Freethought & Rationalism Archive

gilly54 · 06-09-2002, 03:47 PM

My 16 year old daughter has to read the Book of Genesis and Gospel of Luke as summer reading (in addition to East of Eden by Steinbeck). She read maybe three chapters of Genesis and said "I can't read this shit." Being an encouraging mom, I suggested that we get an easier to read version than the KJV. We went to Barnes and Noble and I was stunned to see all the versions: KJV, NAB, NIV, etc. I looked through the Oxford Annotated Bible, which seemed on a cursory glance to be the most unbiased and understandable. On the first page of Genesis, it pointed out in the annotations that light was created before the sun.

Since I revolt at paying ANY money for another bible, (the Oxford one was $45.00), can some learned person here suggest the most unbiased, scholarly translation of the Bible?

Thanks,

Gilly

One of the last sane · 06-09-2002, 04:18 PM

Don't ever pay for a bible. The Mormons will give you a free King James version (not at all scholarly, but poetic) or you can snag a free Gideon's bible from just about any hotel room.

[ June 09, 2002: Message edited by: One of last of the sane ]</p>

ishalon · 06-09-2002, 05:17 PM

buy a Good News and suggest that she reads it as a comedy

Undercurrent · 06-09-2002, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gilly54:
<strong>Since I revolt at paying ANY money for another bible, (the Oxford one was $45.00), can some learned person here suggest the most unbiased, scholarly translation of the Bible?
</strong>

Why, the Extreme Teen Bible, of course.

m.

P.S. Why does your daughter have to read the bible over the summer?

[ June 09, 2002: Message edited by: Michael ]</p>

gilly54 · 06-09-2002, 07:03 PM

I'm making damned sure that she goes to class armed with the SAB at least! I'm assured that the discussion will be about the Bible as a literary document.

I agree with your assessment of the Extreme Teen Bible. (where's that 'emoticon' puking when you need it? )

Gilly

Writer@Large · 06-09-2002, 09:54 PM

Judith Hayes condensced the entire Bible into something like 23 pages in her book The Happy Heretic. It'd be like evil Cliffs Notes, and easier (and more fun) to read!

--W@L

Peter Kirby · 06-10-2002, 12:35 AM

I grew up with the New American Bible, and I turned out an atheist, so it can't be all that bad.

best,
Peter Kirby

CX · 06-10-2002, 07:07 AM

You can download and HTML version of the RSV bible
<a href="http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Information_Management/Information_Reference_Databases/The_Bible_in_HTML_Download.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The RSV is a pretty reliable translation and this download is free.

Someone7 · 06-10-2002, 08:36 AM

You can get the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0195284119/internetinfidelsA/" target="_blank">New Oxford Annotated Bible</a> for just $27.99 at <a href="http://www.amazon.com" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a>.

Godless Sodomite · 06-10-2002, 09:07 AM

Go to <a href="http://www.bookfinder.com" target="_blank">www.bookfinder.com</a> and enter a search for "Layman's Parallel Bible." This bible has the complete text of The King James Version, The Modern Language Bible, The Living Bible, and the Revised Standard Version set out side-by-side in parallel columns for easy comparison. The book can be had used for as low as $11.00.

-Jerry

06-09-2002, 03:47 PM	#1
gilly54 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New Almaden, California Posts: 917	Need assistance in bible purchase My 16 year old daughter has to read the Book of Genesis and Gospel of Luke as summer reading (in addition to East of Eden by Steinbeck). She read maybe three chapters of Genesis and said "I can't read this shit." Being an encouraging mom, I suggested that we get an easier to read version than the KJV. We went to Barnes and Noble and I was stunned to see all the versions: KJV, NAB, NIV, etc. I looked through the Oxford Annotated Bible, which seemed on a cursory glance to be the most unbiased and understandable. On the first page of Genesis, it pointed out in the annotations that light was created before the sun. Since I revolt at paying ANY money for another bible, (the Oxford one was $45.00), can some learned person here suggest the most unbiased, scholarly translation of the Bible? Thanks, Gilly

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06-09-2002, 04:18 PM	#2
One of the last sane Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: hereabouts Posts: 734	Don't ever pay for a bible. The Mormons will give you a free King James version (not at all scholarly, but poetic) or you can snag a free Gideon's bible from just about any hotel room. [ June 09, 2002: Message edited by: One of last of the sane ]</p>

06-09-2002, 05:17 PM	#3
ishalon Regular Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: From: Posts: 203	buy a Good News and suggest that she reads it as a comedy

06-09-2002, 07:03 PM	#5
gilly54 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New Almaden, California Posts: 917	I'm making damned sure that she goes to class armed with the SAB at least! I'm assured that the discussion will be about the Bible as a literary document. I agree with your assessment of the Extreme Teen Bible. (where's that 'emoticon' puking when you need it? ) Gilly

06-09-2002, 09:54 PM	#6
Writer@Large Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 7,198	Judith Hayes condensced the entire Bible into something like 23 pages in her book The Happy Heretic. It'd be like evil Cliffs Notes, and easier (and more fun) to read! --W@L

06-10-2002, 12:35 AM	#7
Peter Kirby Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: the reliquary of Ockham's razor Posts: 4,035	I grew up with the New American Bible, and I turned out an atheist, so it can't be all that bad. best, Peter Kirby

06-10-2002, 07:07 AM	#8
CX Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Portlandish Posts: 2,829	You can download and HTML version of the RSV bible <a href="http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Information_Management/Information_Reference_Databases/The_Bible_in_HTML_Download.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The RSV is a pretty reliable translation and this download is free.

06-10-2002, 08:36 AM	#9
Someone7 Banned Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 376	You can get the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0195284119/internetinfidelsA/" target="_blank">New Oxford Annotated Bible</a> for just $27.99 at <a href="http://www.amazon.com" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a>.

06-10-2002, 09:07 AM	#10
Godless Sodomite Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New York Posts: 453	Go to <a href="http://www.bookfinder.com" target="_blank">www.bookfinder.com</a> and enter a search for "Layman's Parallel Bible." This bible has the complete text of The King James Version, The Modern Language Bible, The Living Bible, and the Revised Standard Version set out side-by-side in parallel columns for easy comparison. The book can be had used for as low as $11.00. -Jerry

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