The New American Standard Version

The Preface to the New American Standard Bible, published in 1963, states that, "In most instances the 23^rd edition of the Nestle Greek New Testament was followed." Dr. Frank Logsdon, former pastor of Moody Memorial Church, along with Dewey Lockman (The Lockman Foundation), laid the groundwork for this modern version. After its publication, questions by friends caused Dr. Logsdon to examine the translation closely. The following is his renunciation of every attachment to the NASB. This renunciation takes on added meaning since the NIV and NASB used the Nestle/Aland Text in the revision process and many changes are common to both.

"I must under God renounce every attachment to the New American Standard Version. I’m afraid I’m in trouble with the Lord…We laid the groundwork; I wrote the format; I helped interview some of the translators; I sat with the translator; I wrote the preface…I’m in trouble; I can’t refute these arguments; it’s wrong, terribly wrong; it’s frighteningly wrong and what am I going to do about it…"When questions began to reach me at first I was quite offended…I used to laugh with others…However, in attempting to answer, I began to sense that something was not quite right in the New American Standard Version. I can no longer ignore these criticisms I am hearing and I can’t refute them . . . the deletions are absolutely frightening . . . there are so many . . . Are we so naïve that we do not suspect Satanic deception in all of this?

"Upon investigation, I wrote my very dear friend, Mr. Lockman, explaining that I was forced to renounce all attachments to the NASV. The product is grievous to my heart and helps to complicate matters in these already troublous times…I don’t want anything to do with it…The finest leaders we have today…haven’t gone into it [the new versions’ use of a corrupted Greek text], just as I hadn’t gone into it…that’s how easily one can be deceived…I’m going to talk to him [Dr. George Sweeting, president of Moody Bible Institute] about these things…You can say the Authorized Version (KJV) is absolutely correct…100% correct…I believe the Spirit of God led the translators of the Authorized Version. If you must stand against everyone else, stand." (39)