In this episode of the Faith Between Sundays podcast, Thomas and DJ explore where the Bible came from, how it was formed, and why there are so many different translations. Building off the previous episode on Christian denominations, they explain how Scripture was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, and how it was later translated as Christianity spread into new cultures and languages.

The conversation walks through the history of Bible manuscripts, including the Septuagint, the Latin Vulgate, and the eventual translation of the Bible into English. They discuss the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and why those manuscripts strengthened confidence in the reliability of Scripture rather than undermining it. The hosts emphasize that new translations exist not because God’s Word has changed, but because language, scholarship, and historical understanding continue to develop.

Thomas and DJ explain the difference between word-for-word and thought-for-thought translations, showing how both approaches can be faithful while serving different purposes. They highlight how Jesus Himself quoted translated Scripture and how certain Hebrew expressions make more sense when rendered by meaning rather than literal wording. This helps listeners understand why no single English translation can fully capture the original languages on its own.

The episode also addresses how the Bible was assembled, why the Protestant Bible contains sixty-six books, and how early Christians recognized Scripture through authorship, consistency, and widespread use. They briefly touch on the Apocrypha, clarifying why those writings were read historically but not treated as Scripture in the same way by Jesus and the apostles.

As the discussion turns to modern translations, the hosts talk honestly about the strengths and limitations of well-known versions, including the King James Version and newer translations. They encourage listeners to look at the integrity, goals, and scholarly teams behind translations rather than searching for a single “perfect” Bible. The episode closes with practical encouragement to read Scripture regularly, use helpful tools to compare translations, and remember that the best Bible translation is the one you will actually read.

___

Got Questions? Email them to questions@faith-ag.com

Listen and Watch on:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG0sHCgRhSY&list=PLWAnYCne12NPSsGIfIFjnu6EEh4K55jQZ
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3UpSn9dlU1VrRJScMzdKcU
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/faith-between-sundays/id1860058672
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/1faa1943-c6cb-406a-80c0-9fc6511ee0b0/faith-between-sundays

___Want to learn more about this topic?

• Fragments of Truth - documentary film