On February 26, as part of a Governing Board meeting of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, the NCC celebrated at “re-launch” in publication of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Often more known (and sometimes reviled) as the premier ecumenical council in the United States, emphasizing social justice as well as faith and order concerns, the NCC is also the owner of both the Revised Standard and New Revised Standard Versions of the Bible.
The NRSV is widely recognized as the world’s most trusted, most accepted, and most accurate translation of the Scriptures available in English. Both the RSV and NRSV have incorporated much new scholarship derived since the 20th century discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other archeological finds. The RSV was the first serious, scholarly effort to translate the Bible from the original texts since the 1611 Authorized Version, also known as the King James Bible.
Under a new publishing agreement with HarperCollins, attractive new editions will soon be available at outlets like Borders, Barnes and Noble, and even Walmart in addition to the more academic religious book stores. I share this, not as a commercial, but to witness to the fact that the NCC, and its partner Church World Service, make many ecumenical contributions quietly and faithfully which most people never hear about.
And “all scripture is inspired by God and us useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
That We All May Be One 
February 28, 2007 at 9:00 pm |
I hope the church pushes forward on developing (and distributing) materials to improve Biblical literacy and theological education, including exposing people in the pew to different understandings and interpretations of Scripture – liberal and conservative, Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox, modern and ancient – and empower them to learn and reflect on what Scripture says, how it is interpreted and how we have lived it over the centuries.
Much of what is driving the current crisis is because of the poor job the church has done in this regard (which is alluded to on your previous post.)
February 28, 2007 at 9:03 pm |
Sorry, I meant that a lack of understanding about the breath of interpretation of scripture is alluded to in comments on your previous post. I didn’t mean to imply you weren’t aware of them 🙂
March 1, 2007 at 9:40 pm |
Absolutely. I know just what you meant! Thanks for the comment! I could not agree more.