Whenever I sit down to write my article for the Tower, I find myself distracted. Some call this phenomenon writer’s block while others refer to it as ADD. Many of you know that I do not think of myself as a writer. Austin would tell you that I hate writing. My professors would tell you that I was never skilled in writing. I would tell you that my writing has always been informal. But, as God often does, God has called me to do something I am uncomfortable with. Now, I am thankful for the gift of writers (especially Carol Roland who shares her gifts with us), but writing has always been hard for me. Maybe my writing has too much voice and creative expression. If you read what I write you can probably picture me rolling my eyes or those ridiculous facial  expressions I make in any conversation. I say all of this to suggest that some of the  biblical writers had similar feelings. Was there a biblical writer or translator that never wanted to be one? Was there an ornery writer that argued with God when putting the ink to the page? Was there another that dreamed to write and share the stories they had heard from grandparents and religious instructors? The formation of the Bible is a   complex topic; however, I want us to think about how in God’s grace God invited    humans to help preserve the stories of God. God gifted them talents and abilities and as they wrote what they knew to be true about God’s work in the world the Holy Spirit was present with them.

Much like the writing of the Word of God the translations we use mean something. We all have our preferences and the translation we gravitate to. Unfortunately, not all translations are equal. Some are good, and some aren’t so good. I mean that some stay close to the original languages of Hebrew and Greek while others take a little more creative liberty. And that is okay. We have faith that God can speak to us in these different translations. I use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). I choose to preach from this translation because it is as close to the original language as possible. The translators considered the importance of scholarship and dual meaning of words. This is why we use the NRSV during our Sunday morning worship times. In my free time, I gravitate to The Voice translation. In conclusion, use whatever translation you like. God will speak to you! I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about translations or the NRSV.

So next time you read your Bible take some time to read read it. Read between the lines. Read it backwards and forwards. Read it until your eyelids droop. Read it until you can’t anymore. Because it is that reading, the Holy Spirit meets with you.

“ All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  so that everyone who belongs to God may be        proficient, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

– Pastor Joy