Review: The New Testament for Everyone

Bible Gateway has once again given me the opportunity to review a complimentary copy of another Zondervan product, N.T. Wright's Bible interpretation, The New Testament for Everyone. The edition I received is available to purchase from Faith Gateway and on Amazon, for $25-$30. 

Before I review the copy itself, let me start by saying, The New Testament for Everyone appears to be an updated, rebranded version of Wright's Kingdom New Testament. This edition states it is "a fresh translation." In the preface to the first and second editions (this is a third edition) it asks if Wright's work is a translation or paraphrase. The answer it gives is as follows:

It's a translation, not a paraphrase. I have tried to stick closely to the original. But, as with all translations, even within closely related modern European languages, there are always going to be places where you simply can't do it word by word. To do so would be 'correct' at one level and deeply incorrect at another. There is no 'safe' option: all translation is risky, but it's a risk we have to take.

I am not a language scholar, nor am I a Bible expert. I have not read this text cover to cover, so I leave it for you to decide what or how you feel about Wright's work. What I can tell you is, I would use The New Testament for Everyone (NTFE) for Bible reading and possibly, for perspective when studying. Some of Wright's language with regard to his past projects and biblical concepts does seem to hint at a departure from traditional terminology --terminology some feel is essential when discussing Scripture. However, I don't always consider that to be a bad thing. (If I told you some of the texts or teachings that brought me to Jesus, you might be shocked: point being, God can use anything, and if we are aware, prayerfully reading and studying, seeking discernment, we might learn something.) It can provide us with the perspective humanity is looking for and progressive Christian thought is taking that we might effectively teach biblical truths with special insight. By way of example, in his introduction to NTFE, Wright says of the Gospels, They also portray Jesus as constantly redefining what that (His) 'kingdom' would look like, through stories and acted symbols... The issue here is Wright's use of the word "redefine" which means, according to Merriam-Webster, to reformulate; to reexamine or reevaluate especially with a view to change. Some could assume Jesus was rethinking, remodeling, tweaking the specifics of His kingdom as He went along rather than merely unpacking the full plan a little at a time or from a different perspective, refining our understanding, perhaps. It's little things like that that can unknowingly plant big misconceptions.

So, that's that. On to my humble opinion of the book. My copy is hardcover, single column, printed in an easy-to-read font. It is almost 7x10 inches in size and weighs less than two pounds --great for carrying wherever you go. Wright has written each book introduction and included maps within the text. I find this useful for gaining perspective and organizing my thoughts particularly when reading about Paul's missionary journeys --visual information right there in the written account! Honestly, while casually reading, I'd probably not take the time to turn to the back of my Bible where maps are typically located; I'd wonder Just how far was that?, or Where is Thessalonica in relation to Athens?, but I'd forego the legwork. This makes it much more compelling to take the moment and strengthen my understanding. There is a glossary in the back, but don't look for one-word definitions. Wright explains the words found there, even giving historical background and linking what the term means with regard to New Testament teaching and Jesus' ministry. 

I'd be happy to wow you with lots of beautiful pictures, but that's not what this book is about. There are no fancy colors, no words of Jesus in red, no supplemental helps or cross-references. This is simple, written in simple and flowing language, a New Testament everyone can understand but not necessarily one that would benefit all.

Thanks-Living 2023

So here we are, Thanksgiving 2023. I could ask what you're thankful for. I could tell you what I'm thankful for. I could simply encourage you to spend the next few hours fixated not on fixin's but on what you've been given over the past three hundred sixty-five days. I could do something flashy and new and totally unrelated to this day consecrated for gratitude. Hasn't gratitude been done to death? 

I think, perhaps, gratitude has been un-done to death. In society's quest for more, in our nation's raising the bar for gender reveals and birthday parties and prom and proposals, in our "reality show" world where everyone's goal is fifteen minutes of fame and we do anything or outdo anyone in order to gain it, gratitude has indeed died. But from lack of use-- like muscles that begin to atrophy or a neglected houseplant. Saying thank you to anyone for anything is so last millennium.

I won't belabor the point, but I am encouraging you today to take a walk and smell the air. Look --I mean really look --into the faces of your loved ones. Knock on your neighbors' door just to wish them a happy start to a joyous season. Listen to the voices of those preparing your Thanksgiving Day feast, as they work and laugh in the kitchen. Taste your food as though it was your very first bite of pumpkin pie ever. Feel the tablecloth --linen and meticulously pressed just the way Mama taught you, or new and crinkly --paper with colorful turkeys and pilgrims. Leave the dishes until after the guests leave. Watch the game with your husband. Savor every moment. And revive gratitude. In your heart. At your table. In this world.

Photo THANKS goes to LuAnn Martin

Midweek: Waiting and Watching on Wednesday

The following devotional was printed in Guideposts' Mornings with Jesus (May/ June 2023):

But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. 

~ Micah 7:7 (NASB 1995)

All four Gospels record the presence of the women who stood watching during Jesus' crucifixion. These devoted followers had traveled with Him and ministered to His needs. Now they stood helpless to intervene, their hearts breaking from sorrow. A couple of women stayed on after almost everyone else had left the scene. Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James and Joseph, watched Jesus' body being taken down from the cross and wrapped in linen. They followed to the tomb where He was buried and saw the stone rolled across the opening.

Sometimes faith means watching and waiting. Even after all hope has been lost. Even when it seems as though our world has crumbled and there's nothing to wait for. A frightening medical diagnosis, a broken relationship, the sudden loss of a loved one, or financial ruin. During these times, we show our trust in Him by quietly waiting and watching to see what He will do.

The women's loyalty to Jesus brought great rewards on Sunday morning when they went to the tomb to anoint His body. They were the first to hear the news of the resurrection and to see the risen Savior. I wonder if I would have persevered in their situation. I admire their stubborn faith that would not let go. After all, that's the only appropriate response to a love that won't let me go.

~ Dianne Neal Matthews

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was my first birthday without my mother. For years, Mom and I didn't celebrate together because-- well, life, a tumultuous relationship, distance. When Mom came to live with us, she could mark time by the decorations or the colors of the trees, but all of those specific dates she'd remembered for so long were lost to her. (One of the most heart-breaking things I found as we prepared to close up her house, was sheet after sheet of notepaper with names, birthdates, number of children, personal details-- "son, lives in...," "daughter, married to..." --attempts at keeping track of the children and grandchildren she could no longer remember). The last several years, though we were together in body, she referred to me as "Miss" and had no idea this was a day we shared in importance. It could have just as easily been her birthday or Easter; but when the cake was served, she was ready to dig in!

As I began to pray, yesterday morning, the ache in my heart as I missed her was real, but so was the deep gratitude --for her and for my Father God who gave her to me, who is always with me in joy and in sorrow. I am so grateful for the opportunity we were given to bless her with a warm, safe place to live, healthy food, and clean clothes. When she moved to a nursing facility, I had such fun visiting her! My friend would come and indulge Mom with cupcakes. We would talk and laugh and listen to big band music. We'd engage with some of the other residents who were, quite honestly, a hoot! I loved those moments when she would come back to me --even if it was just a wide-eyed look at a delicious lemon cupcake or an eyeroll. Sometimes she'd get to tapping to the music and my friend would encourage, That's it, Miss Helen! and we'd break into laughter.

I am grateful that my relationship with Mom had changed so dramatically over the past year or so. Thank You that I loved her and still do, I wrote in my journal. The love my Savior gave me bridged a chasm in a way I never thought possible. And today marks the 58th year since You and Mom brought me into this world, I continued. Have You spent some time talking about it? sharing the plans You both had/ have for me? Did You talk about the Halloween costumes she spent days sewing each year and the hat she'd crocheted for my Barbie (it wound up floating a bowl of melted ice cream, and I was crushed)? Did You rejoice over her love for our pets and the arts & crafts we used to do together? Did You laugh over my love for her absolutely horrendous --almost sacrilegious -- take on veal parmesan? Did You cry together over the anger I had toward her for years, the mercy You both showed toward me, and the moment love won? What are the two of You doing to celebrate this special day for the three of us? I'm spending it thinking of both of you.

God is merciful, a Restorer of relationships, and I am grateful He will one day restore all things. Until that day, though, we have so many guarantees --glimpses of what He will do. Look for them in creation, in your relationships, in your health. Pray they will come to pass! God is faithful!

When Israel was a child, I loved him;
        and out of Egypt I called My son.
    But the more I called to Israel,
        the more they walked away from Me.
    They kept on sacrificing to other divine masters
        and burning incense to idols!
   But I was the one who taught Ephraim to walk, holding him up by his arms,
        but his people didn’t know I was the One who took care of them.
    I led them along with leather cords;
        with ropes of love I showed them the way.
    As I dealt with them, I lifted the yoke from their neck;
        I bent down to give them their food.  ~ Hosea 11:1-4