Freethought & Rationalism Archive

mikem · 03-11-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exile

The King James Bible is one of the two or three greatest collections of English Literature (along with Milton and Shakespeare). That owes more to the translators of the time, who turned the bible into majestic and poetic English, than to the original material.

Nevertheless the Old Testament is a monumental achievement as the saga of a Near Eastern people over many centuries of a struggle to survive.

The New Testament is less satisfactory, the epistles are fascinating as illustrating the beginnings of Christian belief and the early Church, the gospels are contradictory and in the case of John, overly mystical, while Revelation is a piece of satire so heavily disguised as a fantasy that religious cranks have had a field day with it ever since.

I would agree with most of what you have said actually. But credit where credit is due. The King James Bible has a predecessor in the translations of William Tyndale, and Tyndale's translation was adapted in many parts. But yes, the King James Bible is one of the glories of English literature, and so many of it's phrases have found their way into common usage. As for the New Testament, the opening to the Gospel of John is nicely cadenced in the KJB, as is 1 Corinthians 13: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal".

And just to think, it was produced by a commitee!

Chili · 03-11-2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamera

I disagree. It's almost all narrative. It has very little theology in it. It has attracted theological commentary, and we now view the bible through that lens, but remember, there was a time when there was no commentary and all the audience had where these ambiguous difficult stories.

I think a case can be made that the Book of Jonah is one of the most perfect, most elusive and affecting short stories ever written. The author was a genius.

Jonah is Beautiful but I like the intricate weave between the Gospels best. BTW, it is the only OT book I read to see what the sign of Jonah was like and I hope for the fundies that whales never go extinct.

The bible is written from noetic vision and theologians have hyletic vision. These two are miles apart and is where the KJV takes the cake.

Chili · 03-11-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikem

I1 Corinthians 13: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal".

And just to think, it was produced by a commitee!

That line missed the mark by two because angels do not speak but humans can speak and they can speak angelic as man. Human language is earthly while angelic language is heavenly and thus not human.

Doug Shaver · 03-11-2007, 09:17 PM

I don't know how "great literature" can be defined without a lot of question-begging.

I have no problem considering it a work of literature. It is also, probably, the most influential work of literature ever produced. That alone, I would suggest, makes it great in some useful sense.

But if "great" must imply "good," then I think there is considerable room for debate.

Chili · 03-11-2007, 09:22 PM

They are nice lines but we should not be baffled by them. I think that a bible must be poetic first so that the metaphor speaks louder then the line itself.

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03-11-2007, 09:17 PM	#44
Doug Shaver Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Bernardino, Calif. Posts: 5,435	I don't know how "great literature" can be defined without a lot of question-begging. I have no problem considering it a work of literature. It is also, probably, the most influential work of literature ever produced. That alone, I would suggest, makes it great in some useful sense. But if "great" must imply "good," then I think there is considerable room for debate.

03-11-2007, 09:22 PM	#45
Chili Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Alberta Posts: 11,885	They are nice lines but we should not be baffled by them. I think that a bible must be poetic first so that the metaphor speaks louder then the line itself.

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