Reading the Bible can be done individually, in worship, or in groups. But there are additional ways of reading scripture. We read for information, when we read for study. We read for spiritual formation when we read for devotion. The conversation in this final episode explores some examples of how to read in these ways. Keep in mind, though, that these are only a few of the many ways to experience scripture through reading.

Previous episodes have covered multiple topics about the Bible and aspects of its over 3000-year journey. This episode turns to the personal. Each of our panelists will share about he values and appreciates about the Bible.

Personal reading, and study, of scripture is valuable and important. Equally important is reading and discussing scripture together with others, including others who have different experiences, worldviews, and cultural backgrounds. This is the topic for this our 4th episode in the series Talking About the Bible.

Books mentioned in the podcast

Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible, by E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien

Honor, Patronage, Kinship & Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture, by David A. deSilva

Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives, by Phyllis Trible and Gayle A. Yee

Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes, by Robert McAfee Brown

Reading the Bible with the Damned, by Bob Ekblad

In episode 3 of our series, Talking About the Bible, the conversation offers tips for selecting a translation for your own use, while also providing insights into the process of translating scripture. In reality, these two subjects are intertwined.

In Episode 2 of our series, Talking About the Bible, Daniel, Michael, and Gerald offer a window into some of the many considerations and aspects of providing translations of scripture.

Below are brief descriptions of the types of translations followed by a list of different translations group according to these types.

Verbal Translations:

“Translations that attempt to translate the Bible into modern English that is as close to the grammar, words, rhythm, and order of the ancient languages as possible” (Sheeley & Nash, p. 32).

Dynamic Translations: Two mainstream movements

1 – General Idiomatic Approach: launched by translators, James Moffatt, J. B. Phillips, Edgar Goodspeed, and Ronald Knox. These translations viewed as “phrase-for-phrase” effort to reproduce the meaning of ancient text in modern English. Phillips said it is working to make the translation “not sound like a translation at all”

2 – Common Language Approach: emerged as result of “efforts by American Bible Society to use linguistic analysis to translate Bibles in international mission contexts” (Sheeley & Nash, p. 63).

Paraphrases

“Paraphrases hope to express the spiritual truths of the Bible in something like the way the original author would have one had they been writing in English” (Sheeley & Nash, p. 88). Paraphrases like the New Living Bible and The Message, are developed from scripture that is already translated into English.

Sheeley, Steven M. , and Nash, Robert N., Jr. (1997). The Bible in English Translation: An Essential Guide, Abingdon Press: Nashville

Translations By Category

Verbal:

Kings James Version (KJV): 1611

American Standard Version (ASV)

Revised Standard Version (RSV)

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New International Version (NIV)

New American Bible (NAB)

New King James Version (NKJV)

21st Century King James (KJ21)

New Jerusalem Bible (NJB)

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Dynamic

Twentieth Century New Testament

James Moffatt

J. B. Phillips

New English Bible (NEB)

Revised English Bible (REB)

New Living Translation (NLT)

Good News Bible (GNB/TEV)

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Paraphrases

The Living Bible (LB)

The Message

Episode 1 of the series Talking About the Bible addresses the question: “What is the Bible?” This first episode includes introductions of the panelists. This series features Michael Cleland, Daniel Hulsey, and Gerald Wright. These three FBC Athens members, each with seminary and theology degrees, share insights about Biblical translations, interpretation, and ways to read for meaning.

The final episode of the series, Meet Your Community, features a turn of the tables. Erin Barger, President, and CEO of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, the first community leader interviewed in this series becomes the interviewer. Erin takes the seat at the microphone and interviews the host of the series, Frank Granger, Minister of Christian Community at First Baptist Church of Athens, GA.

The aim of this series is to deepen our awareness of needs in our community, and meet some of the people and organizations working daily to meet those needs. In addition to learning about our community, we can envision ways to use our gifts and resources, personally and collectively, to help in meeting those needs.

The fifth episode in the six-part series, Meet Your Community, features Grace Bagwell Adams the Principal Investigator of the Athens Wellbeing Project. Today we meet Grace and hear about the significant research and information provided through her work with the Athens Wellbeing Project which serves to assist our community leaders and institutions by providing a comprehensive snapshot of our community’s unique needs and assets in Athens-Clarke County.

The aim of this series is to deepen our awareness of needs in our community, and meet some of the people and organizations working daily to meet those needs. In addition to learning about our community, we can envision ways to use our gifts and resources, personally and collectively, to help in meeting those needs.

Links and Resources for Additional Information:

Athens Wellbeing Project

Website: https://www.athenswellbeingproject.org/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athenswellbeingproject/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AthensWellbeingProject/

The Athens Wellbeing Project Student White Paper Symposium will be held on Wednesday, November 15, at Georga Hall on UGA’s Health Science Campus (located on Prince Avenue). The time is from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Attendance is free. For additional info contact Rebecca Baskam, rbaskam@uga.edu