Berean Study Bible: A Comprehensive Critique

Introduction

The Berean Study Bible is a popular Bible translation published by the Berean Bible Society. It is known for its literal approach to translation and its inclusion of extensive study notes. However, the Berean Study Bible has also been the subject of criticism from biblical scholars and Christian leaders.

Criticism of the Translation

One of the main criticisms of the Berean Study Bible is its literal approach to translation. Literal translations attempt to render the original text word-for-word, without regard for the context or the reader's understanding. This can lead to inaccuracies and make the text difficult to understand.

For example, in the Gospel of Matthew, the Berean Study Bible translates the Greek word "diakonia" as "ministry" throughout the book. However, in Matthew 20:28, where Jesus says, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve," the Berean Study Bible translates "diakonia" as "service." This change in translation alters the meaning of the passage and makes it less clear what Jesus is saying.

Another criticism of the Berean Study Bible is its lack of scholarly rigor. The study notes are often based on the personal opinions of the translators or editors, rather than on the consensus of biblical scholarship. This can lead to misleading or inaccurate information.

For example, in the note on Genesis 1:1, the Berean Study Bible claims that the "days" of creation were literal 24-hour days. This claim is not supported by the majority of biblical scholars, who believe that the days of creation were more likely to be figurative periods of time.

Criticism of the Study Notes

The study notes in the Berean Study Bible are often criticized for being biased and sectarian. The notes reflect the dispensationalist and fundamentalist theology of the Berean Bible Society, and they often interpret the Bible in a way that supports these doctrines.

For example, the note on Revelation 20:10 states that the "lake of fire" is a literal place of eternal torment for the wicked. This interpretation is not supported by the majority of biblical scholars, who believe that the lake of fire is a symbol of God's judgment and destruction.

Another criticism of the study notes is that they are often speculative and unscholarly. The notes often make claims that are not supported by the biblical text or by historical evidence.

For example, the note on Genesis 1:1 claims that the "gap theory" is the only viable interpretation of the creation account. This claim is not supported by the majority of biblical scholars, who believe that the gap theory is not a necessary or plausible interpretation of the text.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using the Berean Study Bible

• Do not rely solely on the study notes. The study notes are often biased and unscholarly. It is important to consult other resources, such as commentaries and Bible dictionaries, to get a more complete understanding of the Bible.
• Be aware of the dispensationalist and fundamentalist bias of the Berean Bible Society. The study notes often reflect the dispensationalist and fundamentalist theology of the Berean Bible Society. It is important to be aware of this bias when interpreting the notes.
• Do not use the Berean Study Bible as your only source of information. The Berean Study Bible is not a comprehensive resource on the Bible. It is important to use other resources, such as commentaries and Bible dictionaries, to get a more complete understanding of the Bible.

Why the Berean Study Bible Matters

Despite the criticisms, the Berean Study Bible has had a significant impact on the Christian community. The Bible has been translated into over 150 languages and has sold millions of copies. The Berean Bible Society also offers a variety of resources, such as Bible studies and conferences, that have helped to spread the Berean Study Bible's message.

The Berean Study Bible has been praised by some for its literal approach to translation and its extensive study notes. However, the Bible has also been criticized for its lack of scholarly rigor, its biased and sectarian study notes, and its speculative and unscholarly claims.

Benefits of Using the Berean Study Bible

• The Berean Study Bible is a literal translation of the Bible. This can be helpful for people who want to understand the Bible in its original form.
• The Berean Study Bible provides extensive study notes. These notes can be helpful for people who want to learn more about the Bible.
• The Berean Study Bible is available in many different languages. This makes it accessible to people from all over the world.

6-8 FAQs

1. Is the Berean Study Bible a reliable translation of the Bible?

The Berean Study Bible is a literal translation of the Bible that is based on the original Greek and Hebrew texts. However, the translation has been criticized for its lack of scholarly rigor and its biased and sectarian study notes.

2. What is the dispensationalist and fundamentalist bias of the Berean Bible Society?

The Berean Bible Society is a dispensationalist and fundamentalist organization. Dispensationalism is a system of theology that divides history into different dispensations, or time periods. Fundamentalism is a conservative approach to Christianity that emphasizes the inerrancy of the Bible and the importance of personal salvation.

3. What are some of the speculative and unscholarly claims made in the Berean Study Bible?

The Berean Study Bible makes a number of speculative and unscholarly claims, such as the claim that the "gap theory" is the only viable interpretation of the creation account and the claim that the "lake of fire" is a literal place of eternal torment for the wicked.

4. Is the Berean Study Bible a good resource for learning about the Bible?

The Berean Study Bible can be a helpful resource for people who want to learn more about the Bible. However, it is important to be aware of the Bible's limitations and to consult other resources, such as commentaries and Bible dictionaries, to get a more complete understanding of the Bible.

5. What are some of the benefits of using the Berean Study Bible?

The Berean Study Bible is a literal translation of the Bible that provides extensive study notes. The Bible is available in many different languages, which makes it accessible to people from all over the world.

6. What are some of the criticisms of the Berean Study Bible?

The Berean Study Bible has been criticized for its lack of scholarly rigor, its biased and sectarian study notes, and its speculative and unscholarly claims.

7. Is the Berean Study Bible a good resource for Bible study?

The Berean Study Bible can be a helpful resource for Bible study, but it is important to be aware of its limitations and to consult other resources, such as commentaries and Bible dictionaries, to get a more complete understanding of the Bible.

8. What is the difference between the Berean Study Bible and other Bible translations?

The Berean Study Bible is a literal translation of the Bible that provides extensive study notes. Other Bible translations may use a different approach to translation, such as a dynamic equivalence translation, which attempts to translate the meaning of the original text rather than the literal words.

Table 1: Translation Approaches

Table 2: Study Notes

Table 3: Scholarly Rigor