Gifts are great to receive, especially at Christmas, although theyre seldom as easy to give. We all have times where we just cannot think of the right present to buy someone. Ties, sweaters, socks and jewelry seem to be the normal route, but a new Bible can be an awesome gift to give to anyone at any age. Bibles today come in so many different versions and styles that finding just the right one for just the right person isnt as hard as you might think.
Rex Dye, a local Bible scholar and owner of Christian Homestead Bookstore, said that knowing which version of the Bible will best fit an individuals needs is a good place to start when considering a Bible as a gift. He also explained that every version is just that, a version. None are perfect, none are fault free, but finding one that is close to the original language may be the best route to go.
As you know, there is a plethora of Bible translations and versions available, Dye explained. Some of them have a long, winding history through human hands; both copying and translation. There is no single English Bible language that is fault free. It seems best to me to get the one that has the least weaknesses and is closest in rendition to the original language texts. In some cases the weakness is found in the choice of words or phrases the translator(s) chose in rendering a word or passage.
According to Dye, one reason for this weakness in translation is due to the fact that there were several words or phrases the translators could have used at times, however they could only pick one.
The problem is that they had, in many cases, more than one word or phrase they could legitimately choose from, but the depth and impact of each of those may vary drastically, Dye added. The worst case scenario is when human doctrinal bias is at work in the translation or compilation of a particular Bible.
So finding the right translation for the right person becomes the task at hand. For example, if you are considering buying a new Bible for a child Dye recommends the NIRV New Adventure Bible. He said it is easy reading for age levels 6 years to 9 years and offers a second edition for ages 9 years to 12 years.
This Bible is age appropriate for children and comes with extra pages of learning helps and fun items to work through and learn, he said.
Middle and high school students need more of a study Bible and its a good idea to find one that has some extra devotional pages geared toward the current issues they may be facing.
Middle or high school students can make good use of the Teen Study Bible (NIRV), Dye said. This version is a hardback study Bible in other versions and sometimes hardback can be more durable.
Buying a new Bible for someone that attends church and has some knowledge of God and salvation is different than buying a Bible for a brand new Christian. If you are purchasing a Bible for a new convert, there are some things you might want to consider. Dye likes The New American Standard version best and many people worldwide use this version and feel the translation is most literal.
As for the newly saved person, I feel most comfortable recommending the Bible that is recognized as the most literally correct translation at hand: The New American Standard Bible (NASB), Dye said. Though not perfect (none of them are) this translation is the closest to a meaning for meaning Bible that you can get, and it is easy to read. A New American Standard Study Bible would provide much insight for the beginner.
The New American Standard Study Bible contains many helpful charts and graphs that show demographics and historical happenings during Bible times. There are also sections that contain insight into Jewish customs and some of the symbols used in the Bible and what those symbols mean.
You are never too old to get a new Bible, and if you are purchasing a Bible gift this Christmas for an elderly person, all versions and translations offer large print and even giant print. Dye said many offer up to 24 font in two volumes so the larger print may be a gift in itself to the right individual. All versions also come in all types of covers, including leather, hardback, soft cover, leather flex and so forth. There are various colors and styles to choose from as well.
In addition to recommending the NASB, Dye said that the Halleys Bible Handbook is a good Exhaustive Concordance geared to the version of Bible being used. He added there are various Bible Promise Books available as well that would be helpful in studying and learning more from Gods Word.
If you are planning on buying a concordance, it should an exhaustive one and should also be based on the version of the Bible being used. There are many concordances that have the same name as a particular Bible version. These will work best with that version.
