Definition: The Living Bible is a paraphrased version of the Bible in English, published in 1971 by Kenneth N. Taylor. It aims to present biblical content in modern, accessible language for general readers, particularly younger audiences and those unfamiliar with traditional biblical terminology.
Overview: The Living Bible was developed by Kenneth N. Taylor, a Christian editor and publisher, as a personal project to help his children understand the Bible more easily. It is not a direct translation from original biblical languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) but rather a paraphrase based primarily on the American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901. The work was published by Tyndale House Publishers and became widely popular in evangelical Christian communities during the 1970s and 1980s for its readability and clear expression of biblical narratives.
Despite its popularity, The Living Bible has been subject to criticism by biblical scholars for its interpretive nature, which may reflect the theological perspective of the author and sometimes diverge from the original texts. As a result, many modern readers and scholars prefer more formal translations such as the New International Version (NIV), which later evolved from efforts to create a more accurate, scholarly translation while maintaining readability.
Etymology/Origin: "The Living Bible" derives its name from the concept of Scripture as a dynamic, relevant, and spiritually active text in readers' lives, often referencing the biblical idea that "the word of God is alive and active" (Hebrews 4:12). The term "living" emphasizes the belief that the Bible is not a static document but one that speaks meaningfully to contemporary readers.
Characteristics:
- Published in 1971.
- Presented as a complete paraphrase rather than a formal translation.
- Written entirely by Kenneth N. Taylor in non-scholarly language.
- Uses contemporary English to convey the meaning rather than the exact wording of the source texts.
- Organized into 18 sections and 1,300 short chapters, making it easier to read in devotional settings.
- Includes explanatory notes and interpretive expansions, particularly in complex passages.
Related Topics:
- Paraphrase translations of the Bible
- Tyndale House Publishers
- Kenneth N. Taylor
- The Message (another paraphrased Bible version)
- New International Version (NIV), which originated from an effort to produce a more accurate translation while preserving the readability goals of The Living Bible
- American Standard Version (ASV)
- Bible translations into English
Note: In 1996, The Living Bible was succeeded by the New Living Translation (NLT), a more formally rigorous translation that retains the clarity and readability ethos but is based on original language texts and produced by a team of scholars. The NLT is widely used in place of The Living Bible in modern settings.