Some paraphrases can be amusing at times - such as the Cotton Patch Gospel (imagine Jesus coming to the South in Georgia . . . ). These are clips from the musical made from the books:
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The most popular paraphrase by far is the Message Paraphrase by Eugene Peterson. Here is the latest edition:
Paraphrases certainly have an interesting place amongst the translation continuum (far side) and provide good devotional and commentary insight. That would be the plus side. I would like to reiterate that they should not be used for specific Bible Study, word studies, exegetical insights, etc. But they can be fun . . .
What do you think?
My bodacious Pastor Stephen;
ReplyDeleteWas not the bible written by men that interperated what they saw or heard. Paraphrasing is just taking those verses and putting your own twist to what you think the original writers meant! Although some twist are born out of hours of study and education on those verses. Huh?
Hi Wayne!
ReplyDeleteHere are my thoughts on what you stated:
Was not the bible written by men that interperated what they saw or heard. [Agreed, and would add (for clarification) - interpreted by the Holy Spirit. As the men recorded what they experienced, witnessed, revealed, shared - all came under the influence and guidance of the Holy Spirit]
Paraphrasing is just taking those verses and putting your own twist to what you think the original writers meant! [You make an important distinction - 'own twist' ie. commentary. That is why it is important to distinguish a paraphrase is not a translation]
Although some twist are born out of hours of study and education on those verses. Huh?
[Yep! While translations are done through groups of scholars working together, paraphrases are done by a specific individual. No matter who we are, we all have specific presuppositions and biases in whatever text we come to read and examine - whether the Bible or a great classic work (http://www.grtbooks.com/) such as Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov" or "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. Translation teams attempt to work through those communication barriers to bring out the best in a translation. Paraphrases are more apt to contain that specific authors viewpoints no matter how learned they are. Eugene Peterson is a great example - great scholar, great work in the Message. It is a paraphrase and not a translation.
Great insight on your part! Thanks for the post!]