Comments on: OTFTW 1: Out of the Best Books http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/2009/11/otftw-1-out-of-the-best-books/ exploring Mormon thought, culture, and texts Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:02:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Nitsav http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/2009/11/otftw-1-out-of-the-best-books/#comment-26172 Nitsav Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:46:14 +0000 http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/?p=2505#comment-26172 Regarding Alter, two reasons- 1) Marketing. Alter now has the Torah (i.e. Genesis- Deuteronomy), Psalms, and 1-2 Samuel. In a Gospel Doctrine setting, where convincing people who may have a pre-existing bias against it to buy another translation, or who have minimal interest, an incomplete translation with a specific/specialized focus isn't an easy sell. That said, I think his work is great, and I appreciate his commentary on the literary aspects more than his actual translation. If one wants to get at the Hebrew or literary sense, I can certainly endorse his work. One step further beyond is the Shocken Bible, by Everett Fox, which also includes notes, but is limited to the Torah. That translation sacrifices smooth English for the "feeling" or flavor of the Hebrew. There's a sample of Genesis 22 <a href="http://www.bible-researcher.com/schocken.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>. I should note as well, that the Schocken Bible is available electronically for <a href="http://www.accordancebible.com/store/details/?pid=SB" rel="nofollow">Accordance users</a>. (See here for my <a href="http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/2008/11/software-smackdown-for-the-bible-geek-and-interested-layperson/" rel="nofollow">Bible software smackdown</a>, now outdated by the major upgrade that is Logos 4.) 2) Space- I had a single-spaced, reduced margin double-sided piece of paper. Only so many things could be included. As for Brueggeman, his work is more scholarly and theology-oriented, and I confess I am less familiar with his work then I should be. When putting my list together, his work simply didn't come to mind at all for my intended audience. I know he gets generally good reviews, but I can't offer an informed opinion in any detail at this time. Regarding Alter, two reasons-

1) Marketing. Alter now has the Torah (i.e. Genesis- Deuteronomy), Psalms, and 1-2 Samuel. In a Gospel Doctrine setting, where convincing people who may have a pre-existing bias against it to buy another translation, or who have minimal interest, an incomplete translation with a specific/specialized focus isn’t an easy sell. That said, I think his work is great, and I appreciate his commentary on the literary aspects more than his actual translation.

If one wants to get at the Hebrew or literary sense, I can certainly endorse his work. One step further beyond is the Shocken Bible, by Everett Fox, which also includes notes, but is limited to the Torah. That translation sacrifices smooth English for the “feeling” or flavor of the Hebrew. There’s a sample of Genesis 22 here. I should note as well, that the Schocken Bible is available electronically for Accordance users. (See here for my Bible software smackdown, now outdated by the major upgrade that is Logos 4.)

2) Space- I had a single-spaced, reduced margin double-sided piece of paper. Only so many things could be included.

As for Brueggeman, his work is more scholarly and theology-oriented, and I confess I am less familiar with his work then I should be. When putting my list together, his work simply didn’t come to mind at all for my intended audience. I know he gets generally good reviews, but I can’t offer an informed opinion in any detail at this time.

]]> By: Dave http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/2009/11/otftw-1-out-of-the-best-books/#comment-26171 Dave Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:35:33 +0000 http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/?p=2505#comment-26171 Nitsav, I notice you did not mention Alter's books that are new translations of Genesis and, separately, the entire Torah, with commentary. I also notice you have included nothing by Breugemann. I've found these to be helpful. Comments? Nitsav, I notice you did not mention Alter’s books that are new translations of Genesis and, separately, the entire Torah, with commentary. I also notice you have included nothing by Breugemann. I’ve found these to be helpful. Comments?

]]> By: Nitsav http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/2009/11/otftw-1-out-of-the-best-books/#comment-26133 Nitsav Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:18:28 +0000 http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/?p=2505#comment-26133 Sheldon, I found Levine's lecture series very uneven (though of course, worth listening to.) I'm uncertain why she was asked to do several of their OT lectures, since she seems to be a New Testament scholar and there are plenty of OT people to pick from. I enjoyed the Genesis series, though Rendsburg's delivery is a bit stilted, like he's uncomfortable with the format. He gets better over time. http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/CourseDescLong2.aspx?cid=6234 Sheldon, I found Levine’s lecture series very uneven (though of course, worth listening to.)
I’m uncertain why she was asked to do several of their OT lectures, since she seems to be a New Testament scholar and there are plenty of OT people to pick from.
I enjoyed the Genesis series, though Rendsburg’s delivery is a bit stilted, like he’s uncomfortable with the format. He gets better over time.

http://www.teach12.com/ttcx/CourseDescLong2.aspx?cid=6234

]]> By: Sheldon http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/2009/11/otftw-1-out-of-the-best-books/#comment-26039 Sheldon Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:51:27 +0000 http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/?p=2505#comment-26039 Another source that I have found useful is Amy-Jill Levine's 24 part lecture series on the Old Testament from the Teaching Company. The format doesn't lend itself to reference use, but she covers most of the major issues in an effective way. It is an easy way to approach Hebrew Bible scholarship. Another source that I have found useful is Amy-Jill Levine’s 24 part lecture series on the Old Testament from the Teaching Company. The format doesn’t lend itself to reference use, but she covers most of the major issues in an effective way. It is an easy way to approach Hebrew Bible scholarship.

]]> By: Ben http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/2009/11/otftw-1-out-of-the-best-books/#comment-25974 Ben Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:45:23 +0000 http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/?p=2505#comment-25974 This is very helpful, Nitsav, especially since I am preparing my "Intro to the Old Testament" Sunday School lesson right now. I don't think I could recommend Kugel's book enough--I loved it. This is very helpful, Nitsav, especially since I am preparing my “Intro to the Old Testament” Sunday School lesson right now.

I don’t think I could recommend Kugel’s book enough–I loved it.

]]> By: Chris H. http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/2009/11/otftw-1-out-of-the-best-books/#comment-25926 Chris H. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:58:59 +0000 http://www.faithpromotingrumor.com/?p=2505#comment-25926 Just in time for Black Friday. Thanks, Nitsav. I am teaching 16 and 17 year-old and feel a need to get some grounding. (If I was still attending the adult class I would be reading for the purpose of causing trouble...I cannot help it). Just in time for Black Friday. Thanks, Nitsav.

I am teaching 16 and 17 year-old and feel a need to get some grounding. (If I was still attending the adult class I would be reading for the purpose of causing trouble…I cannot help it).

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