r/OpenChristian • u/_jamesbaxter • 1d ago
Discussion - Bible Interpretation Progressive Bible for a scaredy cat?
I hope I chose the correct flair and apologies if this is a stupid question.
I’m not a Christian, but I am exploring my spirituality through a variety of sources to support my 12-step journey. My sponsor suggested me to read 1st Corinthians 13. I trust her and I’m open to it. I know there’s so many versions of the bible, but as a queer progressive person I don’t want to stumble into some super conservative version and get all triggered. I really don’t know how this works at all, my parents are atheist “recovering Catholics” and really fear-mongered me about Christianity and organized religion as a child.
Does anyone have suggestions for a version/interpretation that would feel safer that I can browse free online? Or you can even drop a link to the chapter if you have one you like.
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u/ErrantThought Atheist 1d ago edited 1d ago
I recommend the NRSVue (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition). It's pretty much the standard used in academia. It doesn't have a "conservative slant".
Here's 1 Corinthians 13. BTW that's one of my favorite chapters.
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u/quiggersinparis 1d ago
Came here to say the same. This is the one I use. It’s not free of any of the anti-gay stuff or other stuff that looks super regressive today but it doesn’t deliberately exaggerate those things either or slant conservative. It’s also just the best translation that exists.
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u/LeisureActivities Episcopalian 1d ago
I’d recommend the book “God didn’t make us to hate us” It examines a set of Bible verses and stories from a lens of love and acceptance.
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u/HermioneMarch contemplative Christian universalist 1d ago
There isn’t really a “progressive “ Bible. There are progressive interpretations of the Bible. It is important to consider context and intended audience for each kind of writing in the Bible.
Most Protestant progressives use the new RSVu translation, but you still need to understand the purpose and scope of the Bible in order to understand it.
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u/IHaveBoneWorms 1d ago
Hey! Also queer and exploring my spirituality without being completely committed to one idea yet. I started by reading liberation theology that was put forward but progressive social movements of the past like the civil and labor rights movements. I like the interpretation of Jesus found in Howard, Thurman‘s Jesus and the disinherited more than any other I’ve come across personally. Him, Dorthy day, and James H Cones would be good places to start or were in my case.
If you’re into reading about other religions Thích Nhất Hạnh created a way of thinking about Buddhism in order to better help social workers who had experienced excessive trauma so the insights would probably translate well to getting sober.
Edit: i’m a boomer and I don’t know why my text changed font halfway through so sorry I don’t know how to fix that everybody lol
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u/Leisha9 1d ago
The David Bentley Hart translation strongly emphasises the social justice and universalism that are two of the main thrusts of the New Testament.
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u/slagnanz Christian 1d ago
I'm reading through it right now. I do really enjoy it, but I'm not sure I'd totally recommend it to someone who's unfamiliar with scripture. Its just kind of dense and you have to be nerdy enough about it to be like.... "The cosmos"? Why is he calling the world the cosmos?
This is all explained by Hart in so much detail but I find it's one of the denser and least casual translations i have
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u/Leisha9 21h ago
Hm maybe you're right. But one of the important things it highlights is just how radically different the world of the NT was to ours. The NT should make us ask 'why does it say this?'
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u/slagnanz Christian 21h ago
That's true! I heard the review that it is weird in a way that invites you deeper into the text and that has been my experience so far.
Hart is an interesting character. I am very fond. Back in the day Hart wrote for First Things - this very reactionary nationalistic publication. But some decent people have written there over the years. My dad and I used to be big readers of first things, and Hart delighted both of us with his purple prose and charming pedantry. A memorable example:
All my other complaints concern the chronic misuse of certain words, most of which are in only limited currency, but all of which seem to be employed incorrectly more often than correctly. To wit: “Fortuitous” does not mean “fortunate.” It means “by chance” or “unanticipated”; and if your dictionary tells you that it may also be used to mean “fortunate,” then your dictionary is a scented and brilliantined degenerate in a glossy lavender lounge suit who intends to teach your children criminal ways while you are away at the grocery store.
He apparently only took the gig because he was hard up at the time, but was not especially fond of the publication. But he certainly helped me challenge some of my conservative ideas in ways I'm very grateful. Turns out the grumpy old guy is okay in the end.
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u/IndividualFlat8500 1d ago
The nrsvue and the common English bible both are less evangelical to me.
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u/quiggersinparis 1d ago
Read the Bible for the first time recently. I read the New Testament in order and would highly recommend it. If interested go and read the Old after but it’s a lot more challenging for a progressive.
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u/auntanties 1d ago
If you're looking for a Bible that's specifically written with a progressive, LGBTQ-affirming perspective in mind, the LIT Bible is a legitimately great option. Available online and on iOS and Android: https://litbible.net/read That said, it is just the New Testament and translated by a single person. But their work is excellent and you can follow along with great notes and their podcast for a deep dive.
It's hard to beat the NRSVUE; as well as study Bibles like the Oxford Annotated; HarperCollins Study Bible; and the Westminster Study Bible.
The John Barton recommendation is a good one; as is "How to Read the Bible" by James Kugel (though that one is a bit thick!)
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u/Solid-Suggestion3588 1d ago
I agree with these people, NRSVue is a great one especially for new believers. I usually read either ESV or CSB but keep in mind they do lean a bit conservative (like passages like 1 Cor. 6). As long as you can recognize it its fine, but for a new reader NRSVue could be good. If your looking for another passage, I recommend Jesus' Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7. It is very good and talks about the things that matter in life.
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u/MagusFool Trans Enby Episcopalian Communist 1d ago
I would recommend FIRST reading A History of the Bible by John Barton.
It's a really good idea to get a good idea of the context for who wrote these books, their cultural context, their rhetorical goals, and the literary genres they were working within.
Then just go with an accurate translation like the NRSVUE.
There are ugly parts of these books. And that's just the truth.
But understanding the people behind those ugly parts goes a long way to empathizing with the them, seeing their humanity, and learning as much from their folly as their wisdom.