Preaching from the NLT the last couple of years deserves some thoughts. I explained why I switched to it here, and those thoughts still ring true. My posts were pretty heavy the last few weeks, so here is something more light hearted and fun. I love reading, studying, and teaching the Bible. So to talk about a translation is loads of fun. About every 10 years I switched what I use for my main translation. I’ve used the NIV, NASB, and ESV all for about 10 years. The last two years I used the the NLT. It is a great translation.

A hard change

My preference is a more formal equivalent translation. It makes developing preaching points and outlines much much easier. For example, in Ephesians 4-6 Paul uses the concept of “walk” but in the NLT it translates the idiom as “live.” Functional equivalent translations means you need more effort in developing your sermon outlines. Outlines should flow from Scripture, and when you are used to a formal translation, this takes more effort when using a functional translation.

An easy change

The difference between using a functional translation over a formal translation is you don’t have to explain the text as much. This gives you more preaching time as you don’t have to explain the English. (That’s a HUGE reason why I say the KJV should be retired!) Using our Ephesians example, when preaching about how we walk as an idiom, we still have to explain the idiom. “When Paul uses the term walk, he is talking about how we should live.” Using the NLT I can get to what Pauls is communicating much faster.

Time maters

In a college class a professor was often needing more time. The professor also insisted on using the KJV. I started timing how much time he invested in explaining the KJV English to only land on what the NASB said. Average time per class: 20 minutes! Do not let the English get in the way in teaching the Bible. This takes some getting used to, but over all it is a good thing. When I get frustrated with the NLT I realized that how it is translated is what I get to as an explanation.

Smooth

The translation team did a great job taking complex greek or Hebrew structures and bringing the to an easily understood and communicates reading. My frustrations with the NLT caused me to dig deeper into the Greek or Hebrew text and I’m left impressed with the work of the translation team. As with all translations, there are times I wished they went another direction. But this smoothness is not a hindrance to deep expository preaching. It will force you to be on top of your game.

Not for deep study

The NLT is a reading and preaching translation, not for a deep dive into a passage. For inductive Bible study, I still believe the NASB is a more helpful translation. My core belief is that people should utilize multiple transactions, especially if they do not have training in Greek or Hebrew. I bring out the NLT later in my study and then from there develop my preaching outline. Expository preaching should be built on solid inductive Bible study, but preaching should be clear communication of what the text means so I can live and proclaim it.

Being accurate on accuracy

It can be argued that a functional translation is more accurate than a formal translation. Accuracy is how well the translation reflects the original writings, which is in Greek and Hebrew. Getting tripped up in the English can create accuracy issues. (Again, a big reason why the KJV needs retirement.) “Word for word” is not a guarantee for accuracy. I am not saying the NLT is the most accurate translation. Translations are tools to access the inspired text and they are inspired/useful in that that accurately represent the inspired, inerrant text. Is word order or meaning the most best gage for accuracy? I would lean towards meaning because unless someone understands what they are reading, how can they apply it?

My two year conclusion

Honestly, I wish I switched to the NLT sooner. The translation team did an excellent job, and the readability of it is huge.  The transition to the NLT has struggles because of patterns I developed over 20 years using a formal equivalent translation. Being jostled is not a bad thing, it forces you do dig deeper into Scripture. That’s a very good thing. My concerns with accuracy consistently leave me impressed with the translation team’s work. The NLT is a worthy translation that a pastor should consider for his preaching translation.