by Ronald Lloyd Ryan, DA., PhD. Rev. 

I want to tell you about an exciting translation of most of the New Testament, a translation that is radical in numerous ways, the most important of which it is readable and avoids most of the “big words” and stuffy and pious language of every other translation of the scriptures that I have ever seen, with the possible exception of The Living Bible, which still rates highly in my estimation.This translation is, I believe, the first time that the role and value and contribution of women has been recognized as equal to that of men and where women are honoured as spiritual creatures the same as men, an aspect of our religiosity that had been substantially lost because of the domination of the church by men over these many centuries. (I acknowledge that many churches are still male dominated and that women still must serve a secondary and subservient role. But that is another issue).

This translation is, I believe, the first time that the role and value and contribution of women has been recognized as equal to that of men and where women are honoured as spiritual creatures the same as men, an aspect of our religiosity that had been substantially lost because of the domination of the church by men over these many centuries. (I acknowledge that many churches are still male dominated and that women still must serve a secondary and subservient role. But that is another issue).The authors of this translation, “Good as New,” try to use real, contemporary language in an effort to make the reality of God meaningful to ordinary people. For example, instead of using the name Bethsaida, which is meaningless to us, the authors use the term which it really

The authors of this translation, “Good as New,” try to use real, contemporary language in an effort to make the reality of God meaningful to ordinary people. For example, instead of using the name Bethsaida, which is meaningless to us, the authors use the term which it really mean, “Fishtown,” which, it must be acknowledged, may be upsetting to those of congregations who have used what they perceived to be a holy name to attach to their gathering places: Bethsaida Temple, Bethsaida Tabernacle, and so on. Similarly, the beloved “hioly” name, Bethany, is, quite simply, “Date Grove” or “Dateford.” Similarly with first names. The ponderous Barnabus is, simply, Bart; Caiaphas is “Guy;” Mary of Magdala is, simply, ”Maggie,” and so on.Maybe of even more importance, this edition of “scripture” avoids the

Maybe of even more importance, this edition of “scripture” avoids the ponderous, and largly meaningless, language that causes confusion. “Son of Man” becomes “The complete person”; “Son of God” becomes “God’s True Likeness;” “Lord” is “Leader;” “demon possession” becomes “mental illness;” “Belief” is translated as “trust;” “Sin” as “Faults; wrongdoings,” and so on, language, in other words, that make sense.Of notable addition, the Gospel of Thomas is recognized as a legitimate “gospel” and that it should not have been eliminated from the Canon in the first place; others of the “holy books” are recognized as either

Of notable addition, the Gospel of Thomas is recognized as a legitimate “gospel” and that it should not have been eliminated from the Canon in the first place; others of the “holy books” are recognized as either frauds, pure and simple, even if they are “pious frauds” and it is recognized that that crazy Book of Revelation has no place in the Bible and should never have been there in the first place. If we want crazy books, we can smoke our own tokes of marijuana and write crazy books under its influence. In other words, the Bible is not idolized; it is recognized for what it is: a flawed product of flawed people and, as such, it needs to be brought up to date if it is to speak to people of today.The fundamentalists won’t like it. That’s OK. This is a translation to support, maybe even engender a thoughtful faith; it is not an attempt to impose any kind of certainty.

The fundamentalists won’t like it. That’s OK. This is a translation to support, maybe even engender a thoughtful faith; it is not an attempt to impose any kind of certainty.Now, I can easily find fault with this translation. But, to what end? It is a genuine effort to make the gospel meaningful to contemporary people, trying to present “the Good News” as if Jesus

Now, I can easily find fault with this translation. But, to what end? It is a genuine effort to make the gospel meaningful to contemporary people, trying to present “the Good News” as if Jesus were here in front of us, speaking our everyday street language, and going to the pub, occasionally, dressed in tee-shirt, jeans and sneakers, and having a beer with the boys!”I am recommending this version of the scriptures because, maybe for the very first time, we have a version of the New Testament that is actually readable and which “makes sense.”

I am recommending this version of the scriptures because, maybe for the very first time, we have a version of the New Testament that is actually readable and which “makes sense.”Buy a copy!

Buy a copy!Read it!

Read it!You’ll be glad you did!

You’ll be glad you did!

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/good-as-new-a-radical/9781782790402-item.html?ikwid=Good+as+New&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=2