She reads truth bible or Jesus bible?

[snowlady4]

Does anyone have either of these bibles?
Any thoughts?

Look at the translation rather than the particular edition. Apart from the translation, you're really just looking at subjective choices like artwork, journalling space etc. There is a choice to make about how extensive and scholarly you want footnotes to be, but neither of the bibles you've mentioned is a scholarly edition so I'm assuming you're not too bothered about that.

She Reads Truth uses the CSB translation. If you're looking for mumsnet opinions, I consider it to be an ok translation in modern language, but I don't agree with some of the translation choices. For example, it has decided very clearly that 'active and passive participants in male homosexuality' are condemned in 1 Corinthians 6:9, when the two Greek words used are hotly debated and much less clear cut. In general, Bible translations will have to make some political decisions about phrases that don't translate culturally between the ancient and modern world, and I'm not a massive fan of the line CSB takes. It's a relatively accurate translation overall, certainly for non-scholarly purposes, but I would never choose it over an established good quality translation (I favour NRSV, personally).

The Jesus Bible is available in two different translations: ESV and NIV. I would never recommend NIV to anyone, it plays far too fast and lose with the text. ESV is accurate but perhaps less easily readable than some other translations.

Other than the translations, I haven't seen the Jesus Bible in the flesh, but I am worried by its blurb, which claims to show with each book's introduction (including all the OT books) how Jesus is active in them. It would be very difficult, controversial, and need a lot of evidence beyond ordinary reading level to demonstrate the presence of Jesus pre-Incarnation in anything other than prophecy, which leads me to think that what they've actually done is try to show a Trinitarian presence and conflated the eternal Son with Jesus. Basically it rings all sorts of alarm bells that there is no sound metaphysics and a lot of waffly poor theology. I would run for the hills!

I don't own either Bible, my opinions are based only on what I know of them as a non-user.

Thank you @Fink..
Thank you for taking the time to to write out that very interesting reply. Certainly food for thought for me.
I'm not looking for anything too scholarly, no.

Every version of the Bible you can get hold of is influenced by the theological position of its translators, and has to be read through that lens.

Yes, but some translations have made a deliberate attempt to have an ecumenical translation team from different faith traditions to try to work through some of the more controversial choices, and may have footnotes to indicate alternative translations. Whereas others have decided to embrace their own theological standpoint and are not open about this to the average reader. Not all translations are created equal!

I've not previously heard of either of those translations. Prior to easy access to all sorts of translations on the internet, my 'hard copy' bibles were the Amplified, NIV, NRSV and Good News ... I find it useful for understanding to read different versions.

I have considered both myself. Let me know what you think if you try one and/or both.

I am not an expert but was given this as a gift by a Christian friend and have found it helpful
Quest Study Bible

Not familiar with either of those.

I prefer the NKJV as I use the blueletterbible app for study and can easily access the original Hebrew or Greek (TR) when on the NKJV.

Here’s a link to the website
https://www.blueletterbible.org/

and the app
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/blue-letter-bible/id365547505

or

play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.blueletterbible.blb&pcampaignid=web_share

@Fink's reply is very helpful and considered, except that I think she's a bit harsh on the NIV.

The different translations are often described as located on a spectrum between "Word-for-word" (aka formal equivalence, i.e. translating the original text as literally as possible) or "thought-for-thought" (aiming for a translation that conveys the original intended meaning as closely as possible). ESV sits quite far along the "word-for-word" side and NIV nearer the "thought-for-thought" end, but not as far as paraphrases such as The Message.

They all have their pros and cons, and different Christian traditions tend to favour particular translations, but I think it's a good idea that even non-scholarly readers dip into at least one or two different translations, if only for the different use of English.

The Bible Society has a very helpful guide to the most common translations.

[Edited to correct a typo]

I am probably late to the party.. but I have only recently discovered the filament enabled bibles. I think they're brilliant!

I am using a filament enabled Bible this year myself for the first time - the Courage For Life Bible. It’s excellent. I also love that the Bible app allows for either listening to or reading the Bible and the audio is all done by women. They do an unbelievable job. Highly, highly recommend. I am still curious about the 2 you mentioned at first though. I choose a new Bible to read every year with a group of women and those have been a consideration.

What is a filament enabled bible, please?

There is a filament app that you can download. It has Bible reading plans, study information etc and you can also scan page numbers in your Bible and it will pop up additional information. I also have the app for the specific Bible I have and that is where I read or listen to the Bible. To be honest it was a little bit confusing to me at first because I needed two apps, but the Bible I purchased had a really great reference page that described how to access it, use it etc. It is really great. When you go to purchase a Bible it will say it is filament enabled. You can probably google filament enabled Bibles and then see which ones are of interest to you. I hope that helps!