What’s your favourite Bible? Revisited…

I wrote the paragraph below in a previous post What’s your favourite Bible and why?

Some of my Bibles

Looking back, I grew up with the KJV, dabbled with my school prize NEB and have stuck pretty much with NIV for 30 odd years while dabbling in The Message and more recently enjoying the NLT.

And through each one, in the various stages of my life, God spoke to me.

So on a Thursday morning recently in Portstewart, I asked ten ministers and pastors, with whom I was having coffee and croissants and discussing Bible translation, to write down their favourite Bible and why…

Deep in thought about favourite Bibles...

And here is what they wrote…

John-Mark Mullan | Mountsandel Christian Fellowship

A paperback NIV from my student days

Our IFES staff worker gave myself and four friends paperback NIVs with a cover that said “Vox Dei”.  We carried them on mission trips to Eastern Europe and used them in all kinds of discussions and talks in coffee shops around Belfast and beyond.  Mine got so tattered with use I had to stop using it, which was sad.  It was the Bible I learned to preach from.

Peter Lynas | Causeway Coast Vineyard

NIV Study Bible

It has been around the world with me and was taken from my luggage a few years ago – I believe someone, somewhere is benefitting from it.  I now  use the NRSV on my iphone – very handy.

Greg Alexander | Coleraine Methodist Church

An old GNB paperback that cost £2.75.

Because reading Mark’s gospel, I met and fell in love with Jesus.

Mark Mander | Ballycastle Rd Independent Methodist Church, Coleraine

ESV Reformation Study Bible

Picked up the Bible in seminary and was totally amazed in class when lectures would give Hebrew and Greek translations and they would match the Bible.  I like the readability of the Bible and the fact that it is a close translation of the original. Also the many study notes that accompany the Bible in this particular publication.

Richard Gregg | Burnside Presbyterian Church, Portstewart

NIV study Bible

I have used it since university and it is now falling apart, but it has so many highlights and underlinings that I cannot bear to change it for a new Bible.

Mark Goudy | Macosquin Presbyterian Church

Wide-margined NIV

The annotations are a gentle reminder of key thoughts and associated events and of how God spoke directly to me at such times.  Also contains sermonic notes for use in an emergency!

Alan Wilson | Portstewart Baptist Church

Hard to answer!  One that stands out is an old softback Living Bible – probably my first non KJV.

Helped get me into Bible reading.  Also, nice ESV lit study bible – great layout for reading.

Robert McMullan | New Row Presbyterian Church, Coleraine

Good News for Modern Man

First modern translation I ever had.  Bought a complete hardback version of GNB for £1 at Greystones CSSM in1979 and I used it for years at CSSM.  Also it was the pew bible at my first charge in the Maze.  It still for me is the best Bible to read with children.

Stephen Williamson | Ballywillan Presbyterian Church

Good News Bible

I now rarely use this, but my Mum and Dad gave me a copy on my wedding day.  They reminded me of the fact that they had prayed continuously for me.  They also reminded me that I had ‘known the Scriptures from infancy.’  As I say I now rarely use it – I prefer NIV – but the GNB reminds me of the faithfulness of God and my parents.

Trevor Watson | Coleraine Baptist Church

English Standard Version

It is both a joy to read and study.  I just love the logic of the ESV in the Epistles and the poetic eloquence in the Psalms.  And the best thing about it is… God speaks to me!

I just love reading what people say about their Bibles and how God speaks to them!

Look out for the next instalment from my church young adults group.