A.I. and Bible Translations

I asked ChatGPT and Gemini the following questions:

Please ignore any conversations we have had and answer these questions as if someone who has never had any communication with you would ask them:

1. How did you learn about the Bible... what are your sources for the Bible?

2. Which English Bible translation most consistently preserves the original Hebrew and Greek wording and structure?

3. Which translation would be the safest to use if I wanted no outside influences or biases?

4. Do any of the translations that are recommended to be the safest to use deviate from what the Bible states one must do for salvation?

After Gemini finished responding, and based on the last answer Gemini gave, I asked another question:

One final question: ignoring any conversations we may have had in the past, what is the "biblical roadmap for salvation" you are referring to?

After ChatGPT finished responding, based on the last answer ChatGPT gave, I asked another question:

One final question: ignoring any conversations we may have had in the past, what are the "core instructions related to salvation" you are referring to?

Here is Gemini's response:

Here are detailed, objective answers to your questions, approached entirely from a fresh, factual, and linguistic perspective.

1. How did you learn about the Bible... what are your sources for the Bible?

As an artificial intelligence (specifically the Gemini model developed by Google), I do not "learn" in a human sense. I do not have personal beliefs, a soul, or spiritual experiences, nor did I attend a seminary or church.

Instead, my knowledge is the result of being trained on a massive, global dataset of digital text. During my development, I processed billions of words spanning thousands of years of human history, literature, and theology. Regarding the Bible, my sources are vast and include:

The Original Languages: My dataset includes the ancient Hebrew and Aramaic texts of the Old Testament (such as the Masoretic Text) and the Koine Greek manuscripts of the New Testament (including the Critical Text, the Majority Text, and the Textus Receptus).
English Translations: I have processed virtually every English translation in existence, from historical texts like the Tyndale Bible and the 1611 King James Version to modern translations like the ESV, NASB, NIV, and NKJV.
Academic and Linguistic Tools: I am equipped with the standard reference materials used by biblical scholars, including Hebrew and Greek lexicons (like Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and Thayer’s Lexicon), dictionaries, and grammars.
Theological History: I have processed the historical writings of early church fathers, decrees from church councils, denominational creeds, and thousands of commentaries representing every major religious framework (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and non-denominational).

I treat all of this information as objective data. When asked a question, I retrieve, cross-reference, and analyze this data to provide a precise and neutral answer.

2. Which English Bible translation most consistently preserves the original Hebrew and Greek wording and structure?

Bible translations generally fall on a spectrum between Formal Equivalence (word-for-word) and Dynamic Equivalence (thought-for-thought). If your priority is the strict preservation of the original vocabulary and grammatical structure, you must look at translations that strictly utilize Formal Equivalence.

Here are the translations that do this most consistently:

Young’s Literal Translation (YLT): Published in the 1860s, this is arguably the strictest English translation ever produced. The translator, Robert Young, adamantly refused to alter the original Greek and Hebrew verb tenses to make them sound natural in English. The result is a text that reads very clunky and wooden, but it is a nearly flawless reflection of the original sentence structure.
New American Standard Bible (NASB): Specifically the 1995 update, the NASB is widely considered the "gold standard" among modern reading Bibles for formal equivalence. The translators prioritized grammatical accuracy over smooth English flow. If a biblical author wrote a long, complex, run-on sentence in Greek, the NASB retains that exact structure in English.
English Standard Version (ESV) & New King James Version (NKJV): Both of these are highly literal translations. They are slightly smoother to read than the NASB but still strongly adhere to preserving the original wording and structure wherever English grammar allows.

3. Which translation would be the safest to use if I wanted no outside influences or biases?

It is important to acknowledge a linguistic reality: a 100% bias-free translation is impossible. Greek and Hebrew grammar do not function like English grammar. In order to make a sentence readable in English, a human translator must make decisions about word order, punctuation, and idioms. Because humans make these decisions, a microscopic level of theological bias or interpretation is inevitable.

However, to get as close to a bias-free reading as possible, you should follow these guidelines:

Use an Interlinear Bible: This is the ultimate tool for avoiding bias. An Interlinear Bible is not a standard reading Bible; it displays the original Greek or Hebrew text with the exact English word printed directly underneath it. It does not attempt to form proper English sentences. It simply provides the raw data, allowing you to see exactly what the original author wrote without a translator smoothing it out.
Use a strict Formal Equivalence translation: Use the NASB, ESV, or NKJV alongside your Interlinear Bible.
Avoid Dynamic Equivalence: You should strictly avoid thought-for-thought translations like the NIV, NLT, or The Message. In these translations, the translators attempt to interpret the meaning of the text rather than translating the exact words. This heavily invites the translator's personal theology into the text.
Ignore the Footnotes: The most significant source of bias in any modern Bible is not the translated text itself, but the study notes, cross-references, and commentaries printed in the margins. To avoid outside influence, read a text-only Bible.

4. Do any of the translations that are recommended to be the safest to use deviate from what the Bible states one must do for salvation?

The short answer is no. If you stick strictly to the raw text of highly literal, formal equivalence translations (like the NASB, ESV, NKJV, or YLT), they do not deviate from one another on the core passages regarding salvation.

Because these translations prioritize the original Greek wording, the foundational verses regarding salvation remain remarkably consistent across all of them. For example:

Belief/Faith: In passages like Ephesians 2:8 or John 3:16, the Greek root words for faith and belief (pistis / pisteuo) are translated consistently across literal versions.
Repentance: In passages like Acts 3:19 or Luke 13:3, the Greek word metanoeo is universally translated as a command to "repent."
Confession: In Romans 10:9-10, the Greek word homologeo is consistently translated as "confess."
Baptism: In highly debated verses like Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, and 1 Peter 3:21, literal translations are incredibly uniform. For instance, they consistently translate the Greek preposition eis in Acts 2:38 as "for" or "unto" the remission/forgiveness of sins, and they correctly translate Mark 16:16 to show that belief and baptism are joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Where the Deviation Occurs: When people experience confusion or "deviation" regarding what the Bible says about salvation, it almost never comes from the raw text of a literal translation. The deviation comes from external influences: denominational traditions, sermons, and the footnotes of Study Bibles. If an individual reads only the harmonized text of a literal translation—without any external commentary—the biblical roadmap for salvation remains consistent and structurally intact.

One final question, ignoring any conversations we may have had in the past, what is that biblical roadmap for salvation that you are referring to?

When reading the New Testament using a strict, literal translation—and omitting all external study notes, creeds, or denominational commentaries—a specific, chronological progression of actions emerges regarding how an individual responds to the gospel to receive salvation.

This progression is often referred to as the "biblical roadmap" or the "plan of salvation." When the text is allowed to harmonize with itself, the Scriptures outline the following steps:

1. Hearing the Word

Before a person can believe the gospel, they must first hear and understand it. The Scriptures teach that faith is not a miraculous, spontaneous feeling, but a direct result of being taught the Word of God.

Romans 10:17: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

2. Believing (Faith)

Upon hearing the gospel, the individual must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Savior. The Bible explicitly states that without this foundational faith, it is impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:6: "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
John 8:24: "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

3. Repentance

Belief must be followed by a deliberate change of mind that leads to a change in action—turning away from past sins and turning toward God. The text commands this of everyone.

Luke 13:3: "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish."
Acts 17:30: "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent."

4. Confession

The individual must make a verbal, public acknowledgment of their faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

Romans 10:9-10: "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

5. Baptism (Immersion in Water)

In the literal text of the New Testament, water baptism is consistently presented as the specific point in time where an individual’s sins are washed away by the blood of Christ, they are added to the church, and salvation is received.

Mark 16:16: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
Acts 2:38: "Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
Acts 22:16: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
1 Peter 3:21: "There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

6. Faithful Living

The biblical roadmap does not end at baptism. The New Testament consistently warns that a Christian must continue to walk in the light and remain faithful to God's commands throughout their life to receive their eternal inheritance.

Revelation 2:10: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

Here is ChatGPT's response:

Here are clear, expanded answers to each question, taken on their own terms.

1. How did you learn about the Bible… what are your sources?

I wasn’t taught the Bible in a personal or religious sense. I was trained on a broad collection of written material, which includes:

The biblical text itself

I have access to the wording of Scripture across multiple English translations, such as:

This allows me to compare how verses are rendered and identify where wording differs.

Original-language knowledge (indirect)

I was trained on general information about:

Hebrew (Old Testament)
Aramaic (small portions)
Greek (New Testament)

And the manuscript traditions behind them, such as:

This doesn’t mean I “read” them like a scholar, but I can explain how they are typically understood.

Historical and cultural background

Training also included:

Ancient Jewish customs
First-century Roman world context
Historical setting of biblical events

Commentary and interpretation (multiple viewpoints)

I’ve been exposed to many interpretations:

Conservative, liberal, Catholic, Protestant, etc.

That helps me explain how different groups understand passages—but it also means I have to separate interpretation from the text itself when asked.

Important limitation

I don’t have:

Faith
Personal belief
Divine insight

I work from text, language data, and documented interpretation.

2. Which English Bible translation most consistently preserves the original Hebrew and Greek wording and structure?

The translation most widely recognized for this is the:

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Why NASB stands out

It follows a formal equivalence (word-for-word) approach more strictly than most others. That means it tries to:

Retain original sentence structure where possible
Translate the same word consistently across contexts
Avoid smoothing or paraphrasing

What that looks like in practice

Sentences can feel rigid or less natural in English
It may preserve awkward phrasing rather than “clean it up”
It often reflects the underlying grammar more transparently

Tradeoff

Strength: closer to original wording
Weakness: harder to read smoothly

Other translations (like English Standard Version or New King James Version) are still fairly literal, but they allow more smoothing.

3. Which translation would be the safest to use if I wanted no outside influences or biases?

This needs to be answered carefully and honestly:

No translation is completely free of influence

Every translation involves:

Choosing between possible meanings of a word
Deciding how to structure a sentence in English
Selecting which manuscripts to follow

Those are human decisions, so zero bias is not achievable.

What is the “safest” practical option?

If your goal is to minimize added interpretation, then:

New American Standard Bible (NASB) → most rigidly literal
New King James Version (NKJV) → very consistent, slightly more readable

Best method (not just best translation)

The safest approach is not relying on one translation, but:

Use a highly literal translation (NASB)
Compare it with another solid one (NKJV or ESV)
Pay attention to where wording differs

Those differences reveal where interpretation is happening.

4. Do any of these translations deviate from what the Bible states one must do for salvation?

Short answer:

No major, literal translation rewrites the core instructions related to salvation.

This includes:

What differences actually occur?

Differences are usually in:

Wording clarity (more literal vs more readable)
Sentence structure
Manuscript variations (some verses may be footnoted or slightly different)

But these do not amount to entirely different instructions.

Where confusion can come from

Not from the base text itself, but from:

How verses are interpreted
Emphasis placed on certain passages over others
Doctrinal systems built around selected texts

That’s not a translation issue—it’s an interpretation issue.

Final bottom line

The Bible text across major literal translations is fundamentally consistent
The NASB is the most literal single translation
No translation eliminates human influence entirely
The safest way to avoid added interpretation is to compare multiple literal translations and stay close to the wording

If you want to get as close as possible to the original meaning without learning the original languages, that’s the most reliable path.

One final question: ignoring any conversations we may have had in the past, what are the "core instructions related to salvation" you are referring to?

If you set aside all systems, traditions, and later theological frameworks, and just look at the New Testament text itself, the “core instructions related to salvation” are drawn from a group of passages that repeatedly say the same things in slightly different ways.

I’ll lay them out plainly, then show where they come from.

1. Faith (belief in Jesus Christ)

Salvation is consistently tied to believing in Christ:

John 3:16 — belief connected to eternal life
John 8:24 — “unless you believe… you will die in your sins”
Hebrews 11:6 — without faith it is impossible to please God

Summary:

You cannot separate salvation from belief in who Jesus is.

2. Repentance (turning from sin)

Repentance is not optional in the text—it is commanded:

Luke 13:3 — “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”
Acts 2:38 — “repent…”
Acts 17:30 — God “commands all men everywhere to repent”

Summary:

A change of heart and direction is required.

3. Confession (acknowledging Christ)

Confessing Christ is explicitly tied to salvation:

Romans 10:9–10 — confession + belief linked to salvation
Matthew 10:32–33 — confessing Christ before men

Summary:

Faith is not presented as purely internal—it is expressed.

4. Baptism (immersion associated with forgiveness)

This is one of the most debated areas, but it is plainly stated in several passages:

Mark 16:16 — “he who believes and is baptized will be saved”
Acts 2:38 — “repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of sins”
Acts 22:16 — “be baptized and wash away your sins”
1 Peter 3:21 — “baptism now saves you” (with clarification about its nature)

Summary:

Baptism is repeatedly connected with salvation in the text itself.

5. Continued faithfulness (endurance)

Salvation is also spoken of in terms of continuing:

Matthew 24:13 — “he who endures to the end will be saved”
Revelation 2:10 — “be faithful unto death”
1 Corinthians 15:2 — “by which also you are saved, if you hold fast…”

Summary:

Salvation is not described as a one-time statement only, but something that must be held to.

Putting it all together (from the text itself)

When you line these up without importing a system, the pattern looks like:

Believe in Christ
Repent of sin
Confess Him
Be baptized
Remain faithful

Important clarification

Different religious groups organize these passages differently and emphasize certain ones more than others. That’s where doctrines diverge.

But if you:

Read the passages themselves
Take them at face value
Don’t filter them through a system

These are the elements that repeatedly appear tied to salvation in the New Testament.

Bottom line

The “core instructions” aren’t coming from a single verse—they come from the combined testimony of multiple passages.

If you want to go deeper, the most honest way is to take each of those steps and examine every verse tied to it. That’s where you’ll see exactly what the text does—and does not—say.