If you search out a passage on the very helpful “Bible Gateway” website, you will discover that among their resources are over 60 different English versions of the Bible and dozens of others in different languages, including languages you might never have heard of. There is no one version that is right, nor one that is the most accurate, or any one of them more ‘real’ than the others. The bible is a collection of writings from many different sources and eras, and began as an oral tradition that was passed down over time for generations before it was ever written down. Many ancient scrolls and fragments and different written versions have been found, but there is always variation among them. And then there’s the issue of translation. Each language is unique, and there are significant differences even among people who speak the same language - and every translator sees things a little differently. In the end, what we have is a document that is as diverse within itself as people are diverse themselves, and every different translation throws a new light on what this living, complicated Word of God is saying to us today.

The Word Lab is a group of word-curious people who get together once a month to look at one of the upcoming Sunday’s readings in a variety of different translations, whether in English or beyond. We note the differences between them and talk over what that might say about the passage’s meaning. We’ve been surprised at the variety we’ve found and this has enhanced our understanding of our faith. One particular resource we’ve found very helpful is the Translation Insights and Perspectives website. If you’d like to get into the conversation about the many different words used for God’s Word, come and join us!

We meet in the church study on the last Monday of the month from 4-5 pm. If you’d like to do some reading ahead, here are the passages for some of our upcoming meetings:

September 29 - Gospel for Proper 22: Luke 17:5-10

October 27 - Gospel for All Saints Day: Luke 6:20-31

November 24 - Gospel for the 1st Sunday of Advent: Matthew 24:36-44

December 29 - Gospel for the 2nd Sunday of Christmas: Matthew 2:13-15,19-23

January 26 - Epistle for the 4th Sunday after the Epiphany: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

February 23 - Gospel for the 2nd Sunday in Lent: John 3:1-17

March 30 - Gospel for the Monday of Holy Week: John 12:1-11

April 27 - Gospel for the 5th Sunday in Easter: John 14:1-14

May - no meeting due to Memorial Day

Word Lab summer break