Holman Bible Response

In response to Chester Carlisle’s letter to the editor about the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), we appreciate Carlisle’s concerns and want to assure him and all readers of our sincere desire to assist churches by incorporating the HCSB into the fall curriculum, while awaiting release of the full Bible next spring. Many Southern Baptist churches are eagerly anticipating completion of the full translation and are embracing the completed New Testament as the first new translation in three decades made directly from the original biblical languages.

The HCSB merges the crucial benefits of accuracy and readability — preserving the wording of the original biblical languages and upholding the inerrancy of Scripture. More than 90 conservative scholars are working on the translation. Because the completed New Testament is an excellent resource for serious Bible study and personal and public reading of Scripture, it is gaining popularity.

Readers loyal to one translation because of its readability or to another translation because of its accuracy are finding the HCSB an excellent resource that combines both strengths. But new translations take time to gain acceptance.

LifeWay’s purpose in using the HCSB in our curriculum is to give our readers the opportunity to read and use the new translation that in time, we believe, will become widely used.

In fact, LifeWay curriculum users have the unique opportunity to preview portions of the Old Testament before the entire Old Testament is published — an exclusive opportunity. This is in no way intended to force a new translation on anyone but to provide the opportunity to use one of the most accurate and readable translations in history.

Rob Phillips

LifeWay Christian Resources