Why The English Standard Version?

Near the end of last year I began using the English Standard Version more frequently as my preaching Bible. While this move may have seemed sudden to some, it actually has been a long time coming. I've been using this translation privately in my studies for several years. In fact, I came very close to switching to the ESV as my primary preaching Bible in 2002. I even wrote a review six years ago about this translation online at Christian Book Distributors. This is what I wrote (and it is still there at http://www.christianbook.com/):

Reviewed by Rev. Dan Rolfe (Rocky Mount, NC), April 01, 2002
Finally! The translation I have been waiting for has arrived. With accuracy to match the NAS and readability equal to the NIV, the ESV is exactly what I've been looking for. As a minister, the "thought-for-thought" rendering of the NIV has never been a personal favorite of mine, but I have used it for years because it reads with much more ease from the pulpit than the NKJV or the NAS. Now I won't have to sacrifice literal accuracy anymore. I truly hope the ESV becomes the standard for this generation of Christians. I highly recommend the ESV to all who are serious about the Word.


So what took so long for me to begin using it from the pulpit? Did I change my mind? No, but even though I loved the translation, I was curious to see if the ESV would become widely accepted by other evangelicals. It did. You can check out http://www.esv.org/ and see for yourself who endorses it. I also hesitated back in 2002 because I have this (perhaps sinful) resistance to jumping on bandwagons. For example, Prayer of Jabez mania (remember the mugs, t-shirts, bracelets, paperweights?) was long over before I even read the book. I didn't think the ESV was going to be like this, but my natural inclination caused me to be overly cautious. It turns out my hesitancy was totally unnecessary. The ESV is widely accepted and is quickly becoming the standard for many Christians. Including me. I still highly recommend it - and I am eagerly awaiting the ESV Study Bible (available later this year) because several theologians I greatly respect, such as J.I. Packer and Wayne Grudem, were involved in this project.

So there you have it (for any who have been curious), the reason why I have "gone public" with my use of the ESV!