Writing an updated version of the Bible. Advice?

[ntsouls]

So I am writing an updated version of the Bible. I'm starting with Genesis tho. Which i finished, just needs edited a bit.
But I need some advice.
Like...I want to make it a bit more accessible to young people. Such as keeping the stories the same, but changing the locations to US locations.
Also attempting to make it a little more entertaining...
But i dont want to lose the original stories at all.

So any advice or anyone interested. Let me know..

 

[damian002]

Are you trolling, bro, or are you serious? lol

 

[RedTent]

It isn't just the writing, it is the preparation you need to start writing. You need a thorough understanding of Hebrew. That language is difficult, so be prepared for long study. It evolved over the long period of time the OT covers, as all languages do, so it will be like studying many languages. They thought in a different way than we do, too, you will need to understand that. For example, the word love was written as a picture of bringing gifts. You need to understand how that meant love to them.

Now, you will need a thorough understanding of the culture of the period you are translating. For example you need to know what salt meant to them and how they used it differently over the centuries your translation covers. To be sure you are accurate, you need the culture of the different nations the bible refers to, also.

Next, study the different ancient translations of the bible very thoroughly.

You will need a period of retreat in a quiet place, a time of listening prayer with the Lord, to be sure you are not using your own ideas of what scripture says, but only reflect ideas of the Lord.

When all this is done, it is going to point you to other ways you need to prepare yourself.

 

[ntsouls]

Are you trolling, bro, or are you serious? lol

No way. I mean there needs to be a version that is more accessible. What percentage of young Christians have read the ENTIRE Bible?
Not even young Christians. ALL Christians?

I'm tentatively calling it 21st Century Holy Bible. Not to be confused with 21st Century King James version.

It isn't just the writing, it is the preparation you need to start writing. You need a thorough understanding of Hebrew. That language is difficult, so be prepared for long study. It evolved over the long period of time the OT covers, as all languages do, so it will be like studying many languages. They thought in a different way than we do, too, you will need to understand that. For example, the word love was written as a picture of bringing gifts. You need to understand how that meant love to them.

Now, you will need a thorough understanding of the culture of the period you are translating. For example you need to know what salt meant to them and how they used it differently over the centuries your translation covers. To be sure you are accurate, you need the culture of the different nations the bible refers to, also.

Next, study the different ancient translations of the bible very thoroughly.

You will need a period of retreat in a quiet place, a time of listening prayer with the Lord, to be sure you are not using your own ideas of what scripture says, but only reflect ideas of the Lord.

When all this is done, it is going to point you to other ways you need to prepare yourself.

Well. I was thinking of translating it from English...to ....modern English. Like how we all speak now.
Its kind of a translation and transplantation.

 

[tarzan]

I believe that if young people are not willing to learn what the Lord has said and how He has said it, then they aren't going to be interested in reading the handicapped version either.

Changing the places and the names will affect the meaning greatly at that.

Young people should be encouraged to read, and learn, and understand, and grow.

Isn't it already a problem with the education system that the teachers are required now to patronize the unlearned minds and to appeal to their desire to stay unlearned?

Should we delete God's history and change the places and the names?

This does not sound right.

Here is a small excerpt from an article that you should read. The source is at the end of this post.

When what God has said in His inspired Word, the Bible, is disregarded by those who claim to be Christians, there is no logical limit to the errors or indeed the blasphemy to which this opens the door.Today many pastors and theologians think they are doing the church a favour by substituting theistic evolution for recent Creation in Genesis, and by denying that the biblical accounts of the Flood and Babel are part of Earth’s true history. However, such persons have no authority to censor the Word of God in this way, any more than the liberal German Christians had to dejudaize it.
Without exception, all attempts to marry Christianity to the worldview of unbelievers contravenes biblical authority, and subverts the faith of Christians. At the same time, it cuts no ice with atheists and agnostics. Just as the Nazis whom Grundmann was trying to impress treated him with disdain, many anti-theists have nothing but contempt for Christians who do not believe their own Holy Book.[SUP]7[/SUP]

Source: Hitler Bible - creation.com

 

[KohenMatt]

With all do respect, what you're proposing is no different than the Message translation. If you substitute Biblical places with American ones, you will be missing a great deal of truth that the Bible preaches. Maybe they're read it (Not many I would guess), but they wouldn't understand a lot of it because of the substitutions.

If you really want to get people reading the Bible, don't create more division by creating YET ANOTHER translation. Get involved in their lives and show them the Living Word though a written word that already exists.

 

[just-me]

So I am writing an updated version of the Bible. I'm starting with Genesis tho. Which i finished, just needs edited a bit.
But I need some advice.
Like...I want to make it a bit more accessible to young people. Such as keeping the stories the same, but changing the locations to US locations.
Also attempting to make it a little more entertaining...
But i dont want to lose the original stories at all.

So any advice or anyone interested. Let me know..

Locations mean a lot in reference to Jerusalem and the sacrifice with Issac. I wouldn't change anything. I don't think God would approve of your quest. Just sayin"

Revelation 22:18
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

 

[ntsouls]

I believe that if young people are not willing to learn what the Lord has said and how He has said it, then they aren't going to be interested in reading the handicapped version either.

Changing the places and the names will affect the meaning greatly at that.

Young people should be encouraged to read, and learn, and understand, and grow.

Isn't it already a problem with the education system that the teachers are required now to patronize the unlearned minds and to appeal to their desire to stay unlearned?

Should we delete God's history and change the places and the names?

This does not sound right.

Here is a small excerpt from an article that you should read. The source is at the end of this post.



Source: Hitler Bible - creation.com

Well. When I taught English in China. They learned best when they were having fun.

Everyone learns differently. SO I cant think to expect everyone to merely WANT to do something because its good for them.

With all do respect, what you're proposing is no different than the Message translation. If you substitute Biblical places with American ones, you will be missing a great deal of truth that the Bible preaches. Maybe they're read it (Not many I would guess), but they wouldn't understand a lot of it because of the substitutions.

If you really want to get people reading the Bible, don't create more division by creating YET ANOTHER translation. Get involved in their lives and show them the Living Word though a written word that already exists.

I just think its difficult, with the limited network i have now, to go out and influence everyone to do what they need to do.

Well if you can. Check out what I have and tell me what you think.
I'm doing a twitter version it. My twitter handle is c21HolyBible

 

[ntsouls]

Locations mean a lot in reference to Jerusalem and the sacrifice with Issac. I wouldn't change anything. I don't think God would approve of your quest. Just sayin"

Revelation 22:18
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Does John mean the whole book? Or his book? Or what?

 

[breno785au]

Does John mean the whole book? Or his book? Or what?

I dont mean to insult you by saying this but if you don't know the answer to that question, you shouldn't be translating the bible.

 

[posthuman]

Like...I want to make it a bit more accessible to young people. Such as keeping the stories the same, but changing the locations to US locations.

sounds like the 'Cotton Patch Gospels'

have you ever heard of those?

here is a link -- Koinonia Partners

 

[ntsouls]

sounds like the 'Cotton Patch Gospels'

have you ever heard of those?

here is a link -- Koinonia Partners

Yes. Ohh..
Well this is good.

Wel if you have a chance check out my version and tell me what you think. Give me a critique.

 

[posthuman]

OK it took a little to find a copy of it online, but this link has the Cottonpatch version of Matthew posted, and if you navigate around the site in the link, you can find the other books posted there too.

link: http://hopefaithprayer.com/scriptures/cotton-patch-gospel-matthew-clarence-jordan/

this is far beyond even a paraphrase; it replaces all the locations with references to the southern US.
shouldn't be taken in any respect as a replacement - but some light fun reading for a Christian who knows the NT already, or maybe as a way to get someone's attention stirred so that they are interested to read a proper translation.

this is so similar to what i think you are talking about wanting to do, ntsouls, have a look!

i have all these in paperback in some box, somewhere up in the attic..

 

[KohenMatt]

I just think its difficult, with the limited network i have now, to go out and influence everyone to do what they need to do.

In the time it would take you to excellently translate the Bible, you could have far more positive influence in the lives of the people that God has placed in your life, in whatever network you have.

 

[posthuman]

just to correct earlier post:

i was mistaken about the link i posted. only Matthew, Romans and James are on posted at the link i gave, not all the Cottonpatch books.

to put my opinion:
as long as it is made clear that this 'retelling' is exactly that, and one is faithful to the Word, i think this could be valuably used as a witnessing and evangelizing tool.

i understand and agree with those of you who are urging respect for the scripture - i don't like 'the message' or other paraphrases of the Word at all, but something like the Cottonpatch version is so obviously not meant to be taken as a translation i feel OK about it. other paraphrases paint themselves as being a legitimate contemporary version -- the version i linked to doesn't have such a pretense.

so (i think) i appreciate what ntsouls is aiming at, and i don't want to discourage Him to work towards spreading the gospel, but at the same time it needs to be clear that the actual scriptures are sacrosanct, and a work like this thread describes would be fiction, not scripture.

 

[JustAnotherUser]

Then the kids will think the bible took place in America... Good job.

 

[just-me]

Does John mean the whole book? Or his book? Or what?

Revelation was just a reference to that book alone I think. Nevertheless, I think that it pertains to all of God's word accordingly in the same respect.

Proverbs 24:21-22
21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change :
22 For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

I wouldn't even attempt to re-right the word. It has been changed enough through the centuries. So much has been lost, but yet the truth concerning the salvation of Jesus Christ has been preserved despite. During the time of King James, there were scribes that died because they didn't have the interpretations right. There are many seemingly contradictions in the Bible that cause one to research deeply for the right spiritual meaning.

 

[KohenMatt]

And basically, by changing the names in the Bible, you're lying about what the Bible says.

It's truth, not fiction.

 

[ntsouls]

just to correct earlier post:

i was mistaken about the link i posted. only Matthew, Romans and James are on posted at the link i gave, not all the Cottonpatch books.

to put my opinion:
as long as it is made clear that this 'retelling' is exactly that, and one is faithful to the Word, i think this could be valuably used as a witnessing and evangelizing tool.

i understand and agree with those of you who are urging respect for the scripture - i don't like 'the message' or other paraphrases of the Word at all, but something like the Cottonpatch version is so obviously not meant to be taken as a translation i feel OK about it. other paraphrases paint themselves as being a legitimate contemporary version -- the version i linked to doesn't have such a pretense.

so (i think) i appreciate what ntsouls is aiming at, and i don't want to discourage Him to work towards spreading the gospel, but at the same time it needs to be clear that the actual scriptures are sacrosanct, and a work like this thread describes would be fiction, not scripture.

Yes. I'm not trying to replace the bible. Just spark interest in the generation of my own. Those who can't pay attention for long.

Then the kids will think the bible took place in America... Good job.

As opposed to never know what lies within the old testament period?

Think about it.

Anyways. My goal is to start with the Old Testament. The first 5 books. Then move on after that.

Any of you interested in reading it?

I have it on blogspot.
and twitter
https://twitter.com/c21HolyBible
21st Century Holy Bible

 

[breno785au]

So where did God put Adam? In Madison Square Garden? ) oh that's gold!