I have a question for all my readers… what would your “ideal Bible” look like?
For a while I have been desiring certain features in a Bible, such as, Greek and Hebrew along with a solid English translation; perhaps with or without Chapter and Verse divisions; maybe it would have cross references; a single column rather than two columns; room to write notes.
What about changing the book order, especially in the Old Testament?
Remove all transliterated words like “baptism” and “deacon” and replace them with their translations like “immersion” and “servant,” respectively.
What are your thoughts? What do you want in a Bible that you can’t get now?
The reason I ask is because I have thought about creating my own Bible. With direct printing services available from companies like Lulu.com or Cafepress.com this is definitely a real possibility. Of course it will take a lot of work and time, but I think it would be worth it… at least for me.
Lew,
This is an interesting question. My initial response is: The ideal Bible is the one that someone reads.
I guess, for me, I don’t have one particular ideal Bible. I would like to see a Bible with the OT in the TaNaK ordering. I’m not sure what NT ordering that I would like that see.
-Alan
Fascinating idea, actually. I would take Alan’s comment a bit further and say that the ideal Bible is the one that someone lives!
While the study required to accomplish what you’re considering would certainly have benefits, I have to wonder if the time wouldn’t be better spent just finding ways in your life to live out what you already have discovered in the Bible.
I don’t mean that in any way to be patronizing, so please don’t read it as such. I just feel like I’m getting to a point in my understanding where I’m starting to realize that the Bible isn’t the thing to focus on. Yes, what’s in it is important to know and read and learn about, but WHO is in it is the thing that the Bible seeks to point to anyway.
For that, do book order, particular translation, etc. really make that much of a difference?
I’m thinking “out loud” here, and may sound a lot more heretical than intended ;) But just wanted to share my thoughts in response to your question and what Alan’s comment made me think about.
Steve,
Yes, I agree. The ideal Bible is the one that is read and lived.
Don’t worry about sounding heretical… Lew and I already that you’re a heretic. :)
-Alan
LOL, Alan. Yep, that’s me. Mr. Divisive ;) hehe