- What phrases, sentences, ideas in the J.B. Phillips passage speak deeply to you? (Just quote them or go on to discuss their meaning for you.)
- What translation of the Bible do you use? Of what importance is that translation to you?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of reading from a more traditional translation? a contemporary translation?
- Of the reading Richard Foster says, "Did you notice that the insights [Phillips] gained came simply by paying attention to the words of Scripture?" How can we "pay attention" to Scripture?
The J. B. Phillips translation is available online
Next week, Nov. 7: a reading by Martin Luther on simplicity.
6 comments:
J. B. Phillips is my favorite! There is a sweetness to his translation that lifts the spirit. This reading may have explained why. Perhaps his serendipities come through in the translation.
For a year I prayed his translation of Col: 9-14 as a blessing over my family. The phrase "that you may bring joy to his heart" is my serendipity. When we worked with King*s Kids they had a wonderful exercise that we did with the children at night. We told each child to ask God how he had brought joy to God's heart that day. Sometimes it would be that they had shared the Gospel with someone or been outstanding in the performance. However, more often, it was that they had offered to help someone with her chores, volunteered to do a least favorite task, written an anonymous note to someone who needed cheering up. Oh, sweet smiles and wonder we saw as they shared. What a great way for them to learn what is important to God, how He is able to work through them. Learning to hear His voice, know His heart.
There are days I need to do this exercise!
Another Phillips serendipity for our family came on a Saturday morning when our then 5 year old Louise was helping her dad with the weekend chores. He sent her to me to get a certain tool he needed. She came running from a far corner of the house, saying, "Mama, help me. Daddy needs a J. B. Phillips screwdriver!" Ah, our little theologian.
Thank you, God, for your blessings from the great minds to the great minds in formation.
Carey
Brief thoughts below from this 61 year-old, one-year-old-post-stroke tentative participant.
In Philip's Bible selection on P.96, i find this personally relevant thought:
"The sorrow which God uses means a change of heart.... You can look back now and see how the hand of God was in that sorrow."
I know i've probably got a bunch of years on many participants. That may be one reason i can say that i have more than a few personal evidences of those sorrows mentioned above. I've also been given time to look back on many. Yup, a lot of serious thoughts have ensued. And yup, my keenness for the faith has been and is stirred up, again and again. How neat it is to come here and share. I'm hoping to hear the thoughts of the teachers of all ages out there. Hopefully, i'm learning as i go.
On translations:
I am content to be told which traslation to use for a particular study -- happy to trust those wiser than myself. (Ex. = 16 years of Community Bible Study -- started with RSV and switched to NIV when it became available. Theirs were suggestions only.)
I also enjoy other suggested translations -- pleased to share what others have experienced.
Obviously, the more traditional are familiar in parts (ie. the 23rd Psalm, etc.)
The more contemporary are often more understandable -- especially in certain "murky" spots.
Love in Him Who loves us best!
Understand Luther's illustrations and implications for each of us. However, the first thought that came to mind as I read his comentary was: What meaning has all this for the malnourished and dying in Darfur, Sudan????
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