This would be my week to be “on” for the Friday Five. In solidarity with my able replacement:
1. What is your earliest memory of encountering a biblical text?
There are probably earlier events, but I remember most vividly sword drills in the Baptist Church. Someone calls out a verse and the kids all look it up as fast as they can, then the “winner” reads it to the whole church/gathering. I really didn’t enjoy this, but I do know my way around the Bible pretty quickly now.
2. What is your favorite biblical translation, and why? (You might have a few for different purposes).
I like the NRSV. I read it, preach from it, study it. But it’s rather stilted. I have heard positive things about the TNIV, which employs inclusive language for humanity. I find the NIV much more readable than the NRSV and even poetic at times, though it purportedly has a more conservative bent. So the TNIV seems like a great thing.
Ephesians 5 is my litmus test for any Bible. If they talk about wives “submitting” as opposed to using somewhat milder language, I take that into account. And if they put a big section break between verse 20 (be subject to one another) and verse 21 (wives, be subject to your husbands), that REALLY annoys me—-since it is all one sentence in Greek. A section break in the middle of a sentence? Can you say Agenda?
The Message (a contemporary translation by Eugene Peterson) is so close to being useful, but really hit and miss. When it’s on, it’s on. When it’s slangy and jokey it just grates. Contemporary is good. Pseudo-hip is not.
3. What is your favorite book of the Bible? Your favorite verse/passage?
Hmmm. I’m not sure I have a favorite book. I love the stories in Genesis. Luke is probably my favorite gospel. And I like Galatians for purely sentimental reasons (though it is NOT a sentimental book!)—it’s the first book I read in the original language. Philippians is nice.
4. Which book of the Bible do you consider, in Luther’s famous words about James, to be “an epistle of straw?” Which verse(s) make you want to scream?
Oh, let’s see. I actually have fondness for James, because we are moving into a time in which we are reclaiming the importance of Christian practice—not because that is what saves us, but because Jesus offered a way of being in the world, not a set of doctrinal precepts to be adhered to.
Oh, all the woman stuff of Paul gets my goat but doesn’t even bother me that much because it seems so culturally specific. I could do without the so-called “clobber passages” (those six verses used to condemn homosexual practice). Same deal.
5. Inclusive language in biblical translation and liturgical proclamation: for, against, or neutral?
Very much for. Inclusive language for humanity is a no-brainer. This is one place where the progressive church is actually out in front of the culture. It’s very strange to my ears to watch the news and hear the anchor talk about mankind. Dude! There’s a perfectly good alternative!
As for inclusive language about God, yes. It is a matter of hospitality above all else. Which means we shouldn’t throw out Father language either, in hospitality to those for whom that traditional language is very meaningful. I bristle when it’s awkward: God wants all God’s people to love God, as God Godself loves humanity. But don’t blame inclusive theology for that, blame bad writing. I occasionally say “he” but have practiced just saying God, and it comes very naturally and I hope doesn’t call attention to itself.
Bonus: Back to the Psalms–which one best speaks the prayer of your heart?
Psalm 139. It’s cliche but true.
14 Responses to “friday five: b-i-b-l-e”
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I think you meant “hupersonity.”
Don’t even get me started on “heroes and sheroes.”
An abomination unto the Lord. It maketh my ears to bleed.
Luke is my favorite gospel, too (spooky how much we have in common). Love the healings and the human face of the big J.C. Have never seen it, but just the little information you gave about that “Creative Correction” book gives me the heebie-jeebies. Don’t even get me started on that whole creepy movement.
I hadn’t heard that one. Luckily, no one without an axe to grind will use it.
IMHO, there’s no good pronoun. So I just alternate whenever I remember to.
God wants all His people to love Her, as He Herself loves humanity.
It’s more inclusive of the transgender crowd, too.
“Luke is probably my favorite gospel.”
psh, that’s right!
Keith–I’m totally digging your pronoun usage–seriously!
wonderful play! i won’t be taking greek or hebrew while at seminary, but i definately want to learn it. to read the Bible in its original language would be wonderful.
wonderful–thanks!
Great play, RM!
Thanks for your thoughts. (So very like mine–it’s no wonder I resonate!)
Great Play! Love how you try not to let things bug you.
If I get tangled up, I start over. That’s the only way I can do it.
Thanks for the nuanced and insightful thoughts on translations (and for the seal of approval from the expert :-). I was excited but nervous about the job).
Your Psalm choice is also one of the favorites so far, with several votes. It’s one that I didn’t like (it felt controlling rather than nurturing) till I made my own expansive adaptation with feminine language, which is one reason I am so devoted to that cause.
I love Galatians too! I have fond memeories of studying it with a certain (cute) professor at a certain seminary.
1-4, did you go to Crusty Theological? ‘Cause my Galatians prof was quite the dish in his day, and I still found him cute in a twinkly grandfatherly way.
Liked what you said about the stories of Genesis, and about different translations…
also Psalm 139 is just occurring to me lately…
Hey.
I did go to Crusty Theo. and we did have the same prof—just at different times.
I actually had him after you, but found him to be quite the charmer (grandfatherly, yes.)
You were “around” when I began Crusty Theo.