Customer Reviews

The Living Bible

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This paraphrase of the Bible did more to help me in my spiritual growth than any Bible I had ever read. When I began to get serious in my Christian walk, I tried to read my Bible like I was supposed to but reading King James Version made me not want to read it all. The Living Bible spoke to me about how God wanted me to live my life in language I could understand. I highly recommend the Living Bible for new Christians who want to grow with God.

The centuries-old King James Version is, for many, the definitive translation of the Holy Scriptures. There are times, however, when that interpretation is confusing to modern readers. Thus, The Living Bible plays an important place in the true understanding of what has been credited to authors of the text.

It is an invaluable asset for those seeking to totally follow THE WORD.

As one that frequently must refer to the Bible, I find this book to be invaluable in my comprehension and appreciation of Christian precepts.

For those seeking particular passages, the book offers a handy reference of helpful consolation on a variety of concerns.

It is not a replacement; it is a welcome "extension".

I have experimented reading all the new Bible translations out there. And I can conclude that few if any of them do the job the original Living Bible does in enhancing the meaning of difficult passages from the King James. This Bible shouldn't totally replace what you read, but I know great Christians who rely on it daily. The motive of Ken Taylor, the translator, was to make the Bible understandable for his whole family. His passion for simplicity produced a work that still stands as the best paraphrase. The NLT (New Living Translation) does not stand on Taylor's work. Instead, it's more of a re-working of his concept. The result is a very wordy, sometimes cumbersome text. It reads well, but not as concise as the LB. Taylor took great care to use words that simplify the KJV or ASV without losing the jist of the text. His work is even more impressive in light of other factors: he did this alone. There were some later revisions, but far fewer than say what the NASB has gone through. The Jesus Movement in the 1970's was largely built on this truly evangelical Bible version that spoke clearly to a generation that needed Christ. And finally, the LB has been the foundation for efforts like the NIV, NLT, CEV and NCV. None of which really built on Taylor's work. I know how widespread the NIV is now, but there's something sterile and empty about it. The LB is far more lucid and lyrical than the NIV. Some of the paraphrases are adventurous and somewhat off the mark. But for the most part this Bible hits it's mark. The fact that it is used by conservatives like Jerry Falwell and Chuck Swindoll speaks volumes of it's credibility and readablity. Kenneth Taylor did a God inspired thing, and the Lord poured out a blessing to all of us!

Out of all the translations of the Bible from the original Hebrew and Greek, or from Latin translations, the Living Bible seems to me to be the easiest to read. Some places like Ecclesiastes 12, for example, are really hard to understand in the other translations. It matches my American dialect of the English language perfectly. Although we are not allowed to reveal the secret ending of the book in these reviews, let me just say that this book leads to a wonderful world, full of Light and Love, by filling the world with our own light and love and forgiveness.

The Living Bible continues to be one of the premier paraphrases in the world of English Bibles today. Unlike other paraphrases (such as the New Living Translation (NLT)), the Living Bible reads much more smoothly, as it was the result of one man's efforts and his one voice. As with other paraphrases, the Living Bible is not truly a translation, but a free interpretation of the actual Scripture text - so essentially, it is a commentary in the form of a Bible. I find it helpful to read from the Living Bible for my devotions, but for serious, in-depth Bible study, I recommend using a much more literal translation, such as the New King James Version (NKJV).

The Living Bible was the work of Kenneth Taylor, who wanted something much more easily understandable for his family than the King James Version (KJV); also, the Living Bible was paraphrased from the American Standard Version (ASV) - not the KJV.

Some 35 years after its release, The Living Bible Paraphrased can still excite. Be aware that this is indeed a paraphrase, and NOT a translation, and has been done by one man, the late Ken Taylor. It is meant as a reading Bible, and not meant for study---if you want to seriously study the Bible, use a good, formal equivalent translation, such as NASB, HCSB, NKJV, KJV, or even the NIV, for that matter. Untold thousands of people came to Christ, thanks to the Living Bible. God used this book in a powerful way. Many persons who never, ever, would pick up a Bible, read the Living Bible and became Christians. I've seen people carrying this green hardback for so long that it had actually turned black, and would read no other Bible. This particular edition, I could do without the red lettering very easily. But, as I stated above, this will make the Bible come so alive for you. Buy one. Try it---you'll like it.

This Bible is small enough to carry, yet the print is large
enough to easily read. Additionally, the quotes of Jesus Christ in red letters is a very nice feature, as well as the fact that the Bible is easier to read because it has been translated into modern English (including ancient Hebrew idioms). I would recommend this version to anybody who wants to enjoy reading the Bible in regular "modern English" and get the major concepts, without the difficulty of having to try to understand old English words. It is an excellent version for a Bible study.

My father was old school Anglican. So he naturally liked the "King James" version. (Though he also respected the "Good News" and the 1970 "New American.") My mother leans towards the "Jerusalem" version. In some ways, the "Living" version is one of my favorites. But, more than any Bible, this is one that I would NOT suggest you read until AFTER you have a knowledge of the Bible and why the different sections of the Bible were written. NOR would I suggest this Bible if you are going through a crisis in faith. The reason is simple enough. If you are new to the Bible, the "Good News" version is probably your best bet. While the "King James" version leans towards beautiful and poetic language, the "Living" does just the opposite of the "King James." The best comparison I can make is that if you are familiar with Nathaniel Hawthorne's writing, you know that he can be very fierce. (Notably in his "Scarlet Letter.") The "Living Bible" is made up of dramatic and fierce passages. EXAMPLE: In the Gospel According to John, most of us know how Jesus saved the woman accused of adultery from being stoned. In the "Good News" version, Jesus stops the people who were going to stone her with the words: "Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her" ("John" 8:7). In the "King James" version, Jesus says: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" ("John" 8:7). In the "Living Bible" Jesus puts it quite differently: "All right, hurl the stones at her until she dies. But only he who never sinned may throw the first" ("John" 8:7)! While I like this version of the Bible, I will be the first to admit that the language can be quite disturbing in some areas, and it will probably do more harm than good to someone who is trying to learn the Bible or wrestling with the decision to go to church or not. (While this is one of my favorite versions of the Bible, I CAN understand why the writer Father Brown does not suggest it. He said in his "Responses to 101 Questions on the Bible:" 'I do not like the ultraconservative evangelical tone that at times, in my judgment leads to mistranslations.') If you are already comfortable with the Bible and are well grounded in your faith, then like me you may find this to be a more dramatic and exciting version. However, if you are still learning the Bible or are not so sure of your faith, then this version of the Bible is NOT for you. Go with the "Good News" version in that event.

This is not a translation from the original biblical languages. It is a paraphrase of the good old King James Version. As such, it shares the KJV's textual shortcomings. Linguistic ambiguity of the KJV text gives way to the author's interpretation. This enhances readability, but removes the biblical student further from the original text.

A great way to read the Bible as literature, but not a good study Bible. I managed to cruise through this version, cover to cover, begats & all, when I was 15. It's a trip everybody in Western culture should take at least once. The Living Bible makes it far less daunting than it used to be.

5 stars for readability. 2 stars for the quality of the text. Several more modern translations, such as the New International Version, make much better compromises.

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This Living Bible is such a blessed book of God. It is so understandable that most grade school children would understand reading it. I am so glad that I purchased this Bible. What I like to do is first read the King James version and then read this Living Bible. You'd be amazed how it breaks words down to where it in all understandable. I give a 10 thumbs up for this Living Bible. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!