Some Non-Passion Stories

There's an entertaining and informative story about the gender inclusive TNIV and other new Bible translations in Friday's LA Times. Who knew, for example, that Bible translators start out at $5 an hour and make it all the way to $20 an hour, if they work for the International Bible Society. TNIV opponents still don't like it.

The best line in the article goes to David Scholler of Fuller Seminary , a former seminary professor of mine at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. (I was there for a very short period of time.)

He really doesn't like the new The English Standard (ESV).

"It's already a 'dinosaur,' because it avoids the gender-inclusive language, he said.

"The Gospel is for both men and women," he added.
"We believe both men and women can be redeemed in Christ, can serve Christ in the church. And that's an important part of the Gospel."

Meanwhile, Alan Jacobs of Wheaton College is a big fan of the ESV, but admits it probably won't catch on.

Finally, a feel good story about Tethloach Tut, or "King Tut" as his teammates call him. Born in Sudan, he and his family fled on foot to Ethiopia and then to Kenya. He's now a 6-8 high school senior and basketball star at Crawford High School in San Diego, and is being recruited by several colleges. Here's an excerpt:

His goals are to use education to either become a doctor or a teacher and return to the Sudan. He already helps tutor Crawford students who need a little extra help in the classroom.

Tut says the Southeastern part of Sudan is primarily farmland but also is rich in natural resources such as oil and gold.

Channeled properly, he says it could be a prosperous country but points out that internal struggles instead have made it a dangerous place to live.

"I'll have to take the same road back, through Kenya and Ethiopia," said Tut, sadly. "I want to help. It's very bad there now, a lot of atrocities. Maybe I can make a difference.