Original Bible Project

[Ken Nagele]

Greetings,

Our friends at the ORIGINAL BIBLE PROJECT have made some important changes. They now have a new website www.originalbible.com/ and have some new announcements regarding the future of the project. Their office has also moved. Be sure to check out their new site and sign up for their e-mail list.

Ken Nagele

[tddevans]

Hello,

What do you think of Tabors new book ?
The dynasty of Jesus.

Do you think he should be translating the OBP for Doc Martin ?

Todd

[Ken Nagele]

Hello Todd,

Good question. I have not read Tabor's new book, but it certainly would not seem to sit well with the Christian community.

As for the translation progress of the OBP, I think it is still in a mysterious state of limbo, as it has been for many years now. On the surface, it certainly doesn't look good.

However, my personal opinion is that this new translation will still come out and have a major impact on biblical understandings. What could be more credible than a Bible written by someone who denies the divinity of Jesus? There certainly won't be any latent, theological, Christian overtones to it. I think it will actually gain credibility because of Tabor's non-Christian beliefs.

I still strongly believe God inspired Dr. Martin to initiate this project and that it will be completed when the time is right. God is still in charge of all things and will make it happen when He desires.

Thanks for your question.

Ken Nagele

[Jon]

I recently sent an email to Dr. Tabor asking about the progress on the Transparent English Bible. I mentioned that since it has been revealed that he does not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, there was doubt as to whether or not he would continue the translation. Here is what he had to say:

Dear Jon,

I appreciate your question and I wanted to express a few things in this regard that you are welcome to share with those on the ASK Forum or others interested in the OBP.

First, I am totally committed to seeing the Original Bible Project to completion and our goal remains the same--to produce the most historically accurate translation of the Bible in existence. Although my friend and colleague, the late and beloved Dr. Ernest Martin urged me to take on this Project over a decade ago, from the beginning he insisted that he not be directly involved and that the work on the translation be of the highest academic integrity, without any kind of denominational or organizational connections.

In that sense your question about my "beliefs" and how/whether they have changed represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the independent and academic nature of the Project. Let me explain.

First, in the decade I have worked on the translation I have never discussed my personal beliefs nor those of the other scholars who are involved in the project. It is strictly an academic project and has nothing to do with "beliefs," Christian or otherwise. What we want is accuracy and that is and remains the objective of the Transparent English Bible. The only relevant issue is whether one is qualified in the areas in which he or she might be involved. That is the very idea of a translation of this type, that it would not have any theological bias, whether Christian, Jewish, secular, or otherwise.

Secondly, my new book, The Jesus Dynasty represents the results of my own study of the historical Jesus after a long academic career spanning over 30 years at three different universities. In that sense it has nothing to do with the OBP. It represents my professional work as an historian and an archaeologist.

I do believe that the OBP has a destined purpose and that it will come out at the right time and in the right way. Dr. Martin always believed this as well. As you know, he was a great believer in the ultimate Providence of the Creator.

One benefit of the publication of my book, The Jesus Dynasty is that it was published by the major trade publisher in the business--Simon & Schuster, and given the high public profile it has received, including five weeks on the NYTimes best-seller list, it could only help in terms of us securing the best publisher for the Transparent English Bible at the right time. My book has also now sold in over 20 languages worldwide. The same publishing agent that was able to work out such a good deal for my own book is also interested in representing the Transparent English Bible and he has met with our Board to discuss this possibility. This is good news indeed, and it means the difference between really getting this Bible out to all the major outlets in the world vs. having to go around begging this or that small publisher or resorting to self-publishing and having little impact.

I can assure all supporters and those interested in the TEB--you will not be disappointed. The final product, to which I have now given a good portion of my scholarly career, will be an amazing contribution that will provide readers of all background and persuasions an accurate understanding of the original meaning of the Biblical texts.

It is fine with me if you wish to quote or otherwise pass on this message.

Warmest best wishes,

James D. Tabor

[Ken Nagele]

Jon,

Thanks for your interest in this subject and for passing this letter on to us. There is certainly light at the end of the tunnel.

Take care.

Ken Nagele

[Jon]

Indeed. I've been waiting for this translation for several years now, and I just can't imagine it being ditched this late in the game. I'm glad that was just a rumor.