In this episode of Mama Bear Apologetics, we discuss all things bible translations — Formal, Functional, and Optimal. We also explore the difference between a translations and paraphrases. We delve into the historical sacrifices made by early translators to bring the Bible into the English language and offer guidance on choosing translations that foster faith and understanding, especially for children and new believers.

We dissect the balance between literal accuracy and readability, as well as the pros and cons of each type of translation or paraphrase. And we also address the much asked question "What translation do we use at Mama Bear Apologetics?" Finally, we address the "KJV Only" movement — what is it, how should we approach it, and what is the historical context that should come to bear on the topic. This episode invites listeners to broaden their understanding of bible translations and their historical context so that the power and clarity of God's word is not lost in translation.

• How did we get our translations?
• Broad categories for translation types
• Translations vs Paraphrase
• What are the pros and cons of each?
• What to consider in buying a bible for your Kids
• Should you only read the KJV translation?

People and Resources People and Resources Mentioned

• Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia
• Leningrad Codex
• Aleppo Codex
• United Bible Societies Greek NT
• Novum Testament Graece

• Formal Equivalence (Literal Equivalence) Translations: Word for Word as much as possible. This translation seeks to find an English equivalent word for every Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic word.
• Functional Equivalence (Dynamic Equivalence) Translations: Though for thought as much as possible. This translations translates a phrase as a whole and is not as concerned with preserving the exact same number of words or equivalent grammatical constructions.
• Optimal Equivalence: This is a blend of both Formal and Functional translation styles. This form uses word for word translation where possible, but switches to thought/phrase whenever the meaning isn’t clear.
• Paraphrase: This is not a true translation, but rather a retelling of Scripture based on original texts and/or modern translations. It often uses the most common modern idioms.

This episode is made possible in part by the support of Summit Ministries. Our hope, like yours, is that your children will grow up to develop an unshakeable faith, to be followers of Jesus Christ and live out His call on their lives in a way that brings God’s glory and flourishing. That's one of the reasons we love Summit. Summit takes biblical worldview training and makes it seriously fun. If you have a child between the ages of sixteen to twenty-two, send them to a two week conference in Colorado or Georgia this summer. Save $200 when you use the code ROAR24–and another $200 if you register before March 31st. Register today at summit.org/roar/

Every mother's prayer journey is unique, yet bound by a common thread of seeking God's guidance through the chaos and beauty of raising children. Julie and Hillary, walk through the pages of "Honest Prayers for Mama Bears," a new book birthed from the depths of maternal hearts and a collaboration that spans the nation. We reveal the sometimes raw, unpolished dialogues with God that range from the humorous pleas of wanting to use the bathroom in peace to the heartfelt petitions of a mother facing a miscarriage.

Hillary and Julie, alongside voices from the Mama Bear community, crafted a tapestry of prayers that we hope speaks to the soul of motherhood. Our conversation takes you behind the scenes of this unique creative process, emphasizing the importance of authenticity as we addressed delicate subjects like addiction and family dynamics. Poring over every word, we ensured that our prayers resonated with truth and relevance, offering a lifeline of hope and solidarity for mothers everywhere.

As we share personal insights and practical tips for integrating prayer into the daily grind, "Honest Prayers for Mama Bears" is more than just a book—it's a spiritual companion for every season of motherhood. From fill-in-the-blank prompts to theological expertise, we've poured into this project with a shared goal: to empower mothers to foster honest, heartfelt communication with God, and to support one another as we navigate this transformative journey called motherhood. We hope it blesses you!

Pre-order the book now at mamabearapologetics.com/book

• Why did we write this book?
• The difference between Honest and Shallow prayers.
• Creating a collective voice from moms
• Prayer book creation process
• How to use this book
• Honest journaling
• Our favorite, most convicting and hardest to write prayers

People and Resources Mentioned

• Every Moment Holy - Douglas McKelvie
• Honest Prayers for Mama Bears

Thanks to Our Sponsors

This episode is made possible in part by the support of Summit Ministries. Our hope, like yours, is that your children will grow up to develop an unshakeable faith, to be followers of Jesus Christ and live out His call on their lives in a way that brings God’s glory and flourishing. That's one of the reasons we love Summit. Summit takes biblical worldview training and makes it seriously fun. If you have a child between the ages of sixteen to twenty-two, send them to a two week conference in Colorado or Georgia this summer. Learn more at summit.org/roar/. Save $200 when you use the code ROAR24–and another $200 if you register before March 31st. Register today at summit.org/roar/

Quotable Quotes

“I think sometimes learning how to do honest prayers often starts with shallow prayers. And so I just want to give mom's permission to pray the shallow prayers, if that's where you are starting." - Hillary Morgan Ferrer

"We made it. We're not saying it's perfect, but... our heart's desire was to make sure that these prayers were Theologically sound." - Hillary Morgan Ferrer

"I know I thought back on what were some of the times that really drove me to prayer, maybe as a younger mom, as a mom of a teenager, and then even now. I had some opportunities to write some prayers that maybe approach more being a mom of an adult child too, because that's a whole other season there." - Julie Loos

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries, as we explore the vital connection between a biblical worldview and the flourishing of science, justice, and compassion in society. Listen in as we tackle the myth that Christianity is at odds with scientific progress and uncover how faith has been a driving force behind some of the most significant advancements in history. We also counter common misconceptions about Christian indifference toward life post-birth, justice, and environmental concerns, showcasing how Christian teachings have been integral to shaping a world where every life is valued and cared for.

We discuss the Christian belief in the sanctity of human life and how this has translated into actions that shaped the foundations of adoption, healthcare, and social justice. The role of Christians in art, science, politics, and education is highlighted, revealing an often unrecognized legacy that continues to nurture human dignity and freedom.

Finally, we address the crucial task of empowering our children with the skills to critically assess the worldviews they encounter. Learn how asking insightful questions can guide our children towards critical thinking, discernment, and an appreciation for diverse perspectives. Discover how to equip the next generation with the ability to sift through information with wisdom, and join us as we stand together as Mama Bears, committed to nurturing and defending the truth for our families and communities.

• How have Christianity and Christians historically impacted the world?
• How have Christians historically been pro-life advocates?
• How have Christians stood for justice over the course of history?
• How is the biblical worldview distinctly different than other worldviews?
• How do we engage with kids who are coming home from college with questions or new ideological thoughts?

People and Resources Mentioned

• John 8:32
• Daniel Kahneman: Thinking Fast and Slow
• Truth Changes Everything by Dr. Jeff Meyers
• Summit Ministries

• Working Definition of Justice: The idea that we are to treat every person as an image bearer of God.
• Tort Law: The concept of tort law is to redress a wrong done to a person and provide relief from the wrongful acts of others.
• String Theory: string theory is a theoretical framework in which the point-like particles of particle physics are replaced by one-dimensional objects called strings.

This episode is made possible in part by the support of Summit Ministries. Our hope, like yours, is that your children will grow up to develop an unshakeable faith, to be followers of Jesus Christ and live out His call on their lives in a way that brings God’s glory and flourishing. That’s one of the reasons we love Summit. Summit takes biblical worldview training and makes it seriously fun. If you have a child between the ages of sixteen to twenty-two, send them to a two week conference in Colorado or Georgia this summer. Learn more at summit.org/roar/. Save $200 when you use the code ROAR24–and another $200 if you register before March 31st. Register today at summit.org/roar/

The post 99. How Christianity Changed the World for the Better. appeared first on Mama Bear Apologetics.

Summary In this episode, Amy Davison and Alexa Cramer examine the Enneagram’s influence on faith and family. They question the Enneagram’s purported ability to peel back layers to our ‘true self’ and the implications it has on how we interpret Scripture, raise our children, and understand our own identities. They explore how it stands apart […]

The post 98. Crash Course in the Enneagram appeared first on Mama Bear Apologetics.

Summary In this episode, Hillary and Amy address four different types of love in-depth — Agape (unconditional, self-sacrificial love), Storge (familial love), Phileo (strong friendship love), and Eros (sexual attraction). They stress how each type of love is different from the other and should not be confused. Hillary and Amy also discuss how today’s culture […]

The post 97. The Four Types of Love and Why Our Kids Need to Understand Them appeared first on Mama Bear Apologetics.

Summary The hardest conversations to have often aren’t with strangers, but with our own family, especially when it comes to hot-button issues like a woman’s right to an elective abortion. In this podcast, mama bear Jennifer DeFrates chats with host Amy Davison on how to speak with truth and grace on the subject of abortion […]

The post Episode 96. How to Discuss Pro-Life Arguments with Friends and Family appeared first on Mama Bear Apologetics.

Summary In this impromptu podcast, Hillary and Amy wished the Mama Bears a Happy New Year and a challenge: to focus on discipling the home in spiritual faithfulness. In the past 5 years a focused attack has been waged on societal unity and the sanctity of the home. Secular culture has focused on vilifying the […]

The post Episode 95. Family-Focused Resolutions for 2024 appeared first on Mama Bear Apologetics.

This is the third podcast in our Advent 2023 series. Did you miss the third one about “Joy to the World”? You can watch it here. Summary As we close out the season of advent, we reflect upon the theme of love. Acts of love quickly come to mind at Christmas in the form of […]

The post Episode 94. Advent 4: The Theology of Hark the Herald Angels Sing appeared first on Mama Bear Apologetics.

This is the third podcast in our Advent 2023 series. Did you miss the second one about “O Holy Night”? You can watch it here. Summary If there’s one word that can sum up the Christmas season it’s joy! But while the world offers superficial excitement over presents or food, Christians have ultimate joy in […]

The post Episode 93. Advent 3: The Theology of Joy to the World appeared first on Mama Bear Apologetics.

This is the second podcast in our Advent 2023 series. Did you miss the first one about “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”? You can watch it here. Summary Peace can seem hard to find during the Christmas season when our eyes and schedules are filled with the bustle of the season. However, when we focus […]

The post Episode 92. Advent 2: The Theology of O Holy Night appeared first on Mama Bear Apologetics.