All told the HCSB is a good quality evangelical translation, roughly on par with the TNIV and NLT. They all have their pluses and minuses. I think they do a very good job with Paul and a poor job with the old testament. The biggest problem is the study bibles for the HCSB are not very good.

I was sorry to see your note about the HCSB update being delayed until 2010 – did you get a sense that it was marketing/publishing reasons or to accommodate additional textual revision?

Note: For those interested in Nathan’s specific comments on the HCSB, check this post out.

To be stuck with a version just because it’s what most people seem to be using seems silly to me. Since we have an incredible version such as the HCSB why not help our communities make it into the 21st century with a translation every bit as literal and accurate as the NASB or ESV and every bit as readable as the NIV or the NLT? EVERY time I study for exegesis papers, sermons, Bible studies, personal devotions I try and get into the Greek and compare with the ESV, NIV and HCSB. So far, I’ve seen the HCSB outshining the others 98% of the time (I can only remember one time wondering if that was the way I would translate something and agreed with the NASB in that case).

I often work with international students who have a hard enough time understanding the Bible much less the English of the Bible. The HCSB is by far more helpful to them in understanding the English and the flow of thought. If our communities were all using KJV would we want them to move on? How do you think the NIV became the most popular translation? In 10 years, the HCSB will surpass the NIV as the translation of choice for English speakers.

I’ve written some reasons why on my blog at http://churchethos.wordpress.com. Let me know what you think.

You have to go further off the beaten path for “not a slave”. Every bible meant for liturgical use is written with the English language bible translation tradition heavily in mind. The NEB is pretty interesting in that regard in breaking with it. But to really get out of it is harder. I’d say Gaus for the NT and I haven’t found an OT I like yet that stays outside the tradition, I’ve heard good things about Fox.

I just want want a translation faithful to the original text (I have no original languages skills), written in good English, is not a slave to previous translations, and will be around for the forseeable future.

I’m not affiliated with the SBC and haven’t been a fan of denomination-specific translations, but I’ve been using the HCSB for many of the same reasons. I’ve found it to be a very NIV-friendly translation while still being a little more theologically formal.

Troll much?