Reading: Bevans [Translation]

When I first think of the word translation, in response to the translation model of contextual theology as explained by Bevans, personally think of the Greek and Hebrew translations of the Bible. Also know as, the primary reason I am in the MAT program instead of a MDiv student. I'll be honest, larning new languages scare me a little. I barely passed German in High School and didn't have to take a language during my undergrad over 10 years ago because I was able to test out of some math classes.


So when Bevans speaks of the translation method, I can relate from my experiences coordinating Sunday services where I took biblical text and created new and experiential ways the church goer could experience and understand the text, but beyond that not much in the way of languages. Basically, I can translate the English text to a current cultural setting better than most. But if you asked me the Greek root of eschatology, I'd be lost.

Response: Harmony's Blog [Week 3]

Harmony made a strong point this week when she noticed that Bevans made a point to state that God is not necessarily a male but in the church people tend to use the metaphor “father.” She continued in observation that some Fuller faculty fail to use gender inclusive language when speaking in class. I have seen the same behavior and applaud Harmony for calling out those responsible. Some may say its a small thing and doesn't really matter. But each little step towards gender equality is important, especially in a field like the Church where many still hold onto archaic doctrine formed out of cultural bias.

I started my Fuller experience up at the Northwest campus and found the faculty there to follow the gender inclusive line fairly well overall, to the point where some professors would mention when your paper had a "father" or "mankind" that needed to be fixed.

Although the models theory that Bevans is presenting here does go into detail about how individuals can be shaped by there past and further emphasizes the need to study our models of theology and philosophical underpinnings. So basically the particular faculty guilty of not following rules are just following what they have learned.

Reading: Barker [Language]

The relationship between language and culture seems very basic on the surface and how societies communicate and find meaning in things. But when one looks at the social connotations of "dress codes," for example, it is fascinating to break down that what is socially acceptable in one context is completely unacceptable in another. And that meaning is derived from the cultural practices of different sects and subgroups within individual societies. For example, one could blend in as "normal" in suspenders, overalls, and boots in a farming community, while wearing the same clothes in a downtown nightclub just wouldn't fly... and wouldn't get you past the doorman.