Bibles. OT scholar Dr Margaret Barker has a rule of thumb to take the temperature, as it were, of a translation. Look at Psalm 1, verse 1. If it begins “Blessed” you’re probably on to a good thing. If not, you’re not. Of Babylon Bee’s selection, a fair number pass the Barker test: NIV, KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV. NRSV (not one of Bee’s Bibles) does not, and neither does The Message, but I forgive Dr Peterson anything since his work is quite marvellous.
Henry Morton
7 years ago
Mark Hedley’s paper is just one side of the coin. How many clergy are finding themselves on the wrong side of the CDM as a consequence of ill health generally, and mental health issues more specifically? The lawyers can easily pontificate about WHAT constitutes an offence under the CDM, and what the penalties should be. The question of WHY gets very little coverage or consideration – as an integral part of the Measure. OK, you could argue that this is what a bishop does after representations have been made by the cleric who is the subject of a complaint. But… Read more »
David Gibson
7 years ago
Yes, exactly, Henry Morton. Of course, we need a CDM – not least to deal with those who abuse their trust and prey on the vulnerable. But I live and worship in a diocese that seems only too keen to deploy the provisions of the CDM, with little regard for the stress it causes the cleric concerned, particularly when it is a relatively minor matter. It encourages complaints from vindictive parishioners (and that IS a blunt weapon when there are no parallel processes to deal with toxic churchwardens and the like). Reading Sir Mark Hedley’s paper, you would think that… Read more »
CDM. As a Church of Ireland Rector 2011-2014 I found myself in the midst of conflict between diocese and parish over a merger of two Select Vestries (PCCs in CoE). Parishioners were split into those willing to cooperate, and those unwilling. There was bullying, intimidation, solicitors’ letters flying between one group and the other, one to me, complaints about me to Diocesan Council to which I had to insist on responding. You can imagine the worry for my wife and me. Early on, as soon as I sensed that this could run and run (and it has: my successor lasted… Read more »
Rod Gillis, thanks for the Hengel recommendation. My eyesight is such that I’d like it on Kindle, which it isn’t, yet. As a late ordinand who studied on a part time non-residential course for two years, I know little Greek and no Hebrew. I feel the lack, so books like Hengel are a great blessing for me – as are unstuffy experts like Margaret Barker who lives close at hand.
David Rowett
7 years ago
Yup, I like Margaret Barker’s rule of thumb (though I regard the NRSV as one of the better translations, it still causeth me to wince from time to time – but mine does translate the Hebrew as ‘Blessed’).
My dodginess detector, honed over many years, is to be suspicious of any translation whose rendition of Isaiah 7.14 includes the word ‘virgin’…. Including, perhaps, the LXX!
Bibles. OT scholar Dr Margaret Barker has a rule of thumb to take the temperature, as it were, of a translation. Look at Psalm 1, verse 1. If it begins “Blessed” you’re probably on to a good thing. If not, you’re not. Of Babylon Bee’s selection, a fair number pass the Barker test: NIV, KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV. NRSV (not one of Bee’s Bibles) does not, and neither does The Message, but I forgive Dr Peterson anything since his work is quite marvellous.
Mark Hedley’s paper is just one side of the coin. How many clergy are finding themselves on the wrong side of the CDM as a consequence of ill health generally, and mental health issues more specifically? The lawyers can easily pontificate about WHAT constitutes an offence under the CDM, and what the penalties should be. The question of WHY gets very little coverage or consideration – as an integral part of the Measure. OK, you could argue that this is what a bishop does after representations have been made by the cleric who is the subject of a complaint. But… Read more »
Yes, exactly, Henry Morton. Of course, we need a CDM – not least to deal with those who abuse their trust and prey on the vulnerable. But I live and worship in a diocese that seems only too keen to deploy the provisions of the CDM, with little regard for the stress it causes the cleric concerned, particularly when it is a relatively minor matter. It encourages complaints from vindictive parishioners (and that IS a blunt weapon when there are no parallel processes to deal with toxic churchwardens and the like). Reading Sir Mark Hedley’s paper, you would think that… Read more »
CDM. As a Church of Ireland Rector 2011-2014 I found myself in the midst of conflict between diocese and parish over a merger of two Select Vestries (PCCs in CoE). Parishioners were split into those willing to cooperate, and those unwilling. There was bullying, intimidation, solicitors’ letters flying between one group and the other, one to me, complaints about me to Diocesan Council to which I had to insist on responding. You can imagine the worry for my wife and me. Early on, as soon as I sensed that this could run and run (and it has: my successor lasted… Read more »
Rod Gillis, thanks for the Hengel recommendation. My eyesight is such that I’d like it on Kindle, which it isn’t, yet. As a late ordinand who studied on a part time non-residential course for two years, I know little Greek and no Hebrew. I feel the lack, so books like Hengel are a great blessing for me – as are unstuffy experts like Margaret Barker who lives close at hand.
Yup, I like Margaret Barker’s rule of thumb (though I regard the NRSV as one of the better translations, it still causeth me to wince from time to time – but mine does translate the Hebrew as ‘Blessed’).
My dodginess detector, honed over many years, is to be suspicious of any translation whose rendition of Isaiah 7.14 includes the word ‘virgin’…. Including, perhaps, the LXX!