An Uncommon Approach with the Common English Bible

In  a move that reflects the sign of the times (and the digitizing of all things in print)  my friends at Abingdon have now sent me the following press release. See what you think.

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Diane Morrow

dmorrow@tbbmedia.com or 800.927.1517

Complete Common English Bible Released Digitally Before Print

NASHVILLE, TN (June 15, 2011) – In a nod to the revolutionary changes occurring in publishing, the new complete Common English Bible (@CommonEngBible – http://twitter.com/CommonEngBible) is now debuting in 20 digital platforms, almost two months before print editions will be available in stores. It’s currently online at http://CommonEnglishBible.com along with a search widget users can download to their blogs and websites (http://CommonEnglishBible.com/LookupWidget).

The eBook reader editions of the Common English Bible are Kindle, iPad, iPhone, Nook, Sony, ChristianBook, Kobo, OverDrive, Blio, Copia, Lightning Source, and YouVersion. The introductory suggested retail price of eBook versions is $5.95 and will increase to the regular suggested retail price of $9.95 September 1. Also available as part of Bible reference suites for Windows and Apple operating systems are Olivetree, Logos, BibleWorks, and Accordance Software. The new translation will also be searchable through Bible Gateway (http://BibleGateway.com) and Bible Study Tools (http://BibleStudyTools.com).

This is the first time the Common English Bible is available in its complete form including the Old Testament, and available with the Apocrypha. The New Testament was released August 2010.

“The Common English Bible is a brand-new, bold translation designed to meet the needs of people in all stages of their spiritual journey and study,” says Paul Franklyn, associate publisher for the Common English Bible. “We’re excited to make this translation available as soon as possible through the Internet and other digital resources.”

The Common English Bible is unlike any other translation. It’s uncommon in that it’s the newest translation by the largest number of biblical scholars & church leaders in words 21st century readers use every day, aligning academic rigor with modern understandability, proven through extensive field-testing with, and acting on feedback from, hundreds of readers. The new Common English Bible is the only translation to combine and balance highly respected ecumenical biblical scholarship necessary for serious study with responsiveness to 21st century clear communication requirements for comprehensive clarity. It was approved in May by Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA, for official use in biblical studies courses.

“The Common English Bible is the result of collaboration between opposites: men working with women; scholars working with average readers; conservatives working with liberals, many denominations and many ethnicities coming together around the common goal of creating a translation that unites rather than divides, with the ultimate goal of mutually accomplishing God’s overall work in the world,” says Franklyn.

Combining scholarly accuracy with vivid language, the Common English Bible is the work of 120 biblical scholars from faith traditions in American, African, Asian, European, and Latino communities representing such academic institutions as Asbury Theological Seminary, Azusa Pacific University, Bethel Seminary, Denver Seminary, Princeton Theological Seminary, Seattle Pacific University, Wheaton College, Yale University, and many others. They translated the Bible into English directly from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts.

Additionally, more than 500 readers in 77 groups field-tested the translation. Every verse was read aloud in the reading groups, where potentially confusing passages were identified. The translators considered the groups’ responses and, where necessary, reworked those passages to clarify in English their meaning from the original languages. In total, more than 600 people worked jointly to bring the Common English Bible to fruition.

The digital revolution is accelerating changes in language and its everyday usage. The new Common English Bible is written in contemporary idiom at the same reading level as the newspaper USA TODAY—using language that’s comfortable and accessible for today’s English readers. This new translation strives to make Bible reading more clear and compelling for individuals, groups, and corporate worship services.

The Common English Bible is an inclusive translation, using male and female pronouns where appropriate to indicate the meaning of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek text when referring to general human beings. Pronouns for God, Lord, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit are translated as he, his, or him.

Another unique feature of the Common English Bible is the inclusion of exclusive, detailed color maps from National Geographic, well known for its vibrant and accurate map making. The Common English Bible is also the only translation to extensively use contractions where the text warrants an engaging conversational style (not used in divine or poetic discourse).

Visit CommonEnglishBible.com to see comparison translations, learn about the translators, get free downloads, and more.

The Common English Bible is a denomination-neutral Bible sponsored by the Common English Bible Committee, an alliance of five publishers that serve the general market, as well as the Disciples of Christ (Chalice Press), Presbyterian Church (Westminster John Knox Press), Episcopal Church (Church Publishing Inc.), United Church of Christ (Pilgrim Press), and United Methodist Church (Abingdon Press).