Whatcha Reading, Rev?


Here’s an undisclosed joy of this soul season of ‘almostly’ retirement.  I GET to—not HAVE to— arise at o’dark thirty and read anything I want, for as long as I want. Thank you, Lord. These uninterrupted reveries are so soul satisfying. It struck me this morning— not everyone possesses the place, privilege or presence of mind to still read and learn. Truly an honor!  I am circulating my own list of “Whatcha Reading, Rev?”not as a brag or boast—but a boost to those who might appreciate a nudge. Isn’t grace just one beggar showing another beggar where to find the bread ?  I learn by looking over the shoulders of readers I respect and integrating their insights. Caution: reading is like eating fish—you have to spit out the bones. So here are some bones and bonuses to sort out!  Please proceed with all appropriate gastronomic caution….(Blogmeisters not responsible for overindugence!) 

  • “How to Choose a Translation for all its Worth".

    My recent run-ins with errors/issues in The Passion Translation drove me to a deep—dive refresher on ‘All Things Bible.’ Tho the authors Fee & Strauss lean toward the conservative side of scripture conversation, it seems ‘my Mainline profs’ like Metzger, Harrelson, Sackenfeld & Schweitzer find them credible as colleagues. Keep in mind my Disciple heritage lobbies for the perspicacity of Scripture even as I thrive on probing predicaments and spotting theological rifts and drifts. For any lingering litigious literalists, be reminded: ALL translation is in fact interpretation! Point: even literal isn’t as literal as it used to be back in those bad ol’ Bible thumping days. 

    BTW: if any illuminations arise about their chapter 5 (the Greek generative) please contact me ASAP.  I’m dwelling these days over in the English Standard Version of the Pslam’s.

    — Gordon Fee/Mark Strauss

  • “Reminiscences of an Octogenarian”

    It wasn’t just our common Pennsylvania Dutch heritage that drew me to enroll for every seminar Dr Metzger taught during my decade of Princeton summer schools. Here’s a world—class Scripture scholar who radiated deep devotion in his daily class prayers. I was stunned to learn he signed the “NRSV Preface to the Reader” as chair of the translation team who met every summer at Princeton. (Note: he did not write the Bible; he just helped edit).When students inquired what passage the scholarly rabbis were arguing that day, his droll smile and ready riposte always raised a laugh which led right into his opening prayer.

    Here is a modest man, who rubbed shoulders and matched minds with the Theological Greats, yet sat at table, eating with us students. His presence raised the intellectual level of lunch conversation considerably. Much as I admired his mind and masterful command of multiple languages…as his student for over a decade, the greatest grace of the Good Doctor was clearly the humility I caught when he taught.

    — By Bruce Metzger

  • "Second Coming of the Klan "

    It’s easy to kick back and philosophize about the Klan—like they are long gone. Dream on! Let’s establish: Andrew Johnson did all imaginable to undo everything Lincoln accomplished. When the ragtime 20’s culture roared, everyone joined everything and the Klan disguised as ‘just another solid civic movement’ blended into the culture mix— only during daylight hours.

    — By Linda Gordon.