnotes but
no marginal notes. The Good News Translation (GNT), formerly called the Good
News Bible or Today's English Version, was first published as a full Bible in 1976
by the American Bible Society as a “common language” Bible. It is a clear and
simple modern translation that is faithful to the original Hebrew, Koine Greek, and
Aramaic texts. The GNT is a highly trusted version.
DOCUMENTATION OF YOUR SOURCES
1) Creating a Parenthetical Citation when the source is the bible:
a) First reference to the bible used in your analysis:
Sometimes the human heart is overwhelmed with feelings of despair and
helplessness (Good News Bible, Psalms 77. 1-9).
Order of citation> Title of text, Book, Chapter, Verse
b) Subsequent use of the same text and book: .
Sometimes our voices are filled with hope and longing (Psalms 80. 1-12).
2) Your List of Works Cited (always on a separate page):
Works Cited
Bargerhuff, Eric J. The Most Misused Verses in the Bible. Michigan: Bethany
House Publishers, 2013. Print.
Holy Bible. Good News Translation. Catholic Edition. Toronto: Canadian Bible
Society, 1994. Print.