Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 06-23-2004, 01:33 PM

Radical new translation makes Bible accessible to unchurched

Quote:

The ONE translation aims at a "new, fresh and adventurous" translation of the early Christian scriptures. It is designed both for mature Christians and for those who have limited experience of traditional Christianity or "may have found it a barrier to an appreciation of Jesus".

. . .

The translation is pioneering in its accessibility, and changes the original Greek and Hebrew nomenclature into modern nicknames. St Peter becomes "Rocky", Mary Magdalen becomes "Maggie", Aaron becomes "Ron", Andronicus becomes "Andy" and Barabbas becomes "Barry".

In other passages the translator John Henson, a retired Baptist minister, renders "demon possession" as "mental illness" and "Son of Man", the phrase used frequently to refer to Jesus, as "the Complete Person".

Parables become "riddles" and to baptise, to "dip" in water. Salvation becomes "healing" or "completeness" and Heaven becomes "the world beyond time and space."

Mr Henson is the translation co-ordinator for ONE, a network of radical Christians that was one of the first organisations in Britain to make the case for "inclusive language", in a 1981 pamphlet Bad Language in Church.

A sample:

Quote:

Matthew 23:25

Authorised version: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"

New version: "Take a running jump, Holy Joes, humbugs!"

More from Matt here.

More on St Paul's sex advice here:

Quote:

Dr Lloyd Pietersen . . said:

"Most Pauline scholars accept that, in 1 Corinthians, Paul quotes opposing views and then refutes them. The quote from 1 Corinthians 7 'It is good for a man not to touch a woman' is widely accepted as being one of these occasions. So, far from being the words of Paul, it represents an opposing view. The One Translation renders this passage in keeping with the consensus view of critical Pauline scholarship."

However, it appears that this version just eliminates St Paul's condemnation of gay sex, which a lot of modern people would like to explain away.

ONE:

Quote:

The One Creed project. For some people creeds are an obstacle. They seem to say that Christianity is based on fairy stories and the supernatural. The ONE creed project is for these people.

Hm - that would include those of us who are atheists. But I didn't find much on the ONE site that gives a reason to be a Christian.

WWSD · 06-23-2004, 10:41 PM

Quote:

"Take a running jump, Holy Joes, humbugs!"

Yeah, man, like dig them crazy pharisees. They're all squares anyway.
They'd probably tell Gene Krupa not to go [starts banging on the desk] boom boom bam bam bam, boom boom bam bam bam, boom boom boom bam ba ba ba ba, da boo boo tss!"

Jackalope · 06-24-2004, 01:16 AM

Woohoo. Why do I have a sudden vision of a Lord Buckley Version of the Bible?

Say, "Lookit here. Here's a little bit of nothin' to me and miles from noplace.
You gonna hip me, The King of the Dip, what the lick is?"
He says, "I got a good mind to gobble you up!"

Jonah said, "Don't you do that, Mr. Whale.
Cause if you do I'm gonna knock you in your most delicate gear!"

The Whale say, "That do it!" Brrruudummm! And he swallowed Jonah.

And here was Jonah slippin' and slidin'
from one side of this great sea mammel to another.
Fear and terror inside.
He couldn't go outthe front end and he was afraid to go out the back end.
And all of a sudden he fell down on these great big blubbery rugs
and a piteous sound came from Jonah.

He said, "Lord! Lord! Can you dig me in this here fish?"

And The Lord said, "I got you covered, Jonah."

And Jonah say (laughing), say, "Lord's sure got a crazy sense of humor!
Maybe that's thereason I dig the cat so much! Tells me he got me covered.
He's got me surrounded!"

And The Great Lord said, "Jonah! Reach in your water-tight pocketbook
and take from there some of the cigarettes you got from the great tree.
And courage will return to you!"

Excerpted from Jonah and the Whale

FordMadoxBrown · 06-24-2004, 04:11 AM

From what I've seen of this book so far,. I like it. As long as it is remembered that it is one translation among many, it shoudl stimulate peole to think about Scriptuire afresh, and I think that is a good thing.

We must not forget that other translations stress their doctrinal origins also, e.g. the NIV says in Genesis 2:8 'now the Lord God HAD planted a garden' to avoid the accusation of two cretaion stories.

Magdlyn · 06-24-2004, 11:03 AM

Back when I was still a 12 yo captive Xtian, my mom sent me to Lutheran camp. We kids had a text called Good News for Modern Man. Supposed to be in the vernacular. It was kind of lame.

I still remember one character "took it on the lam."

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06-24-2004, 01:16 AM	#3
Jackalope Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Hayward, CA, USA Posts: 1,675	Woohoo. Why do I have a sudden vision of a Lord Buckley Version of the Bible? Say, "Lookit here. Here's a little bit of nothin' to me and miles from noplace. You gonna hip me, The King of the Dip, what the lick is?" He says, "I got a good mind to gobble you up!" Jonah said, "Don't you do that, Mr. Whale. Cause if you do I'm gonna knock you in your most delicate gear!" The Whale say, "That do it!" Brrruudummm! And he swallowed Jonah. And here was Jonah slippin' and slidin' from one side of this great sea mammel to another. Fear and terror inside. He couldn't go outthe front end and he was afraid to go out the back end. And all of a sudden he fell down on these great big blubbery rugs and a piteous sound came from Jonah. He said, "Lord! Lord! Can you dig me in this here fish?" And The Lord said, "I got you covered, Jonah." And Jonah say (laughing), say, "Lord's sure got a crazy sense of humor! Maybe that's thereason I dig the cat so much! Tells me he got me covered. He's got me surrounded!" And The Great Lord said, "Jonah! Reach in your water-tight pocketbook and take from there some of the cigarettes you got from the great tree. And courage will return to you!" Excerpted from Jonah and the Whale

06-24-2004, 04:11 AM	#4
FordMadoxBrown Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Crewe, England Posts: 51	From what I've seen of this book so far,. I like it. As long as it is remembered that it is one translation among many, it shoudl stimulate peole to think about Scriptuire afresh, and I think that is a good thing. We must not forget that other translations stress their doctrinal origins also, e.g. the NIV says in Genesis 2:8 'now the Lord God HAD planted a garden' to avoid the accusation of two cretaion stories.

06-24-2004, 11:03 AM	#5
Magdlyn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,230	Back when I was still a 12 yo captive Xtian, my mom sent me to Lutheran camp. We kids had a text called Good News for Modern Man. Supposed to be in the vernacular. It was kind of lame. I still remember one character "took it on the lam."

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