Why Clarity Matters: Inside the Easy to Understand Read Bible (EUR) Project

"Why is he contacting me? There is no reason for another translation! He better not try to rewrite the Bible into what HE wants it to say. I am so tired of people making God into their own image."  

That was my first thought when Dan Parr, a former voice actor, messaged me about coming on the show to share that he had written a new Bible translation: the Easy-to-Understand Read Bible (EUR). I was very skeptical and needed to pray about having this guy on the show.

If you have followed my spiritual journey at all, you have heard that I come from a legalistic background. I have been deconstructing and rebuilding my faith, so this was poor timing for me to get this kind of email, since I was still having a spiritual hangover because of all the wolves in sheep's clothing lately.

After much prayer and vetting, I felt at peace about inviting him on the show.

Dan didn't get away scot-free from my skepticism, however. I told him at the beginning of the episode that I had doubts about introducing a new translation into the world, and he was gracious about it and, throughout the episode, reminded me and others that skepticism is healthy.

Scripture is sacred, and for many of us, the idea of changing it feels unsettling.

But what if God calls someone to make His Word clearer for people who stopped reading because it felt too hard to understand? How should we who are strong in the faith and set in our ways respond?

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A Calling, Not a Career Move

Dan didn’t set out to create a new Bible version as a business idea — it was a calling that unfolded through struggle and obedience. He shares how it started with his mother's difficult pregnancy with him, doctors’ warnings, and a family that chose to trust God anyway.

That season planted a deep sense of purpose in him — a conviction that every word matters.

Years later, after losing his job and wondering what was next, Dan, who had a background in radio and voice work, felt God whisper something unexpected:

“Record Scripture.”

There were just a few problems Dan had with this call from God. Although the King James Version was beautiful, it was also hard to read and for modern listeners to take in, plus copyright laws made other translations off-limits.

How was he going to do it?

Dan stepped out in faith and began creating a translation that ordinary people could actually understand — one that stayed faithful to the truth while removing unnecessary barriers. That’s how the Easy-to-Understand Read Bible (EUR) was born.

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Collaboration Across Generations

What’s so special about Dan’s process is how collaborative it was, not just with people, but with the generations of believers who came before him. He began with the public-domain World English Bible, carefully checking every verse against principal translations and trusted commentaries. His heart wasn’t to “modernize” Scripture, but to make sure readers could finally hear it and grasp it without confusion.

This was his plan:

• Choose simple, precise phrasing

• Explain ancient terms directly in-line

• Preserve profound theology without unnecessary complexity

Because of his background in voice acting, Dan read everything aloud as he translated, thinking that if it didn’t sound right to the ear, it probably wouldn’t land on the heart.

That small decision made a big difference. In today’s world, where so many people listen to the Bible while commuting, cooking, or caring for kids:

“A clear voice can carry hope into the busiest day.”

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When Skepticism Is Holy

Dan doesn’t run from skepticism — he welcomes it.
He calls it a Berean mindset: test everything. Compare everything. Dan says not to take his word for it; take it back to Scripture.

When Dan decided to read his translation for me, he started by reading the story of the widow’s mite from the book of Mark in the King James Version first —I have to be honest, it was hard to listen to. The "thee's" and "thou's" were hard to handle, but the KJV does deliver the bible in a poetic cadence, if you are into that.
Dan's translation followed, and it did not disappoint! The EUR expresses the same truth in simple, clear language: that generosity isn’t measured in amount, but in sacrifice.

That’s what makes the EUR powerful — it doesn’t change the message, it clarifies it.

“Simplifying truth isn’t dumbing it down. It’s lowering the ladder so more people can climb.”

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Facing Backlash, Finding Validation

Of course, not everyone cheered at first —understandably so. Dan remembers the doubts, the questions, and the quiet eye rolls that came with doing something that looked “too bold.” Over time, fruit began to show.

One listener — raised on the KJV but drawn into New Age spirituality — heard John’s Gospel in the EUR and said:

“I get it now.”

That’s why clarity matters, because when someone finally hears Scripture, understanding often leads to transformation.

For new believers, tired parents, or those who’ve been hurt by church but still long for Jesus, an accessible, audio-forward Bible can become the open door back to faith. 

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Why Accessibility Matters Today

We live in an age of information overload and short attention spans. People are spiritually curious — but often overwhelmed, and that’s where projects like the EUR step in: bridging the gap between hunger and understanding.

Dan’s translation choices balance history with honesty:

• Archaic words vs. relatable modern ones

• Ancient units vs. helpful conversions

• Traditional rhythm vs. direct, heartfelt flow

As Dan says, quoting Einstein:

“Make it as simple as possible, but no simpler.”

That’s the heartbeat of the EUR — fidelity with welcome—faithfulness with accessibility.

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From Vision to Practice

Today, the Easy-to-Understand Read Bible is available on Amazon and Audible, both in print and audio.
You can start small — listen to a single Gospel or compare a few verses with your favorite study Bible.

Churches, Bible studies, and families are encouraged to:

• Read passages side-by-side with their preferred translations

• Use the EUR in devotionals or small groups

• Try the audio version for those who struggle to read

Because this project isn’t about replacing the Bible you already love — it’s about helping more people love it again.

 

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A Clear Voice for a Noisy World

What Dan created isn’t just another translation — it’s a reminder that clarity is compassion.
In a world full of noise, a faithful voice can cut through confusion and say, “Here’s Jesus — clearly.”

“When someone hears Scripture and says, ‘I get it now,’ heaven rejoices.”

If you’re curious, listen to a sample of the Easy-to-Understand Read Bible on Audible. Maybe, like that listener Dan met, you’ll hear familiar words with fresh understanding—and feel God’s love speak right where you are.

Sometimes, all it takes to rediscover faith is hearing God’s Word in a language your heart can understand.

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