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nbp1:introduction

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Introduction

The Noachide Study Bible

Question: What's the best bible translation? We recommend Artscroll's Stone Tanach if you can get it, or the JPS1985 Tanach if you cannot. In a pinch, try an RSV or NRSV. You can look at Isaiah 7:14 as a quick acid-test to see if you have a reliable translation or not. If it mentions 'young woman' it's reliable; if it mentions 'virgin,' it is not. However, please remember there are no reliable 'Christian' versions of the bible; all of them have shoehorned Christian theology back-translated into the Old Testament, and are often 'missing the point' in the first place.

The Noachide Bible Project

Frustrated with various translations, I decided to create my own. I wanted a convenient “Counter-Missionary Study Bible” which would serve as a theologically sound bible to refer to for people who have become disillusioned with Christian “translations” which so often warp the underlying Hebrew, switch back and forth between Septuagint and Masoretic text whenever it is convenient, and outright change the text of the bible to suit theological preferences.

If you are in the process of leaving Christianity, don't throw the baby out with the bath-water! You can still believe in God. And this is a bible designed to help you with your journey.

Here are the fundamental principles I will follow when creating this bible:

  • Keep, wherever possible, the beloved and familiar wording of the KJV (which is in the public domain).
  • Update the language away from archaic pronouns such as Thee and Thou except where they may be used with effect.
  • Verify the strength of the translation and the theological sound-ness of the text by comparing it with a reading of the OEB, RSV, the JPS Tanach, the ArtScroll Stone Edition Tanach and other recommended or accepted works.

Why not just use (insert bible here)

For example, Why not just use the KJV?

This bible is being created with the specific intention to illustrate the path of the Noachide. I plan to include a lot of commentary. Also, some theological basis is only revealed in copyrighted translations such as the Stone Edition. Therefore, there is a perceived need for a modern, accurate translation which reads well (quotes may pass in theological debate), which solidly illustrates the relevant important points for Noachides, and which can be trusted (relied upon) to do so throughout it's entirety. The fact that I plan to attach my own commentary to this and make it double as a counter-missionary study bible – particularly for those people leaving the church, or considering a conversion after growing up in Christian-Secular society – means that no existing bible can be relied upon to speak directly to the Noachide in all cases. It may very well be true that such a bible exists, and if we find one we will certainly promote it. Even so, it is a worthy endeavour, an honor, to contribute to the number of sound and trustworthy readings available.

Phase One

The first phase of this project will be a quick “first pass” collection and analysis of various translations such as the OEB, WEB, KJV, JPS 1917 and others in the public domain, and is intended to be an extremely long document. It would be fair to say we may find ourselves for the most part picking and choosing from among various public domain translations on a line by line basis depending on how they compare with recommended or advised translations, making unique changes to the wording solely for readability and theological consistency. All changes made will be noted. Special notes on the process will appear in Genesis Phase 1 Overview including a short discussion of lessons learned during the first phase of the efforts made on Genesis.

Start

Welcome to the Noachide Bible Project, Phase One.

Executive Summary

To give a short explanation,​ Phase One is where we will analyze various public domain translations,​ compare them theologically to recommended translations (such as the ArtScroll Stone Edition Tanach), and decide which particular wording to use based on what is in the public domain.

Our goal is to keep a familiar beloved wording such as what may be found in the KJV while providing a sound and reliable base text for people who require a closer link to the authentic Hebrew text than is usually possible.

A special concordance will be started here which is intended to allow readers to quickly find supporting material on topics commonly associated with various passages; to show certain theological principles and their basis (such as the basis for various Noachide laws). ​

On top of this there will be a sort of commentary similar to the Wesley Study Bible which deals with missionary and counter-missionary tactics, with an eye to supporting people who are in a process of transition.

Source Material

Starting by drawing immediately from the following public domain source material:

Multiple versions may be compared using the above site such as comparing ASV and RSV as follows:

Chapter headings are interesting enough to take note of. For example, comparing the Amplified Bible, Christian Study Bible, and the RSV, we find different translations may often have different headings; For example Ruth 1, 2 and 3 are rendered as follows

  • OEB: Naomi and Ruth, In the Fields of Boaz, Night and Morning.
  • AMP: Naomi Widowed, Ruth Gleans in Boaz’ Field, Boaz Will Redeem Ruth
  • RSV: Elimelech’s Family Goes to Moab, Ruth Meets Boaz, Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor
  • CSV: Naomi’s Family in Moab, Ruth and Boaz Meet, Ruth's Appeal to Boaz
  • NET: A Family Tragedy: Famine and Death, Ruth Works in the Field of Boaz, Naomi Instructs Ruth
  • ESV: Naomi Widowed, Ruth Meets Boaz, Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor
  • NASB: Naomi Widowed, Ruth Gleans in Boaz’ Field, Boaz Will Redeem Ruth
  • MEV: Naomi Loses, Ruth Meets Boaz, Ruth’s Redemption
  • CEV: Ruth is Loyal to Naomi, Ruth Meets Boaz, Naomi Makes Plans for Ruth
  • NLT: Elimelech Moves His Family to Moab, Ruth Works in Boaz’s Field, Ruth at the Threshing Floor

The chapter and story heading will not follow any particular translation but will be pulled from a PD source and then we will see if we can come up with a better heading for any particular settings

Books of the Bible

Multiple versions may be compared using the above site such as comparing ASV and RSV as follows:

Chapter headings are interesting enough to take note of. For example, comparing the Amplified Bible, Christian Study Bible, and the RSV, we find different translations may often have different headings; For example Ruth 1, 2 and 3 are rendered as follows

* OEB: Naomi and Ruth, In the Fields of Boaz, Night and Morning.

  • AMP: Naomi Widowed, Ruth Gleans in Boaz’ Field, Boaz Will Redeem Ruth
  • RSV: Elimelech’s Family Goes to Moab, Ruth Meets Boaz, Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor
  • CSV: Naomi’s Family in Moab, Ruth and Boaz Meet, Ruth's Appeal to Boaz
  • NET: A Family Tragedy: Famine and Death, Ruth Works in the Field of Boaz, Naomi Instructs Ruth
  • ESV: Naomi Widowed, Ruth Meets Boaz, Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor
  • NASB: Naomi Widowed, Ruth Gleans in Boaz’ Field, Boaz Will Redeem Ruth
  • MEV: Naomi Loses, Ruth Meets Boaz, Ruth’s Redemption
  • CEV: Ruth is Loyal to Naomi, Ruth Meets Boaz, Naomi Makes Plans for Ruth
  • NLT: Elimelech Moves His Family to Moab, Ruth Works in Boaz’s Field, Ruth at the Threshing Floor

The chapter and story heading will not follow any particular translation but will be pulled from a PD source and then we will see if we can come up with a better heading for any particular settings

Books of the Bible

nbp1/introduction.txt · Last modified: 2023/09/30 09:14 by 127.0.0.1
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