While they were at it this week, the Southern Baptists should have gone ahead and condemned the forthcoming Common English Bible. I guess they can wait until next year.

I have been intrigued by the New Testament of the CEB, which I’ve had for several months. (My name is Dan and I’m a translation junkie…)

But a couple of areas that get too uncomfortable for me keep me wondering if I am reading too much into the goals of the new translation. One is very simple. I don’t like using “happy” instead of “blessed” in the Beatitudes. It’s a personal thing. “Happy” has to do with our attitude and I don’t believe the Beatitude have to do with us “achieving” something.

The other is just tough. It is the use of “Human One” rather than Son of Man in reference to Jesus. This review really helps me flesh out what I am uncomfortable with.

Overall, I almost can’t help myself as I think about getting the full CEB in a few months. One thing I want it for is the use of the Apocrypha. This is one area I wish the NIV 2011 had been a little more brave on. I think their use of the Apocrypha might have solidified their position among Emergent believers and even Orthodox. As a lifelong Pentecostal, I still would like to see more use of the Apocrypha.

Well, at any rate, we can look forward to yet another condemnation of a translation by the Southern Baptists next year.