Win a Free Copy of MOSAIC
On Oct. 1, I'll be hosting Keith Williams, general editor of the new MOSAIC version NLT Bible on my blog. You can win a free copy of MOSAIC by doing one of the following.
(a) Visit this blog on Oct. 1, 2009, and post a question (in the comment section) for Keith Williams, or
(b) Send a message on Twitter or Facebook on Oct. 1 announces this giveaway. Use this message: "Win a free copy of the new MOSAIC Bible today. Visit http://bit.ly/1sIxj for details. @lawrencewilson"
If you send a Facebook message, you'll have to e-mail me so I can enter you to win.
I think the NLT is one of the best available translations right now, and I'm looking forward to seeing what the MOSAIC edition has to offer. I love the tagline for this edition:
On our own, we are little more than bits of stone and glass . . .
together we are the body of Christ.
Tune in on Oct. 1 to hear more about this new project.
To whet your appetite, here is an interview I did awhile ago with Dr. Joseph E. Coleson, on of the translators on the NLT team.
Continue Reading >
11 Comments:
Keith,
I am familiar with the Living Bible (paraphrase) but not so much the New Living Translation. What is the difference between the two?
Keith,
I am interested to hear why you chose the NLT for this work AND beyond the primary point of the scripture (which I love being separate) what, of the other features, do you like best/find most valueable?
Keith,
I love the NLT translation and am curious how the Mosaic Bible appeals to everyday Bible students versus Bible scholars.
I tweeted, Larry.
I've enjoyed using the NLT when I'm writing. In many instances, it captures just the emphasis I need.
Here's my (controversial) question. Someone recently sent me a list of translations that a particular entity would see as grounds not to carry their books in their bookstore. (In other words, if the book you wrote used the NLT as one of the translations you quoted, it would be a significant enough red flag that the ministry wouldn't shelve that book.) I believe this has to do with gender neutral language, but I'm not sure.
Question: What kind of controversy has the NLT had in regards to its translation, and how do you answer those critics?
I like the idea of keeping the Biblical text and devotional material separate. My question is, To which age group does this particular edition of the NLT appeal?
Hi Keith, I noted that you are Senior Pastor of a Weslyan church. Perhaps you are more keenly aware of some of the closed attitudes regarding newer translations of the Bible in some of the more traditionally conservative holiness churches. What advice would you give to Christians who have reservations about venturing outside the KJV and Amplified texts to allay their concerns?
Hello! I love the Daily Walk version of the New Living Translation and have read through it several times. I'm wondering if the devotional and helps materials found in the Mosaic Bible will be suitable for new Christians or will it be too deep? Can't wait to see the artwork! Sounds like an awesome Bible!
Keith, why did you call it the MOSAIC NLT?
Hi Everyone ... I should point out that some of the discussion is also happening on another post, which is my review Mosiac, posted today. Check it out here: http://www.lawrencewilson.com/2009/10/i-love-mosaic-approach-you.html
@KimberlyMIchalski ... To clarify, I am a senior pastor at Fall Creek Wesleyan. Keith Williams, who is also posting comments today, is a friend and also the editor of Mosaic.
I sympathize with those who desire a more literalistic approach. I was once afraid that the dynamic translations would allow for theological bias to enter the translation. I think that's true to some degree--and I think even the "static" translations have to answer that charge.
As a pastor, however, I'm more concerned that people get the Bible into their hands and read it. The more fluid, easier-to-read translations are much more like to get read, and that matters.
I believe the translators of the major editions are doing their best to transmit the text, just as the ancient scribes did, who hand copied Greek and Hebrew manuscripts--not without error. In both cases, God watches over his Word and sees that his meaning is preserved.
In the end, I think it's better when more people read more of the Bible!
So many questions (!), I'll try to address them all in a categories:
NLT & Bible translation issues
The Living Bible and the NLT are sort of like distant cousins. The wikipedia pages for the Living Bible and the New Living Translation (see especially the section on translation history) are helpful in explaining the relationship.
The controversy surrounding a number of translations over the issue of gender language is unfortunately full of misunderstandings and misinformation. I would suggest that any ministry that would flag a product as unsuitable because it uses the NLT for Scripture references is misguided.
The NLT translators are all committed Christians and respected Bible scholars. They have worked very hard over the last twenty years to create a translation of the Bible in English that is as clear as possible in English while at the same time being absolutely faithful to the meaning of the original languages.
Gender language is an often misunderstood topic in Bible translation, but it is an issue that must be faced when translating from Greek and Hebrew to English. Many words that are used in traditional translations appear to have gender-specific meaning in English (e.g., "brothers," "men," "he,"), whereas the Greek or Hebrew words that underlie those translations would have been clearly understood by the original audience to include both men and women. Translations that reflect this in the way they translate those words (such as the NLT and TNIV) are sometimes accused of distorting Scripture, when in fact they are simply attempting to make the meaning as clear as possible.
Short answer to a big discussion/debate, and I could go into more detail, but this is a blog comment, not a book!
Audience for the Mosaic Bible
I think any Christian could benefit from this Bible, though different kinds of people will interact with the material differently.
Obviously new believers and those under 16 or so will not have the same experience as a pastor or church leader, but everyone will benefit from seeing the artwork and reading the words of Christians from around the world and throughout history. Also, the introduction of the churhc year and the Scripture readings will be great for anyone. (I also said a bit about audience in a comment on Lawrence's other post).
Age group is an interesting question, because many people at Tyndale assumed this Bible would primarily appeal to 18-30 year olds. I have found that it actually appeals to a much broader age-range, however. Everyone I have shown it to (I haven't tried showing it to children or young teens) has expressed interest.
Final question, why did we call it Mosaic? We felt that the image of a mosaic, with a beautiful picture made up of many different, colorful parts, was a fitting picture not only for the product itself, but also for the universal Church of which we are all a part.
Thanks for so many great questions! I'll try to keep up as more come in.
I really like my new King James and the Amplified. However, there are times when I would still like to know some of the Hebrew or Greek words. Does your Mosaic do some of that? And, how does the Mosaic compare to the new King James or Amplified?
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