Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Thomas Ash · 12-02-2002, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Xman:
If you want to garner content quickly, I'd suggest foregoing some of the more traditional translations and using the New Living Translation. It's the most readable translation (not a paraphrase) out there, and not a bad one (though I wouldn't use it for a "study Bible"). It's in hardback, so you can get it fairly cheaply.

I would also suggest not ruling out translations simply because they push your buttons (slave/servant, etc.). After all, if you haven't read it, and you don't know the original langauges, how do you know one word is better than the other in the context in which different translations use them? Otherwise you might overlook some translations that would be very helpful to you (quick read, good comprehension).

Xman-

My point is that it would be very frustating, for example, to miss out on the fact that the Bible says the Earth is flat.

Thomas Ash
Website: <a href="http://www.bigissueground.com/atheistground/index.shtml" target="_blank">Atheist Ground</a>

BrotherMan · 12-02-2002, 11:27 AM

Consider this post another vote for the New Jerusalem translation for the reasons semyaza has already stated.

Apikorus · 12-02-2002, 11:37 AM

For the Hebrew Bible my favorite English translation is the NJPS. I also like the NRSV.

diana · 12-02-2002, 11:55 AM

I'll have to give the New Jerusalem version a look-see, but consider this another vote for Oxford Annotated (NRSV) with the apocrypha. Plenty of footnotes and crossferences to original myths and straightforward admission of the beliefs of the people who wrote things, along with handy stuff like comparative archaeology and biblical timelines. Very accessible and endlessly fascinating.

It's pretty much, in my opinion, the book your church doesn't want you to read.

d

Radcliffe Emerson · 12-02-2002, 12:39 PM

I have the NRSV Oxford Annotated also.
And I respectfully disagree about the method for reading it. I read it from cover to cover, and that's how I suggest it be read. The inconsistencies and silly mythological happenings, like Absalom's donkey talking to him, are much more noticeable and apparent if it's read like a book, straight through. If you skip around and read it in pieces, the absurdness of it isn't as readily apparent.
( I may have the Absalom name incorrect, I'm going from memory here)

Apikorus · 12-02-2002, 12:46 PM

You mean Balaam. (The Balaam pericope is in Numbers 22-24).

TrueThinker · 12-02-2002, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thomas Ash:


Hi Joel,

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to Accra, so I'll definitely try and see Cape Coast and maybe Ada Foah. Yes, I had heard that Ghana has a lot of <img src="graemlins/notworthy.gif" border="0" alt="[Not Worthy]" /> 's... thoug that's probably true in much of the developing world where people are a) less well educated themselves and b) extra vulnerable to ill-edcuated and unscrupulous US fundies.

Best wishes,

Thomas

Just my two cents....

I'm from Ghana and I can assure you that a lot of the people are well educated, and smart, more than those in the U.S. Education level is usually equivalent to that of Great Britain. If you will be in the capital, then these would be the ones you would run into.

I wouldn't say that they are vulnerable to U.S. "fundies", but rather they understand certain spiritual realities which you may not. And when the power of the Spirit is demonstrated before their eyes they cannot deny it, whereas one with a European mindset may try to rationalize it.

So you want a Bible huh? Do you speak Akan? Just kidding.......

Xman · 12-02-2002, 05:14 PM

Well, if you like the flat-earth language, I personally prefer the NRSV. It is not greatly influenced by traditional theology, and often offers very good translations. The Oxford edition with Apocrypha is available in paperback, although conservative Protestants don't tend to care what the Apocrypha says.

Thomas Ash · 12-03-2002, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TrueThinker:


Just my two cents....

I'm from Ghana and I can assure you that a lot of the people are well educated, and smart, more than those in the U.S. Education level is usually equivalent to that of Great Britain. If you will be in the capital, then these would be the ones you would run into.

I wouldn't say that they are vulnerable to U.S. "fundies", but rather they understand certain spiritual realities which you may not. And when the power of the Spirit is demonstrated before their eyes they cannot deny it, whereas one with a European mindset may try to rationalize it.

So you want a Bible huh? Do you speak Akan? Just kidding.......

So, how is "the power of the Spirit" demonstrated. Is asking for proof/evidence just part of a "European mindset"?

I don't think so; I just don't buy that sort of postmodernism.

Radcliffe Emerson · 12-07-2002, 05:12 PM

I knew I was getting Balaam's name incorrect, but I couldn't forget that ridiculous story about a donkey talking.

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12-02-2002, 11:27 AM	#22
BrotherMan Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: City of Dis Posts: 496	Consider this post another vote for the New Jerusalem translation for the reasons semyaza has already stated.

12-02-2002, 11:37 AM	#23
Apikorus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,396	For the Hebrew Bible my favorite English translation is the NJPS. I also like the NRSV.

12-02-2002, 11:55 AM	#24
diana Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 6,471	I'll have to give the New Jerusalem version a look-see, but consider this another vote for Oxford Annotated (NRSV) with the apocrypha. Plenty of footnotes and crossferences to original myths and straightforward admission of the beliefs of the people who wrote things, along with handy stuff like comparative archaeology and biblical timelines. Very accessible and endlessly fascinating. It's pretty much, in my opinion, the book your church doesn't want you to read. d

12-02-2002, 12:39 PM	#25
Radcliffe Emerson Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: the dark side of Mars Posts: 1,309	I have the NRSV Oxford Annotated also. And I respectfully disagree about the method for reading it. I read it from cover to cover, and that's how I suggest it be read. The inconsistencies and silly mythological happenings, like Absalom's donkey talking to him, are much more noticeable and apparent if it's read like a book, straight through. If you skip around and read it in pieces, the absurdness of it isn't as readily apparent. ( I may have the Absalom name incorrect, I'm going from memory here)

12-02-2002, 12:46 PM	#26
Apikorus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,396	You mean Balaam. (The Balaam pericope is in Numbers 22-24).

12-02-2002, 05:14 PM	#28
Xman Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orlando Posts: 30	Well, if you like the flat-earth language, I personally prefer the NRSV. It is not greatly influenced by traditional theology, and often offers very good translations. The Oxford edition with Apocrypha is available in paperback, although conservative Protestants don't tend to care what the Apocrypha says.

12-07-2002, 05:12 PM	#30
Radcliffe Emerson Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: the dark side of Mars Posts: 1,309	I knew I was getting Balaam's name incorrect, but I couldn't forget that ridiculous story about a donkey talking.

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