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High Noon: Professor Bibb looks at modern English translations of the Bible


Last updated October 20, 2015

By Furman News

Fall 2015 High Noon Schedule

The Bible is the most translated book in the world, and that includes dozens of English translations over the centuries.  So what does it mean when so many versions of the Bible are marketed as “faithful to the original” or “word for word” or “unbiased?”

Furman University religion professor Bryan Bibb will discuss the modern controversies related to English translations of the Bible when he speaks at the university’s High Noon fall lecture series Wednesday, Oct. 28 at noon at the Upcountry History Museum-Furman.

His lecture, “Translating Controversy: Theology and Politics of the Bible in English,” is free and open to the public.

Dr. Bibb says that scholars in the humanities agree that “all translation is interpretation,” and that is certainly true for modern English translations of the Bible.  In fact, all translations reflect the ideological perspectives of their translators, and serve the theological, social and political expectations of their intended readers. His presentation will look at the issues behind these modern translation controversies, and he will attempt to answer that common question: “What is the best Bible?”

Bibb’s talk is the fifth of seven consecutive Wednesday lectures presented by Furman professors during the fall. All are free and begin at noon on Wednesdays.

The Upcountry History Museum/Furman is located at 540 Buncombe Street in downtown Greenville’s Heritage Green area.

For more information, contact Furman’s Marketing and Public Relations office at 864-294-3107 or vince.moore@furman.edu.

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