Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Malachi151 · 12-10-2006, 08:13 AM

I did finally get a hold of a Harper Collins Study Bible. Its very good, but its still a Christian Bible, and though most of the commentary is unbiased enough that it doesn't make much difference, it still says things like "As Christians we must believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God as is true, though it may be true in figurative and spiritual terms, not literal terms", etc.

Also, I disagree with a few of the comments and whatnot, so the question is, will we ever have a study Bible produced BY atheists and/or agnostics?

Maybe this is something that Robert M. Price should get a team together and start working on

Peter Kirby · 12-10-2006, 08:24 AM

It took 400 years for the Jews to catch up with Christians in the technology of the English language study Bible and translation (filled in the later part of last century in The Jewish Study Bible). I hope it doesn't take atheists another 400 years to produce an independent translation and commentary (in English), but it just might.

The question might be asked: do atheists interpret the Bible differently qua atheists ? Or do they need scholarship filtered just for them ?

kind regards,
Peter Kirby

BGMA · 12-10-2006, 09:04 AM

I think you're looking for something like www.skepticsannotatedbible.com , correct?

********************************************
The Bible of the Good and Moral Atheist

jakejonesiv · 12-10-2006, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malachi151

...
Maybe this is something that Robert M. Price should get a team together and start working on

Have you seen R.Price's recently released "Pre-Nicene New Testament?" This is close to what you are requesting.

But you really don't need it. Just get one of those conservative prophecy stydy bibles. One of those with the center column of references down the middle. Evey single NT allusion to the OT is wrung out as either fulfilled prophecy or "types" of Christ. But what is really demonstrated is how the gospel story was put together from recasting OT tales.

Jake Jones IV

Peter Kirby · 12-10-2006, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGMA

I think you're looking for something like www.skepticsannotatedbible.com , correct?

No, it uses the KJV. The first task would necessarily be a new translation.

kind regards,
Peter Kirby

Malachi151 · 12-10-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakejonesiv

Have you seen R.Price's recently released "Pre-Nicene New Testament?" This is close to what you are requesting.

But you really don't need it. Just get one of those conservative prophecy stydy bibles. One of those with the center column of references down the middle. Evey single NT allusion to the OT is wrung out as either fulfilled prophecy or "types" of Christ. But what is really demonstrated is how the gospel story was put together from recasting OT tales.

Jake Jones IV

Good suggestion, I like this idea.

Quote:

I think you're looking for something like ww.skepticsannotatedbible.com , correct?

No, I don't much care for that. I'm not talking about insulting the Bible or pointing out all the bad stuff, but rather a scholarly commentary on authorship, translation, meaning, how the events comply with secular history, comments on redaction, etc.

Peter Kirby · 12-10-2006, 09:31 AM

The closest thing to a 'secular' Bible commentary series (though they may cringe at a recommendation worded such) is Hermeneia, which is quite expensive previously but now is merely somewhat expensive when purchased for the Logos bible software.

I have invested in the hardcover books and would like to swap for the software, but can't justify the expense at this stage. But you are of course encouraged to check it out.

kind regards,
Peter Kirby

John Kesler · 12-10-2006, 10:01 AM

Is there a study Bible which gives exhaustive references for a given text, regardless of whether the reference is OT, NT, Apocryphal, pseudopigraphal, etc.? It seems that most, if not all, study Bibles allow their conception of what is "inspired" text to determine what annotations and cross-references to supply. Consequently, one has to consult numerous sources, and then try to squeeze in the additional references in the Bible's margin so that they are available for future reference. For example, why couldn't an entry for Jude 6 contain references to Genesis 6:2-4; 1 Enoch 6:2 & 19:1; Jubilees 5:1-2; 2 Peter 2:4, et al rather than just the "accepted" texts for a given doctrinal stance.

S.C.Carlson · 12-10-2006, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakejonesiv

But you really don't need it. Just get one of those conservative prophecy stydy bibles. One of those with the center column of references down the middle. Evey single NT allusion to the OT is wrung out as either fulfilled prophecy or "types" of Christ. But what is really demonstrated is how the gospel story was put together from recasting OT tales.

The Nestle-Aland critical edition of the New Testament, Novem Testamentum Graece, includes a very nice set of cross references for this sort of thing. A side benefit is that the text presents the NT in the original language, which puts you well on your way to scholarship.

Stephen

militant agnostic · 12-10-2006, 06:20 PM

Yeah. Now this is what I am talking about. A guide intended to help us novices understand the who's who and whats what of the Bible. Not a scathing joke fest directed at Christians. Just a good guide to the origens of the old and new testements.

By the way. I recently asked about books that would be useful for a beginers guide the Bible on this site and I got alot of good responses, but then it got deleted. I didn't write down the whole thing and I lost some of the names of the books I intended to pick up. Could anyone help me?

12-10-2006, 08:13 AM	#1
Malachi151 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 8,674	Atheist's Study Bible? I did finally get a hold of a Harper Collins Study Bible. Its very good, but its still a Christian Bible, and though most of the commentary is unbiased enough that it doesn't make much difference, it still says things like "As Christians we must believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God as is true, though it may be true in figurative and spiritual terms, not literal terms", etc. Also, I disagree with a few of the comments and whatnot, so the question is, will we ever have a study Bible produced BY atheists and/or agnostics? Maybe this is something that Robert M. Price should get a team together and start working on

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12-10-2006, 08:24 AM	#2
Peter Kirby Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: the reliquary of Ockham's razor Posts: 4,035	It took 400 years for the Jews to catch up with Christians in the technology of the English language study Bible and translation (filled in the later part of last century in The Jewish Study Bible). I hope it doesn't take atheists another 400 years to produce an independent translation and commentary (in English), but it just might. The question might be asked: do atheists interpret the Bible differently qua atheists ? Or do they need scholarship filtered just for them ? kind regards, Peter Kirby

12-10-2006, 09:04 AM	#3
BGMA Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: www.freewebs.com/ thebgma/index.htm Posts: 111	I think you're looking for something like www.skepticsannotatedbible.com , correct? ******************************************** The Bible of the Good and Moral Atheist

12-10-2006, 09:31 AM	#7
Peter Kirby Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: the reliquary of Ockham's razor Posts: 4,035	The closest thing to a 'secular' Bible commentary series (though they may cringe at a recommendation worded such) is Hermeneia, which is quite expensive previously but now is merely somewhat expensive when purchased for the Logos bible software. I have invested in the hardcover books and would like to swap for the software, but can't justify the expense at this stage. But you are of course encouraged to check it out. kind regards, Peter Kirby

12-10-2006, 10:01 AM	#8
John Kesler Veteran Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Charleston, WV Posts: 1,037	Is there a study Bible which gives exhaustive references for a given text, regardless of whether the reference is OT, NT, Apocryphal, pseudopigraphal, etc.? It seems that most, if not all, study Bibles allow their conception of what is "inspired" text to determine what annotations and cross-references to supply. Consequently, one has to consult numerous sources, and then try to squeeze in the additional references in the Bible's margin so that they are available for future reference. For example, why couldn't an entry for Jude 6 contain references to Genesis 6:2-4; 1 Enoch 6:2 & 19:1; Jubilees 5:1-2; 2 Peter 2:4, et al rather than just the "accepted" texts for a given doctrinal stance.

12-10-2006, 06:20 PM	#10
militant agnostic Regular Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 291	Yeah. Now this is what I am talking about. A guide intended to help us novices understand the who's who and whats what of the Bible. Not a scathing joke fest directed at Christians. Just a good guide to the origens of the old and new testements. By the way. I recently asked about books that would be useful for a beginers guide the Bible on this site and I got alot of good responses, but then it got deleted. I didn't write down the whole thing and I lost some of the names of the books I intended to pick up. Could anyone help me?

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