True for most stuff, with some exceptions of some anti-torah bias I've seen across most translations like parts in Revelation which translate Greek "the commandments" as "righteousness" and some possible anti-polygamy bias we've discussed here at BF. That's a narrow focus though that most won't be affected by. That said @Pacman English speakers are super lucky to have so many tools accessible in our language for bible study (parallel bibles and such Andrew mentioned).@Pacman, you're not off base. It's good to have a little humility approaching new languages, and to realize you'll inevitably go through the 'tyro' phase in which you think you know a lot more than you do, and it's good to be patient and just keep studying and learning.
That said, my points didn't really depend on any nuanced understanding of Greek vocabulary. Studying other English translations will open your mind to the general idea that unless you were born a native Greek speaker 2000 years ago, we're all just doing the best we can with the tools we have, and that's good for humility, too.
My suggestion (looks like it's a little out of sync with some of the other advice you've received, but that's okay) is that you begin by focusing more on comparative study with different English translations. Find a good printed parallel bible, or use one of the many suggested computer bible programs (I prefer e-sword to online resources, but do your own evaluation) to compare different translations, including at least the AV, a modern translation, and a 'literal' translation, and let that drive the 'why' questions (why did this translation use this word and that translation used that word? what difference (if any) does it make?), and let the why questions drive your (limited) Greek study.
What you'll end up with is a good feel for what is the 'main and plain' in scripture (the stuff the translators pretty much agree on, or where the minute differences don't matter) and what is 'the weeds', the different positions driven by different assumptions, points of view, and academic issues, the arguing over which may or may not be the best use of your time.
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
I think I like your "church English" classification for the King James flavor
@Pacman if you have an interest for the biblical languages, focus on Hebrew, that's what most revelation came down in anyway and it's mighty powerful in the psalms and quite a bit easier to break into than Greek. Also if you ever decide to go Greek the New Testament Greek is "Hebrew mangled" anyway so you'll be glad to have the Hebrew foundation under the hood.
Regarding tools, I gotta mention Bible works and Logos again (I know I did in another thread somewhere). For anyone who is willing to invest in their bible study those programs kick the crap out of any free tools out there. Bibleworks 10, recently closed shop but on their message boards there's a pastor who bought several copies selling them at cost. I think it's like $200 which is CRAZY for the tools included in that software (it was closer to $500 just a few months ago).
Yes, this is why the only modern big shot Greek scholar behind the Majority text (King Jimmy base) is Robinson.Has anyone here done much research on the two different bibles that have been translated into english? Essentially the KJV, the Bishop’s Bible, and the Geneva Bible are translations of the Received Text and all other translations are from Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus.
Edit: just realized the title of the thread, feel free to move this post to a more appropriate place if need be.
The uber-majority (yeah they are uber drivers ) of Greek scholars from all denominations fall in behind Sinaiticus and Vaticanus
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