1. Awhile back, some good folks over at @LifeWay ( @TrevinWax) sent me several versions of the CSB. Though I do have some minor qualms w/ translation, it has become my primary translation in both preaching & Soul Care/Counseling for several reasons. I’ll list a few reasons below.

2. The CSB is a formal equivalency rather than dynamic equivalency like NIV. Formal translations seek to translate text based upon a more literal approach while “dynamic” seeks to translate text in a thought for thought fashion which can lead to theological bias in translation.

3a. Most of my preaching & counseling is done alongside people who may not have English as their first language, are recovering from spiritual abuse within evangelical spaces (that primarily use ESV) and are triggered by the text & language of other translations like NASB & ESV.

3b. CSB uses a more modern English vernacular & with that avoids using some of the language, even theological language, that other translations use that can be triggering for Spiritual abuse survivors or hard to grasp by new believers or ESL Saints. Text is accurate but grounded.

4. Let me give you an example. The first is the ESV & the second is the CSB. As a theologian, I prefer the theologically rich language of the ESV, but some of that language can be triggering for some & in order to understand the text, you need a prior theological education.

5. The last major reason, and I say this as someone who was an artist in a former life, the formatting and aesthetics of the CSB. The CSB Bible’s I’ve had the privilege of using are most visually pleasurable to read.

Pastor’s Bible 1st & Reader’s Bible 2nd.

Single column

6. There is a little too much bleed thru in the Pastor’s Bible, but it is still formatted very well. The CSB Reader’s Bible is better formatted than the ESV Reader tho the ESV does have its multi-volume set which is superb. Not sure, @TrevinWax y’all got a multi-volume set yet?

7. My only gripe with the actual Bible itself is that all the Leather one’s I have are smooth leather & I’m not a fan. I prefer the feel of grainy leather.

Below I’ll post some pics of the Reference Bible which is okay, but once you go Single Column you’ll never go back.

8. At end of day, most of my counselees have exp spiritual abuse & have had Bible weaponized against them. Usually KJV or ESV. When ministering, I want to avoid triggering. I also want to read Word in most commonly understood vernacular while not compromising meaning of words.

9. CSB seeks to be a via media in this realm by calling itself an “optimal Equivalency” translation which essentially means that it sits in the middle of both the formal & dynamic while I think clearing leaning in the Formal direction while applying modern & grounded vernacular.

10. So, w/ all that said, I primarily teach & minister using the CSB translation. When it comes to personal study, I primarily use original languages, NASB, & for Old Testament Adler’s Translation. When it comes to leisure reading, I personally read the ESV’s multi-volume set.