Have you ever read in the Bible and wondered who was talking or who someone was addressing in their conversation? Most of the time it may seem pretty easy to decipher who is talking, but there are occasions where it isn’t as clear as it could be. A new New Testament Bible recently came out that addresses whose voice is being mentioned in particular texts. The title for this Bible is a natural fit, “the Voice”.
“the Voice” is laid out like a script in a play, displaying who says what and when. This is one of the main reasons for creating this version of the Bible, to make it easy on the reader to understand what voice you are hearing. It doesn’t include anyone for a “narrator” but only mentions names for those who are speaking.
Like good Bible translations, this Bible has several people who went in on its collaboration of the interpretation. The translation itself is very easy to read with modern-day voice. Subtle italicized interjections are put in to most of the verses, similar to the way the Amplified Bible does, just without the brackets.
Another positive is the thought provoking and/or helpful comments that are interspersed throughout the Bible.
One con, it uses some form of “Liberator” to depict Jesus, particularly in the epistles. Though I don’t have any theological objection, but from a new reader’s standpoint, it may be a bit confusing.
I found this Bible interesting, as I looked at certain verses in the Bible. I liked its fresh wording, but would not use it as a substitute for a stricter translation, in my study. I would use it as a study aid in trying to better understand the scriptures or use it to help others understand certain passages better.
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Book Review: "Obstacles Welcome" by Ralph de la Vega
We all have and will experience obstacles in our life. Any journey seems to inevitably have obstacles inserted somewhere between the start and the finish. Maybe it is a twist or turn. Maybe it is a landslide. What the obstacle is for you is not important, just understanding that they will be included in your unwritten itenerary.
Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, presents us with this book titled, "Obstacles Welcome". It includes some of his biographical background, coming from Cuba in the 1960s to the United States, alone. He came alone, not by choice. His parents had to make the choice of whether one family member could go or none. They chose Ralph. He made his way to the southern part of Florida, to be there three years without his father or mother or siblings.
He includes this to say that he had obstacles in his life toward the goal of "success" from the very beginning. He didn't know English. Obstacle overcome. He learned English. He went on to college. He worked. He did things that some people would give up on.
One of my favorite chapters was titled "Obstacles in Disguise". What I enjoyed was the reminder that things which show up in life may present themselves as an obstacle, but, in essence, they are disguised as opportunities - to learn, to launch, etc. It seems that I have had different obstacles in my life that were disguised as opportunities.
One criticism is that Ralph puts too many "lists" of improvement in the book. In the latter two-thirds of the book, there are ___(blank) number of ways to do certain things. The difficulty with this is that it is hard to remember all of them, for there are so many. Coming from a ministry standpoint, when I give a sermon, to have so many acronyms or scripture references in the message, people will forget them by the end.
There are definitely good things in the book, and I could see it being of benefit to business-minded people, as that is who it is targeted. It was interesting to see where AT&T and Cingular have been prior to where they are now.
So, as you go through life, remember "Obstacles Welcome"!
Ralph de la Vega, President and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, presents us with this book titled, "Obstacles Welcome". It includes some of his biographical background, coming from Cuba in the 1960s to the United States, alone. He came alone, not by choice. His parents had to make the choice of whether one family member could go or none. They chose Ralph. He made his way to the southern part of Florida, to be there three years without his father or mother or siblings.
He includes this to say that he had obstacles in his life toward the goal of "success" from the very beginning. He didn't know English. Obstacle overcome. He learned English. He went on to college. He worked. He did things that some people would give up on.
One of my favorite chapters was titled "Obstacles in Disguise". What I enjoyed was the reminder that things which show up in life may present themselves as an obstacle, but, in essence, they are disguised as opportunities - to learn, to launch, etc. It seems that I have had different obstacles in my life that were disguised as opportunities.
One criticism is that Ralph puts too many "lists" of improvement in the book. In the latter two-thirds of the book, there are ___(blank) number of ways to do certain things. The difficulty with this is that it is hard to remember all of them, for there are so many. Coming from a ministry standpoint, when I give a sermon, to have so many acronyms or scripture references in the message, people will forget them by the end.
There are definitely good things in the book, and I could see it being of benefit to business-minded people, as that is who it is targeted. It was interesting to see where AT&T and Cingular have been prior to where they are now.
So, as you go through life, remember "Obstacles Welcome"!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
"Fearless" by Max Lucado - Book Review
What do you fear? I am sure it is something...the dark, the unknown, your job security, being buried alive, urban legends, family's well-being, heights, certain bugs/animals, or something totally different.
Fear is practically instilled into us. And we learn other fears along the way. Media has a way of making our fears seem bigger than they should be. Max has come up with a great, current book that challenges us not to be fearful, but Fearless.
Throughout the book, each chapter is filled with a certain area that is something that someone fears. If you are like me, you will find more than one chapter that you find a fear of yours couched in.
Max does a great job of making the idea of fear, and overcoming it, come alive by pointing practical aspects of scriptures. This makes the scriptures be real for people, which helps to apply them.
I was really enjoying the book until I arrived at the chapter about fearing "global calamity". He used Matthew 24 as much of his text for the basis of his teaching. From my study, which many will have differing opinions, I do not see Jesus teaching the "end of times" from this chapter, but rather a "destruction of Jerusalem" warning. I don't point to say that I'm right and he's wrong, but based on my study, I didn't see it as a parallel. However the fact that we do not need to worry about the end is true.
He concludes by reminding us that when we have a faith in Christ and God, we can be Fearless.
There is an "additional chapter" which I would challenge all readers to not skip, as it is inspiring also.
Enjoy Fearless, it was some good food for my soul!
Fear is practically instilled into us. And we learn other fears along the way. Media has a way of making our fears seem bigger than they should be. Max has come up with a great, current book that challenges us not to be fearful, but Fearless.
Throughout the book, each chapter is filled with a certain area that is something that someone fears. If you are like me, you will find more than one chapter that you find a fear of yours couched in.
Max does a great job of making the idea of fear, and overcoming it, come alive by pointing practical aspects of scriptures. This makes the scriptures be real for people, which helps to apply them.
I was really enjoying the book until I arrived at the chapter about fearing "global calamity". He used Matthew 24 as much of his text for the basis of his teaching. From my study, which many will have differing opinions, I do not see Jesus teaching the "end of times" from this chapter, but rather a "destruction of Jerusalem" warning. I don't point to say that I'm right and he's wrong, but based on my study, I didn't see it as a parallel. However the fact that we do not need to worry about the end is true.
He concludes by reminding us that when we have a faith in Christ and God, we can be Fearless.
There is an "additional chapter" which I would challenge all readers to not skip, as it is inspiring also.
Enjoy Fearless, it was some good food for my soul!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Book Review of "The Expanded Bible: New Testament"
“Study the Bible while you read” is the theme statement of a newly released Bible called The Expanded Bible. As a minister, I possess many bibles of various versions. Everyone has their preferences. Some Bibles are good for their modern language while others are good for their “close to the original text” format.
I was excited upon seeing the opportunity to review this newly released book. And upon receiving the book and examining different passages, I was quite pleased.
The positives that I took away from the review: 1) It takes away the need to go to several different translations to see what words or phrases mean or alternate words, 2) It makes it easy to see scripture references to verses or quotes from the Old Testament, 3) It gives you symbols that indicate what study aid is being used (C = comment, L = literal, and T = traditional rendering, and ‘or’ = an alternate wording), 4) Space on the sides for personal study notes, 5) The single column style makes it easy for reading, and 6) the font is clear and easy to read
The negatives that I took away from the review: 1) The symbols mentioned above are at the beginning of the book, so until you learn them you must flip back and forth, 2) with all the study notes, it may be hard to read aloud, if used in that type of a setting, but if you used it for study sake, that would negate this negative, and 3) it only gives helps to, what I presume, the most common words or phrases that give confusion.
It only comes in a New Testament edition at this point. I am sure that an Old Testament edition will be coming out in the future.
For people who would like to have a study Bible that focuses on alternate words and phrases, with some commentary, then this is a good Bible to consider. It is a Bible that I see best to be used for studying and not taken to class.
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