Apprentice 2 Jesus

Translations

  • Clarity and accuracy in translation are helpful

    Over the years I have done a very bad thing in the eyes of scholars. I have drifted more toward translations that work to make the text more readable. For ESV, NASB, NRSV, and RSV lovers… I am a heretic. For KJV only people, I’ve been apostate for years. I still use “word for word”… Read more

  • The easy distractions of this noisy world

    Daniel 7 is a key chapter in understanding all that follows regarding Jesus’ ministry. It is probably here that Jesus draws his use of “Son of Man,” or “Human One” in the Common English Bible. It is a vision of distractions and a vision that calls us to focus. The distractions are the violent actions… Read more

  • What do you treasure?

    In all of our searching, and it all of the noise trying to distract us in this world, there is one place we can come back to: All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him. (Col. 2:3) Treasure Christ. In all pursuits, know he is the source and HE is the treasure.… Read more

  • Common English Study Bible

    Cokesbury had a huge sale last week and it included the Common English Study Bible. I was able to obtain this translation when it first came out through the generosity of the publisher, and I’ve found it to be a refreshing translation. It certainly has its “quirks,” but for common reading (and for me it’s… Read more

  • How’s your forehead look?

    Translation fun. The literal use of a word, which the ESV uses in Jeremiah 3:3 is, um, not helpful. Here is a comparison at Biblegateway. Strengths and weaknesses of translations are a key reason I like having so much available either online (like Biblegateway) or digitally (like Olive Tree or Logos). Just watch out for… Read more

  • The CEB Study Bible

    Since the arrival of the Common English Bible, I have been intrigued by the simple approach to translation. It is designed to make the Bible clear. For lifelong Christians, that isn’t easy. I have trouble still with calling Jesus “the Human One,” and calling the ark a box. But where I see how the CEB… Read more

  • The Call of the Lord: “Just come and talk”

    My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.” (Psalm 27:8, NLT) Coming out of a great leadership retreat last weekend, then through the fog of a touch of flu, staying focused on what God is asking of me in prayer has been tough throughout… Read more

  • Translation comparisons of Matthew 5:17

    17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. (NLTse) Mat 5:17 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them… Read more

  • The Common English Bible — A Year Later

    Last Advent season I was part of the blogger series for the Common English Bible. They extended their blogging series through Lent, then to Pentecost, so I spent many months using the Common English Bible along with the NIV2011 in my teaching and preaching. Once the blogging event was over last spring, I still found… Read more

  • Verse of the Day, or Why I Like the Deuterocanonical Books

    Reading through the Deuterocanonical Books of the Bible (which Protestants, especially Pentecostals aren’t “supposed” to read) really provides some insight. “When people are dead,  they inherit maggots, vermin, and worms.” (Sirach 10:11, CEB) That was in yesterday’s reading. Today’s reading offers some other nice tidbits: “Don’t praise people for their beautiful looks, and don’t despise… Read more