The New 21st Century Bible

Modern critical essays discuss each book of the Old and New Testament.

My goal in this translation has been to bring some fresh turns of phrase to the Gospels, histories, letters, and revelatory texts already familiar to English readers and listeners, not least because they are the source of sayings and stories embedded in our language by virtue of the long dominance of the King James Version of the Bible. Although the Hebrew and Greek materials used for that version had their flaws, the quality of the English can hardly be improved upon. Some later translations relying on better materials have improved the accuracy of the text, but rarely the rhythm and force of the style. My aim is therefore not to supplant other translations so much as to shed light on obscure passages; capture aspects of the man Jesus’ personality as presented distinctively in the Gospels; convey in relatively plain language Christian doctrine and experience as related in Acts and the Epistles; and reflect the atemporal nature of the Book of Revelation. I have generally aimed for fluid, contemporary language—avoiding the overly literal, freely adopting the colloquial, and taking grammatical license where the writer employed imagery not subject to standard linguistic limitations. My goal is a user-friendly translation at once enjoyable, novelistic, and at times poetic.

The third edition of the New Bible Dictionary will increase the reader's knowledge and understanding of God's Word as no other single book can do. This up-to-date edition is filled with the latest developments in biblical studies, ancient Near Eastern studies, and archaeological finds.

Different type styles denote Christ's words or familiar passages 6 X 8 7/8 % Font size: 9

A founding member of the Jesus Seminar presents a new edition of the New Testament that includes ten more recently discovered texts, selected by a council of scholars and spiritual leaders, along with the classic books.

Dr. Beasley-Murray has made a special study of the Revelation, the notorious difficulties of which have challenged and fascinated him for many years. An essential key to the understanding of its enigmatic character is the realization that it comes within the category of apocalyptic literature, in which acknowledged symbols were used to disguise the real meaning. According to the author, that which "to the uninitiated modern reader appears grotesque imagery spoke with power to John's fellow-Christians . . ." Due weight is also given to the Christology of the book, which the author sees as inseparable from its eschatology.

Drawing from existing scholarship, Dr. Martin explores the essence of the book of Philippians, giving special attention to two main themes in Paul's letter: the meaning of the great christological passage in chapter 2 and the nature of the sectarian teaching that Paul warns against in chapter 3.