If you're feeling frustrated and helpless in your efforts to promote cultural and linguistic accuracy in the church, despite taking actions like advocating for diverse representation and using inclusive language, then you are not alone!
Words matter, especially in translations of the Bible. Join us as we dive into the world of New Testament translations with Scott McKnight and uncover the importance of accurate translations and the impact they can have. But when it comes to women in ministry and the use of certain words, will the translation choices make or break their place in the church? Find out in this thought-provoking discussion.
In this episode, you will be able to:
• Recognize the value of cultural understanding and meticulous translation in the proper interpretation of the Bible.
• Delve into the intricate dynamics of power within the church and their varied consequences.
• Learn how to address spiritual abuse effectively and foster a support system for survivors.
• Embrace the core principles of good leadership and the altruistic use of power in ministry.
• Highlight the vital insights shared by women scholars and survivors for a more inclusive faith community.
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My special guest is Dr. Scot McKnight
Meet Dr. Scot McKnight, a renowned New Testament professor at Northern Seminary in Illinois and a prolific author with a passion for diving deep into the cultural context of biblical texts. As a guest on Lori Adams-Brown's podcast, Scot brings his expertise in Bible translation and interpretation, having written over 90 books, including widely-read titles like "A Church Called Tov" and "The Blue Parakeet." A dedicated advocate for abuse survivors and a favorite professor among his students, Dr. McKnight's insights are sure to enrich your understanding of the Bible.
"I believe in the power of a more literal translation."- Dr. Scot McKnight
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
• Check out Dr. Scott McKnight's new translation of the New Testament, The Second Testament. (https://www.ivpress.com/the-second-testament)
• Subscribe to Dr. McKnight's newsletter (https://substack.com/@scotmcknight1)
• Consider taking Greek classes with Dr. McKnight.
• Purchase Dr. McKnight's books, including A Church Called Tov (https://www.churchcalledtov.org/) , The King Jesus Gospel, and The Blue Parakeet.
• Follow Dr. McKnight's blog, The Jesus Creed. (https://www.christianitytoday.com/scot-mcknight/)
• Follow him on Twitter: @scotmcknight (https://twitter.com/scotmcknight)
• Read Dr. McKnight's contributions as general editor of the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters.
• Explore the Everyday Bible series, including the First Testament by John Golden Gay and The Kingdom New Testament by Tom Wright.
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The Way of Jesus
Good leadership in the church involves recognizing, using, and sharing power in ways that are faithful to the teachings of Jesus. Followers of Jesus should strive to cultivate humility, compassion, and an attitude of serving others, often forgoing one's power to benefit those who are more vulnerable. Dr. Scot McKnight, during the podcast interview, mentioned several examples of power abuse in the church, contrasting them with the biblical teachings of Jesus. He specifically cited Romans 16 and Philippians 2:1-11, which emphasize the concept of Kenosis – the act of laying down one's power to serve others. McKnight believes that understanding this concept and applying it in the context of leadership and church relationships is essential to embodying the way of Jesus and countering the negative aspects of power dynamics in churches.
"Words deeply matter, and those words can wound and they can hurt for a long time." - Dr. Scot McKnight
Women in Ministry
An accurate translation plays a crucial role in recognizing and valuing the contributions of women in the early church. Being mindful of the words used to describe women's roles is crucial as language can shape our understanding and reinforce stereotypes or power dynamics within the church. By translating words and phrases accurately, women's contributions to the early church can be acknowledged and celebrated more fairly. During the conversation, Dr. McKnight emphasized the importance of using accurate translation to highlight women's roles in the church, such as translating the word Phoebe to mean "deacon" rather than "servant." He also mentioned the prevalence of false narratives and power dynamics in church culture that can negatively affect how people perceive women's roles in ministry. By ensuring accurate translations, he believes we can better acknowledge, value, and empower women working in the church.
Keeping Names Authentic
One of the essential aspects of ensuring cultural authenticity in a Bible translation is the use of names as close as possible to what they would have sounded in the original language. This offers a sense of no...
