BOOK NOTES

 

The New English Bible is to be published in March. This is the entire Bible, not just the New Testament which was issued in 1961. Our advance copy reveals that this is a tremendous piece of work, a fresh and authoritative translation of the Bible in modern English. It has been twenty years in preparation. It attempts to avoid both archaisms and transient modernisms in making the scriptures as contemporary as the daily newspaper. Prof. C. H. Dodd of Cambridge was the director of the project, and he set forth three principles that guided the work: (1) The work is to be a new translation, not just a revision of previous works, having the objective of rendering the original into contemporary English; (2) Regard shall be paid to the native idiom and current usage of the English language, with Hebraisms and other un-English expressions avoided; (3) The translation shall be printed in paragraph form, with poetical books and passages shall be in verse form, and the modern system of punctuation, including quotation marks, shall be employed.

It is perhaps the first such work that has had young people especially in mind. But they also had in mind “that considerable number of intelligent people who do attend church, for whom the traditional language is so familiar that its phrases slide over their minds almost without stirring a ripple.” Dr. Dodd put it this way: “We aim at a version which shall be as intelligible to contemporary readers as the original version was to its first readers—or as nearly so as possible.”

The text is large and clear, with the type set in single column rather than the usual two. Subject matter on a page is given at the top and sections are set off under separate heading, such as Gen. 6:1 having the title of “The flood and the tower of Babel.” The names for the Creator are settled by using Lord (instead of Jehovah or Yahweh) and God. Job is set in poetry. The author of Ecclesiastes is the “Speaker” rather than “Preacher,” and in Isaiah it is “the chief officer” who confronts Hezekiah rather than Rabshakeh.

The New Testament, published ten years ago, has undergone constant revision in an effort to benefit from all criticisms made of it. So in getting the Standard Edition in one volume one will have in hand the completed work of the corporate body of translators. There are other editions, but we have elected to handle only the Standard Edition, consisting of both Testaments. The price is 8.95. The binding is in handsome blue with gold print, but looking as much like a college text as anything else.

Once you have this volume in hand, I would suggest you begin at once to read it aloud in the family circle, and use it to compare readings in other versions. If you send the 8.95 in cash, we’ll pay the postage. I would urge that you order at once, for the demand will be great. In just 10 years the New Testament alone sold over 7 millions copies!

The New Testament (Second Edition) is available in paperback at only 1.75.

Those who are interested in a serious study of Isaiah should consider the 3-volume work of Edward J. Young at 9.95 per volume. It is a conservative work, arguing for the unity of the book, but giving both sides to the question of a Second Isaiah.

We list here a number of titles that have been favorites with our readers. You might want to pick up your copy.

The New Testament by Oscar Cullmann is an introduction that provides insights into how the writings came about and how they compare with each other. 1.95.

More Than a Man Can Take is a study of the Book of Job. 2.25.

Making Ethical Decisions discusses moral problems of the Christian. In his discussion of friendship he shows how Jesus preferred the wrong kind of people. Only 1.00.

The Threshold of Christianity is a study of the times between the Testaments. 96 pages packed with information. 1.85.

Servants without Hire is a study of concept of the ministry in Campbell-Stone Movement. 2.50.

We still have copies of Voices of Concern: Critical Studies in Church of Christism at 3.50.

A. T. DeGroot’s The Restoration Principle gives one the background to the idea of Restoration, which goes far back into church history, long before the Campbells came along. Then he gives his idea of what this means in our day. Only 1.50.

A history of the Restoration Movement that we should all have is Christians Only by James DeForest Murch. 3.50.

Hazard of the Die is the story of Tolbert Fanning and the Restoration Movement. 4.95.

We will send you 6 volumes of Carl Ketcherside’s Mission Messenger for only 18.00, and allow you to pay for them at 5.00 monthly with no additional charge.

We will send you on the same basis the 17-volume Daily Bible Study by Barclay, which sells for 47.00. It is a big seller all over the nation and in Europe.

Why Christians Crack Up gets into the psychology of your Christian self, dealing as it does with emotional disturbances, their roots and remedies. It also talks about your neighbor! 3.95.

 

ADVENTURES IN CHRISTIAN FREEDOM This is a series of monthly meetings which will be held on every first Monday at 7:30 at Wynnewood Chapel, 2303 S. Tyler, Dallas. An able brother of the area, from all Restoration groups, will be invited each month to explore some subject in depth, then share in an open discussion with those present. We are hopeful of this being very edifying and intensely interesting. The first meeting is April 6 with Prof. David Reagan of Austin College in Sherman as the speaker. For more information call either L. M. Roberts ar 337-1678 or Dick Smith at 371-7501.