Interpretation journal

I've taken up the offer from Interpretation journal to read it online for free for 7 days, and am enjoying ploughing through the more than 50 years of issues. It's a good thing I'm on holidays!

The very first issue has a great article by H H Rowley on The Relevance of Biblical Interpretation, and in another 1947 issue there is an intriguing article by R B Woodworth on Jesus' words to Mary at the wedding at Cana.

Most of us know that the way Jesus addresses Mary is not rude, though it sounds that way when woodenly translated into English.
But what about the puzzling words that he says to her?

It is translated various ways and here are a few:
King James Version: Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee?
English Standard Version: And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with
me? ..."
New American Bible: (And) Jesus said to her, "Woman, how does your
concern affect me?..."
NET Bible: Jesus replied, "Woman, why are you saying this to me?..."
New International Version: "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied.
New Jerusalem Bible: Jesus said, 'Woman, what do you want from me?..."
Contemporary English Version and Good News Bible: "You must not tell
me what to do..."

But R B Woodworth, in the very first Reader's Forum, has some interesting things to say. While commentators say that Jesus' words do not imply a rebuke, many of the translations above come out like one.

But the expression is common in the Septuagint [the first Greek translation of the Old Testament] and is found in Judges
11:12; 1 Kings 17:18; 2 Kings 3:13 and 2 Chron 35:21 and something
like it occurs 6 times in the New Testament in Matt 8:29; 27:4; Mark 1:24; Luke 8:28 and John 21:22.

Woodworth says that in every case the expression is used of the
relation of the speakers not to each other, but to some third person or thing. He says it should be translated "It's not our concern." In John 2:4 he thinks it should be understood as "What have you and I to do with the wine?"

A few translations seem to agree with Woodworth, but it is
interesting that these include the allegedly literal New American Standard Bible, and others which are reputed to be looser versions that are concerned with bringing out the meaning:
NASB Woman, what does that have to do with us?
New Living Translation: How does that concern you and me?
International Standard Version: How does that concern us, Woman?
The Message: Jesus said, "Is that any of our business, Mother--yours or mine? ..."

Comparing Religions

It is always interesting to compare religions, even if you are already convinced about one of them. I have been reading A Spectator's Guide To World Religions, by John Dickson. It is written in an engaging style that makes you want to keep reading. He seems to have done his homework, and I found I knew more about each of the 5 major religions, after reading the book.

His If I Were God, I'd End All The Pain is a great book to read and give away on the problems of evil and suffering. It is short, easy to read and not unbearably dogmatic. Dickson confesses that he also struggles, but he clearly shows how faith in Christ is the best way to deal with these issues. He looks briefly at Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic and Atheist explanations for suffering, and does this in a fair, dispassionate way. A later book, If I Were God, I'd Make Myself Clearer, is another short, thought-provoking look at several influential world religions, including Mormonism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Sikhism, through the eyes of a convinced Christian. In this book, Dickson attempts to give some ways in which the claims which Judaism, Mormonism and Christianity make may be tested.

You can purchase these last 2 books from Matthias Media

Holiness by John Charles Ryle

A group of Christians in Australia, the UK and the US [and maybe other places] have begun reading through Bishop J C Ryle's Holiness. You can download the chapters from Mount Zion Bible Institute and join us, if you are interested.

We are discussing the book at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/charisList/