The Longing
Stuff that didn't quite make it into The Briefing
Generating Confidence in the Bible: The use of Bible translations in Christian ministry
Mark Thompson / February 2004
As a preacher, I am passionately concerned to ensure that I am faithfully proclaiming the word of God. Equally important is the question of whether I am effectively proclaiming the word of God. It will be of little or no lasting benefit to those who hear if I parade my cleverness—my wit or charm, my ability with funny or emotive stories—and not bring people into contact with the word that God has spoken. It likewise will be next to useless if I proclaim the truth in a way that obscures its meaning or makes it difficult for people to hear and
The Briefing and the ESV
Tony Payne / February 2004
A response to Don Carson and Allan Chapple
I am not by nature a grumpy person. I don't often get very heated in debate or upset about things. You could even call me phlegmatic (love that word).
However, even the most laid back personality has pressure points. For me, it's when the kids spill things at the dinner table, especially any form of milk drink. It sends me into a blustering and irrational rage. Imprecations burst forth onto the head of the unfortunate child (“Oh for heaven's sake! Why don't you just fling Milo all over the walls
The English Standard Version: A Review Article
Allan Chapple / February 2004
Originally published in The Reformed Theological Review. Reprinted with permission.
My aim is to assess the quality of the English Standard Version of the Bible (ESV). This can be done by comparing the ESV with other translations. However, such a huge task could not be reported adequately within the scope of an article such as this. A more satisfactory alternative is to measure the ESV against what it was intended to be: that is, to compare the final product with the aims of those who produced it. By concentrating on its characteristic
ESV/NIV Comparison Chart
Allan Chapple / February 2004
In his RTR article (reproduced elsewhere in this month's web extra), Allan Chapple judges that the ESV has fallen short of its own objectives, and provides some examples. As promised (in the paper edition of this month's Briefing), here are some counter-examples, where the ESV is advantageously a few steps more direct in translation than the NIV, while remaining quite readable (that is, where the ESV has achieved its objectives).
Verse |
ESV |
Comment |
Gen 16:2 |
And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. |
The retention of the concrete |
Good English With Minimal Translation: Why Bethlehem Uses the ESV
John Piper / February 2004
Why I would like to see the English Standard Version become the most common Bible of the English-speaking church, for preaching, teaching, memorizing, and study.