The New NLT Study Bible Review round up (so far)

Well all the special people have received their NLT Study Bibles (special advance copies) and are putting up their reviews.  Here are some I have found so far:

Nick at RDWT has several reviews so far (initial observations; general layout; introduction features 1 and introduction features 2, Final Thoughts; with one pictorial review.

Rick Mansfield also has put up his review and has great things to say about the NLTSB.

Bryan Lilly has an excellent review as well.

ElShaddai Edwards has compared the notes of the NLTSB with two other study Bibles and is excellent as well.

Iyov has followed up ElShaddai’s review with some contentions of his own regarding the translation of a passage in the NLTSB.

And TC Robinson put his review up also.

These are the lucky ones I could find so far.

Why ESV Onlyism won’t last

The relatively new phenomenon called ESV Onlyism won’t last because the texual basis of the steadfast KJVO crowd and the ESVO crowd are different.  The ESV merely updated the RSV and modified the NRSV but it’s base translations for original language work are the 1983 BHS 2nd ed, the UBS 4th corrected ed, and NA27, which are based off the Wescott and Hort tradidtion (as I understand it).  The KJVO may be an update of the Geneva Bible and Bishops Bible but it’s textual basis is the revered MT (Majority Text) of the Byzantine line, believed by the KJVO folk to be the only true text base for translation.  

Also, the main thing about those who stick with the KJV is its language and prose (16th or 17th English) which according to the KJV folk waxes eloquent.  This is true in some respects.  The ESV doesn’t even come close to waxing eloquent in the manner of the KJV.  

If the ESVO crowed wanted to have even a chance at dethroning the KJVO group they would have had to not simply update the RSV but also use the Byzantine text base for their original languages work not the Wescott/Hort text base.  

This is, as I understand it, why the supposed ESV Onlyism phenomenon doesn’t really stand a chance to last.

I.H. Marshall on Aspects of the Atonement

We have a more clearly formulated doctrine of the Trinity now than was possible for the first Christians in the infancy of Christian theologizing, and we can understand perhaps more fully how the Father, Son, and Spirit are bound together in a fellowship of love so that they have the same purposes and the same knowledge. Therefore, the picture of intercession is simply one way of assuring us that the Father shares the same loving purpose for us as the Jesus whom we know to have died for us and who is in heaven with the Father, and as the Spirit who dwells in us and assures us of the love of God in our hearts and who speaks directly to the Father in heaven.  There is an indissoluble unity between Father, Son, and Spirit in the work of redemption.  The recognition that it is God the Son, that is to say quite simply God, who suffers on and dies on the cross settles the question finally.  This is God himself bearing the consequence of sin, not the abuse of some cosmic child (56) …. The charge of cosmic child abuse is totally misplaced.  It fails to recognize the points that have just been made which emphasize that it was God who initiated the cross, it was God himself who suffered on the cross and bore the sin of the world (62).  

I. Howard Marshall.  Aspects of the Atonement: Cross and Resurrection on the Reconciling of God and Humanity.  Paternoster, 2008.

Pastoring and Cats

I guess for some, pastoring is like herding cats!

It is noted: 

The video.
The facts.
It is like herding cats.
You’d better love God.
You’d better love the people.
You’d better know you are going to get hurt.
You’d better decide right now that it’s worth it.

It is. But it still leaves scars sometimes. And not just on the cowboys.

To What “End” Biblical Studies?

This title might be a take of Gordon Fee’s book To What End Exegesis?: Essays Textual, Exegetical, and Theological (Eerdmans, 2001).  I am assuming Fee is taking about “end” in the sense of “the point to which it leads.”  But instead of the focus on exegesis, I am asking “to what end does biblical studies lead us?  Most will say more knowledge of God, better understanding of the Bible and its times. For some it leads to a deeper relationship with God, but I wonder for how many people this is so.  The reason I ask is, does biblical studies lead you to read the Bible more or less?  I know for one blogger it has lead to less reading of the actual text of the Bible.  What about you?    

Does involvement of biblical studies deepen your prayer life?  Does it deepen your spiritual life?  Does it deepen your devotional life and or devotion to Christ?  Draw you closer to God and his people?  Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy biblical studies and find it very helpful but here is the problem: information is not transformation.  More information about various aspects of the Bible do not necessarily lead to personal transformation and change of heart.  I think for biblical studies to aide in personal transformation of the believer there has to be an intentional focus on such.  Biblical studies that does not culminate in the worship of God fails to do its proper task – draw us closer to God.  

Perhaps transformation or spiritual formation is not the end of biblical studies?  Does spiritual formation come about in ways not necessarily including biblical studies?  

Let me know what you think.

Yeah!

My wife Debbie switched over to WP!  Go over and have a look see and drop a note!

Wish list addition

just letting those blessed with the gift of giving know that I added the NLT Study Bible to my very convoluted and bizarre Amazon wish list…

Prayer needed

My back has really been giving me a bad time (lower middle back).  I have been icing it and trying to stretch it. I went to a chiropractor and he could not even do a basic adjustment because my back was just too tight.  It is hard to get comfortable and I had to miss work today.  Any prayers offered up to the throne of grace with loud cries and supplications will be coveted!

The precious blood of Christ

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 

1 Peter 1:18-19

Thank God for the precious blood of Christ!

Book of Common Prayer

Mike Bird, at Euangelion, notes David A. deSilva’s latest book: Sacramental Life: Spiritual Formation Through the Book of Common Prayer (forthcoming from IVP, Sept 2008).  In my tradition (Pentecostal/Charismatic) it is not common to use the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) or even common to read written prayers except perhaps maybe on certain high holy days such as Christmas or Easter.  Even so, I guess for some people this book really speaks to their spiritual lives and plays a role in their own personal spiritual formation (and that of the Church as well).

Mike quotes from de Silva’s introduction that:

“I am a person of faith today precisely because the liturgies of the Book of Common Prayer gave me a language and a context for encountering God in my youth that continues to be the essential vehicles for my own spiritual formation”.

So, the question I have is: is this the case for you?  Do you use the BCP in your personal devotions or spiritual formation?  Which one do you use or would you recommend using? de Silva’s book goes off the Anglican Book of Common Prayer.  When I put in “Book of Common Prayer” in the Amazon search list many variations come up – which is the good one?  Is one better than another?  I assume it is like having a Psalter for some people?

Let me know.  Thanks.