Nope, Mark Driscoll

Mark Driscoll, in discussing the ESV...


The ESV upholds the complementarian nature of gender in Scripture.Unbeknownst to the average Bible-reading Christian, there is a great debate raging in academic circles about the language of gender and how it relates to biblical translation.

It must be pointed out that, in its more insidious forms, the push for gender-neutral language is in fact a push against Scripture. For example, Scripture states that God made us “male and female” (for example, Genesis 1:27). Consequently, in God’s created order, there is both equality between men and women (because both are His image-bearers) and distinction (because men and women have differing roles). This position is called complementarianism and teaches that men and women, though equal, are also different in some ways and therefore function best together in a complementary way, like a right hand and left hand

Actually, Mark, complementarianism--what a stupid word! And I mean in an artistic sense, that is a very ugly word, like egalitarianism, which is saved by the fact that is actually means what the word suggests--- says that for some reason, even though the left hand can do exactly what the right hand can do, we should forbid the left hand from doing it.

Mark, you're a bit like the Catholic nuns who didn't allow my left handed father to write with his left hand, because it was "unnatural." Complementarianism does NOT teach that men and women are different---it simply forces them to conform to their definition of different. And, if you happen to be a female who fits better into their male position, than you, like a left hand, are forbidden to do what you can do. NOT because you are different, because you're actually not that different from their definition of male. But because you are the Left Hand. Only, and simply, because you are the Left Hand.

This should be admitted. You see, because everyone acknowledges that women can be effective leaders. What is debated is whether they SHOULD be effective leaders, of men as well as other women. Bad example. Especially when you have ambidextrous people who use their hands...equally...oh dirty word!

Why the ESV Bible Will/Won't Succeed.

By succeed I mean that it is consistently used by a significant number of people...a Bible that's taken for granted the same way that a KJV or an NIV is.

Why the ESV Bible Will Succeed

1. Because the ESV has managed, by hook or crook, to connect with many critical people.

Critical people are pastors, authors, bloggers. Bloggers love the ESV. Bloggers LOVE the ESV. And if they don't, their dissenting posts rahing for the TNIV, NASB, whatever, simply fade into blogdom oblivion...unless, of course, someone says that the TNIV could be better than the ESV. Then, stand back!

2. The ESV blog.

This is very, very smart. This is the future of how people will get all of their news. Their generous habit of mentioning those who blog about their Bible has to help.

3. Those funky, crazy, hip covers.

The Journaling Bible, in my mind, personifies Crossways' grasp on what people like, what looks pleasing and snazzy to the modern eye. They just draw attention.

4. Its position, real or imagined, as an alternative to Mother-God translations of the Bible. Its position, true or untrue, as an alternative to brain-softening "dynamic equivalent" versions. The way that it's posed as the youthful, cool young child of the outdated, archaic NASB...but it still comes with all the classic words and phrases.

5. The fact that it is a good translation, in many aspects.

I have no trouble using a myriad of versions, but I find that the ESV manages to help carry the flow of a Biblical passage. The ands, buts, therefores---it helps to mantain a connectedness that I haven't really found in "easier" translations, which tend to break the Bible into smaller bites.

Why the ESV Bible Will Not Succeed

1. Crossway.

I'm really sorry, but when people who love your translation are begging you to sell it to another publisher because you're doing such a shoddy job, you need to sit up. Crappy bindings, lousy paper, lousy layout, the ridiculously small print in the Journaling Bible---people want to love their Bible for years, not have it collapse after one. That, as I've heard, is not uncommon.

2. Its opposition, real or imaginary, against the TNIV.

Look, brag about your translation all you want, but when one of your most prominent translators (WayneGrudemcoughcough) is on an all out campaign to destroy another Bible, you're going to get mixed up in it. Modern people are going to think that you're stupid when your biggest concern is that some nuance of essential maleness is lost when you say "people" instead of "men." They don't give a damn, and you come off sounding like a fuddy-duddy.

3. ESV, the Red-Headed Stepchild of the Bookstore

I think that it was on Dan Edelen's blog ceruleansanctum.wordpress.com, that the ESV first got this title. I have to agree. In all of the bookstores that I have visited, the only ESV that I see are some Tru-Tone thinlines, hidden in boring black and silver boxes, an ugly Battlezone Bible, or some beat up paperbacks. The only exception is the imposing Reformation Bible, which, by its very title, possess a limited market. Meanwhile, every other version has cheaper, more visible, and just MORE on the shelf.

4. The fact that it's a literal translation

People want to give their children something that they can understand. People want to be sure that the Bible they're sharing with a non-church person will make sense to them. The fact that the ESV retains classic terms, such as propitation, are great for the churchese speaking Christian. Not for those who just want to know what the hell this book is trying to say.

5. The fact that it's not used in many study Bibles

Right now, there's the Reformation study Bible. And the children's Bible, which looks very nice. Meanwhile, we have NO

ESV Open Bible
ESV Life Application
ESV Thompson Chain
ESV Women's Bible
ESV Men's Bible
ESV Teen's Bible (other than the 3Story)
ESV Study Bible(which I understand is coming soon)
ESV by Cambridge publishers

Lots of great covers, but they're all basically text editions.

So there you have it. Five reason why the ESV will, or will not succeed. Anyone have more suggestions?

Coming Soon: Two New ESV Journaling Bibles

Coming Soon: Two New ESV Journaling Bibles

Ye gods!

If only I knew that they'd chosen a bigger font! Blind people can't read a 7.5 font!


And then to wrap the whole package in those lucious bindings!

I HATE CROSSWAY! WAHHHHHH!

Drool. New Calfskin Thinline ESV

Coming Soon: Cowhide Leather Thinline Bible

Now, if more every Bible publisher could just jot down a note about this..... This IS droolworthy.

Anyone Want to Memorize the Bible With Me?

After marching through Ephesians 3:14-21, I've decided that I want to do the entire book. This is the first time that I have ever decided to memorize the Bible. My church has a weird verse memorization thing going on, but they seem to have no plan or direction. This week, it's Matthew 4:19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

That, in any case, doesn't require much "oh, I forgot the memory verse, let me quickly review it on the way to church" festivities.

And what is very, very strange is that I looked up Bible memorization on the 'net, and everyone seems to be memorizing Ephesians. V. strange.

OK, I'm starting at the beginning. Here's my current plan.

1. I'm memorizing from the English Standard Version. I come from a KJV-only background, so don't blame me for not memorizing from one of them dang-blasted perVersions. My training makes it feel naughty to read anything but the AV 1611. Besides, when I compare the ESV rendering of Ephesians 3:14-21 to most of the "free-er" versions, I like the beauty of the ESV better.

2. I'm taking it at two verses a week. Yes, just two. Now, when working on 3:14-21, I finished it faster. However, I only require myself to learn two verses each week. I often learn more---but I don't make myself do it.

3. I'm keeping it mostly private. My immediate tendency is to go shout my verses at some hapless listener, but I'm just killing that for now by totally avoiding quoting what I've learned. For now, it's best.

4. I am starting in Ephesians.

5. I'd like company.

Even if you're memorizing another book, I'd love to hear from you. Or if you're inspired to start. Don't feel intimidated---I've barely started.

So, join in!

Brief Note: God's Story ESV

I noticed something weird about my hardcover copy of the ESV "God's Story" Bible. It is supposed to have three ribbon markers.

I have no ribbon markers.

I'm enjoying reading and memorizing from the English Standard Version (and reading all the various news about it---pro and 'agin' it) but this discrepancy is disturbing. I picked it up at our local Borders last month.

Weird.

Unique, Traveling Bible

OK, so I have billions of ideas every day. I think this one is cool. (That, by the way, is the lucious ESV Classic Reference Cordovan Bible. Schlurp.

Take a Bible, preferably one that will be tough, with easy to read font size, and something that you can write in without qualms or the notations showing really badly on the other side of the page. Wide margin could be nice.

There’s this one Bible coming out this month that I think would be perfect for me---hardback, wide margin ESV. It’s that, or this elegant cordovan edition that could really last.

Pick a book that you’ve been studying, or feel that you have some insight on. Then, with painstaking care, make relevant notes/notations throughout the text that will aid understanding. No high-lighters allowed. You could insert an article that sheds light on that book, or that simply encouraged you in Bible study. Naturally, some books are very large, so this would have to be flexible.

When this is done, you find someone agreeable, and pass the Bible on to them. They do the same. They pass the Bible on to someone else, and so on and so on. Hopefully, by the time it comes back to you, your traveling Bible has unique and helpful notes and notations that are fresh and new. This could really spark some interesting conversations with the people who have taken the time to do this.

Naturally, the particulars of this idea have not been worked out. That will take time and careful consideration---in short, it will be work. Still, I think there could be potential in it.

Any ideas?