Synod 2008 designated the New Living Translation (NLT) of the Bible as one of the versions acceptable for use in Christian Reformed worship services.
The NLT was accepted “with reservations” because its tendency to paraphrase sometimes obscures the original text, according to the committee that reviewed the translation.
“The New Living Translation could be particularly appropriate for congregations with a majority of new believers [because of] its clear, contemporary style and avoidance of archaism and complex theological terminology,” the report stated. “When employed for Bible study, we would suggest that the NLT be used as a translation alongside one or more other recognized translations.”
About the Author
Roxanne VanFarowe is a freelance writer who claims both Canadian and American citizenship and grew up in the Christian Reformed Church. She is a member of Blacknall Presbyterian Church in Durham, North Carolina.
