Ask the Pastor | How Should We Think About Bible Translations?

I was recently asked what Bible translation I use in the pulpit. The question came with a concern many of us share: Which translations can we trust, and which should we avoid?

This is an important conversation, because the Bible is God’s Word given to us in human language. Every translation involves decisions about how best to communicate that Word clearly and faithfully.

Three Broad Approaches to Translation
Bible versions generally fall into three categories:

Paraphrase – These aim to restate the meaning of Scripture in fresh, everyday language. They are helpful for devotional reading but not ideal for close study.

Word-for-Word – These strive to stay as close as possible to the original wording. Examples include the NASB and KJV.

Thought-for-Thought – These focus on conveying the sense of a passage in smoother, more natural English. The NIV is a well-known example.

It’s worth noting that no translation is perfectly word-for-word. Languages don’t line up neatly. Translators must render words into grammatically correct sentences in the target language, which always requires some interpretation. Even the most literal translations involve judgment calls.

Reliable Translations
The good news is that there are many excellent translations available today. Some of the most trusted include the NASB, the ESV, the KJV and NKJV and the 1984 edition of the NIV.

But the truth is, the range of trustworthy translations is much wider than many realize. Alongside these familiar names, there are others you may not expect—such as the newer NIV, NLT, RSV, and NRSV. These, too, are the product of careful, committee-driven scholarship and can be read with confidence.

The guiding principle is this: any translation produced by a reputable team of scholars is generally reliable. Differences often come down to style, readability, and preference.

A Word of Caution
Not all “translations” are created equal. Versions produced by groups outside historic Christianity—such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation or the LDS church’s Joseph Smith Translation—were deliberately altered to support particular doctrinal errors. These should not be trusted.

So, Which Bible Should You Use?
There’s an old saying: The best Bible is the one you will read.

Choose a translation that is faithful, readable, and suited to your context—whether that’s study, teaching, or personal devotion. And remember: the goal is not to master the translation, but to let God’s Word master us.

People of the Word

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Every day, we’re surrounded by voices telling us what to believe, how to live, and what matters most. Some are sincere, some misleading, and many just plain confusing. That’s why we need a foundation that doesn’t shift, a truth that doesn’t change. God gave us His Word not to complicate life, but to clarify it. The Bible isn’t just a book; it’s the living voice of God. It’s not only true, it’s trustworthy. It doesn’t just tell us what’s right; it shows us how to live well. When we build our lives on Scripture, we’re building on rock, not sand.

God’s Word doesn’t restrict us. It releases us. Real freedom isn’t doing whatever we want; it’s doing what we were made for. Scripture tells us who we are, why we’re here, and how to live with purpose. It shapes our character, strengthens our relationships, and sends us into the world with confidence. The more we read it, the more we become like Jesus. And when we live it out, we become a light to others. God didn’t give us the Bible to decorate our shelves. He gave it to direct our steps.

So let’s be a church that doesn’t just believe the Bible, we live it. Let’s open it daily, apply it faithfully, and share it boldly. Let’s be people who know the Word, show the Word, and sow the Word, wherever God sends us. The Bible isn’t just our source of truth; it’s our source of strength. When we follow God’s Word, we walk in His will. And when we walk in His will, we fulfill His purpose. Let’s be people of the Word: anchored, equipped, and sent out to love our neighbors and change the world.

You are a Priest

I've been reflecting a lot lately on authority in church life—who teaches, who leads, who serves. But sometimes that word can feel heavy or complicated. Scripture gives us a simpler, deeper truth: every believer is a priest.

By faith in Jesus and through your baptism, you’ve been called—not just to belong to God, but to represent Him. “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood… that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

This priesthood means you can draw near to God with confidence. Hebrews says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…” (Hebrews 10:22). You don’t need to hang back or wait for someone else to go first. Jesus has opened the way for you.

It also means you’re called to care for others. James writes, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16) That’s not just for pastors or elders—it’s for all of us.

Here are just a few ways you can live out your priestly calling today:

• Pray for healing, strength, and breakthrough.
• Listen with compassion to those who are hurting or celebrating.
• Share God’s Word to bring hope and encouragement.
• Teach and guide others in faith, even through simple conversations.
• Care for those in pain with presence and kindness.
• Help meet practical needs with love and generosity.
• Encourage faithfulness by walking together in hope.

None of this requires a title. None of it is limited by gender, or any of the other qualities we use to limit access to "authority." We're not gatekeepers. Jesus has given this ministry to all who follow Him. “Go therefore and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19)

You are a priest. You are called. You are needed.

Confession and Absolution in the Reformed Tradition

In the Reformed Christian tradition, confession (admitting your sins) and absolution (being declared forgiven) offer a way to deal with guilt. Michael S. Horton's article, "Comfort Ye My People" explains that early Reformers saw these practices as ways for ministers to help people, not to exercise power.

Unlike the Medieval Roman Catholic Church, which often made forgiveness conditional, the Reformers viewed confession and absolution as simply sharing the good news of God's forgiveness. This approach has helped people avoid the deep uncertainty that medieval practices caused, and it also differs from the often confusing personal feelings common in some modern churches.

John Calvin, a key figure in the Reformation, strongly disagreed with the medieval idea of penance, which he felt burdened people with anxiety. He taught that forgiveness comes from God's mercy, not from anything people do to make up for their sins. For Calvin, confessing sins wasn't about earning God's favor, but about finding comfort and reassurance. He argued that the Bible's teaching on repentance means turning to God's mercy, not trying to earn forgiveness. This idea is central to Reformed theology: salvation comes only through God's grace and faith in Him.

The Reformed tradition includes both public and private confession and absolution. In public worship, people would generally confess their sins, and the minister would then declare God's forgiveness. Calvin believed this practice opened up prayer and helped people see their need for God's mercy. Private confession, though not mandatory, was seen as helpful for those struggling with specific sins. Ministers, whose job it is to teach and comfort through God's Word, were considered especially suited to offer this personal reassurance of forgiveness, which would strengthen a believer's faith.

Horton clarifies that private confession and absolution are not a different way to receive grace. They are, rather, a focused way to "preach" or to apply the gospel message. While Reformed churches differ from Lutheran churches on whether confession and absolution are a separate sacrament, they agree on their importance as part of the "power of the keys"—the authority given to ministers to declare sins forgiven. This power isn't about the minister having personal authority; it's about them announcing Christ's reconciliation. The main goal is always to guide people to Christ, not to make them rely on human leaders.

Ultimately, Horton stresses that confession and absolution in the Reformed tradition serve as tools for comfort and assurance. They offer a balanced approach to dealing with sin and guilt, avoiding both the strict rituals of the Roman Catholic Church and the overly individual focus sometimes found in evangelicalism. This practice, carried out by church leaders in public worship and private talks aims to build up faith and assure struggling Christians that God completely forgives them. It shows how God kindly reaches out to people in their weakness, giving them specific, personal assurance of forgiveness through Christ.

Mindfulness and Mental Health

When you hear the word mindfulness, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s a yoga class, a monk in meditation, or one of the many apps designed to cultivate mindfulness. The concept has certainly gained popularity, but it’s more than just a buzzword—it’s a practice rooted in extensive research, consistently demonstrating its benefits for mental health. You’ll find mindfulness woven into meditation apps, self-help books, and therapeutic techniques, yet at its core, it’s simply about being fully present in the moment. Instead of dwelling on the past or anxiously anticipating the future, mindfulness invites us to focus intentionally on the here and now.

The Science Behind Mindfulness

Over the past few decades, researchers have explored the benefits of mindfulness on mental health, and the findings are consistently compelling. Studies have shown that mindfulness reduces stress, lowers symptoms of anxiety and depression, improves emotional regulation, and enhances overall well-being. One study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that mindfulness-based stress reduction was as effective as medication in treating anxiety disorders. Another study demonstrated that mindfulness meditation alters the brain, increasing activity in areas associated with emotional regulation and reducing activity in regions linked to stress.