Logocentric (adj).Regarding words and language as a fundamental expression of an external reality (especially applied as a negative term to traditional Western thought by postmodernist critics).
Sometimes I just write whatever I feel like. Other times I respond to prompts, many taken from the following places:
I have always enjoyed the longer distance running and skiing. The Marathon in Summer Olympics and the 50km Mass Start in the Winter. My wife can't understand how I can watch the same race for several hours. But they are fascinating to me. I like the Downhill Slalom, Bobsled and Luge sports. Attending a Winter Olympics remains on my bucket list.
My favorite sporting events in the Winter Olympics are the Luge, Bobsled, Figure Skating and curling. Initially, I thought I would be bored with curling but I'm not. It's fascinating how they determine each glide's angle and potential score.
When my children were younger we built them a luge course, they loved it. We were lucky that winter to have lots of snow to build up the walls and with some help with pallets that we covered with snow, it kept them and the neighborhood kids busy until it warmed up and melted. I was a lot more at ease with the luge course than I was when they decided to try arial jumps off our house roof. Never a dull moment when you live in Maine.
I am reading ESV through the Bible this time. Like you, I've explored a bunch of translations. My church uses NIV but my women's Bible study group (part of the same church) varies based on what Bible study we're doing.
Hope you enjoy the Olympics! I agree that the every four year thing makes them feel more special.
I read the New American Bible, which is a Catholic Bible. (NABRE) They include Tobit, Judith, 1 & 2 Maccabees, which generally aren't included in other versions of the Bible. I would be curious to read an orthodox bible or the Ethiopian Bible as I hear they have differences as well.
As for the Olympics, I love the Winter Olympics. I'm just crossing my fingers I have time to watch!
In terms of the original texts the NASB has the best reputation among conservative scholars. It looks at more translations, has a sensible hierarchy of text selection and the best principles for approaching the translation task. It favors original texts when possible. The ESV and NKJV are on a similar level. The Net Bible gives the best overview of the discussions in its commentary. The NIV renders the original text to make it more readable. It is a more functional text which is why many churches use it but it is also less precise. Greek or Russian orthodox are more Septuagint orientated and there is a considerable amount of ethical or emotional rendering to the text.The disadvantage of the NASB is that it loses much of the Hebrew poetical style in its effort to be precise as this does not translate into the English
I'm very fortunate to have met some practicing and humble Christians. Truly humble people seek to serve, not attain power and influence. The actions of many Christians make me run the opposite way... as fast as I can.
In his book, Sit, Walk, Stand, Watchman Nee states: "Nothing has done greater damage to our Christian testimony than our trying to be right and demanding right of others. We become preoccupied with what is and what is not right. We ask ourselves,' Have we been justly or unjustly treated?' and we think thus to vindicate our actions. But that is not our standard. The whole question for us is one of crossbearing".
Jeff, this is an excellent book. Perhaps one for your reading list?
Song: "It Takes Two" Artist: Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock Album: It Takes Two
Harlem hip-hop duo Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock landed a record label (Profile Records) with their first single, "DJ Interview." And it was their first profile release, "It Takes Two," that catapulted them into the mainstream. Using multiple samples from the James Brown/Lyn Collins song "Think (About It)," the track became very popular and the label quickly put together a plan to release an entire album from the duo. Although they had modest successes with some of their follow-ups, they never had another hit that even came close to rivaling this song's Top 40 status on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as its platinum certification. All Music Guide's critic Stephen Thomas has even been quoted as saying, "Many critics and listeners claim that Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's 'It Takes Two' is the greatest hip hop single ever cut. It's hard to disagree with them."
Unfortunately, a lot of uncertainty and rumors followed the duo around for years. There were allegations that Rob Base had personal problems and legal issues stemming from their use of Frankie Beverly's "Maze" in their follow-up single "Joy and Pain." DJ E-Z Rock eventually went his separate ways to deal with his own personal issues, which effectively made Rob Base a solo artist. His 1989 solo album didn't fare nearly as well as this track, nor did the 1994 reunion album after the two had joined forces again. E-Z Rock died of a diabetes-related seizure in 2014 and, according to Wikipedia, sixteen months after Rock's death, "Rob Base returned to the stage and rocked a private party in Armonk, NY." I think we have a fan updating their Wikipedia page!
I think I was a little too young to appreciate the initial popularity of this song in 1988, but it's a testament to the song's longevity that I can remember several points in my life where the song enjoyed a resurgence and was played at parties, weddings, and other celebrations. I recall hearing it as far back as junior high and high school dances, and as recently as at a wedding I went to last year (and no, I wasn't the one that requested it! ). It's hard enough to have a hit song, let alone an evergreen hit that keeps coming around decade after decade.
). It's hard enough to have a hit song, let alone an evergreen hit that keeps coming around decade after decade.
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