Mars Hill Church : Pastoral Reflections on Bible Translations: Why We Preach from the English Standard Version

This is Pastor Mark Discoll's reflections on why Mars Hill elders decided to change from using the New International Version Bible to the English Standard Version for preaching, offering both theological and practical considerations. Mars Hill makes a list of what Scripture says about itself, which I find meaningful. For apologetic purposes using these verses to argue about the authority, power, etc. of Scripture would be considered circular reasoning, but for faith purposes it's good to know what God says about his word. • Given by inspiration of God — 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19–21 • The very words of God — 1 Thessalonians 2:13 • All we need to know God — Luke 16:29, 31 • A perfect guide for life — Proverbs 6:23 • Pure — Psalm 12:6; 119:140 • True — Psalm 119:160; John 17:17 • Trustworthy — Proverbs 30:5–6 • Perfect — Psalm 19:7 • Effective — Isaiah 55:11 • Powerful — Hebrews 4:12 • Nothing to be taken from or added to — Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32 • For everyone — Romans 16:25–27 • To be obeyed — James 1:22 Although I have used the NIV for many years and still do, I really like the ESV and find it refreshing. I took it to church today. I also like it's cover. At the moment, when I am preaching I still use the NIV. Today I was on eBay and searched for ESV and came across someone selling a hardcover 2001 edition. The person described it as "... wonderful layman's translation but ... found it lacking in some areas ..." I thought it an odd comment. Like scholars don't or won't use it? In contrast, Driscoll said they were changing to the ESV in part because his audience, Seattle, is the most literate and educated in America. BTW, the eBay one was $1.99 opening bid + $5 s/h.