I have mentioned before the surprising boldness with which those who gave us the NIV Bible in English set out to improve the Scriptures by toning down the patriarchal language. It is worth reading their preface to the NRIV to see what they thought they were about. They have in fact opened a door to re-writing much of our literature – nursery rhymes, amongst other things.
We may soon expect Jill and the Beanstalk to make an appearance. Along with little girl blue and little Jill Horner the ladies are coming into their birth-right. I haven’t mentioned this to Humpty but he can expect to be shadowed by a female counterpart (named Shumpty?) who will be able to look forward to an attempted re-assembly by all the King’s (or Queen’s) men.
A far as Shakespeare is concerned, we have already had a female playing Henry the Fifth. A step further and we shall have a Queen Lear. With a bit of role-reversal we shall have The Merry Husbands of Windsor and The Two Ladies of Verona.
Venturing further afield, we may expect to see Jane Bond, Robina Hood, the Countess of Monte Cristo and Shirley Holmes being served up on the silver screen. We human beings can adapt to any circumstance, they say. We shall surely take these changes in our stride.
So, should we be expecting to see a Lawrence Nightingale or a Jamie Johnson taking up today’s equivalent of a lamp or a light aircraft to tone down a patriarchal society? If an English translation of the Bible can opt for a level playing-field, is that not an example for us all?
But no. I think it is on the whole better not to set out to improve the Scriptures. And keep gender-changes for the pantomime season where they find a natural home. And remember: there are other English versions of the Bible than the NRIV.
AFTER ALPHA
‘Freedom in faith’ is a follow-up course for those who have benefited from Alpha at St Paul’s, Crofton, Kent. Bimbi Abayomi Cole is the Vicar.
OLDEST
The oldest working building in south Yorkshire is St Peter’s church, Conisbrough, Doncaster. ‘Meals with Jesus’ form part of the programme. The Vicar is Martijn Mugge. Martijn comes from Holland (his home town is Roden) and he was brought up an atheist but made a decisive switch.
DEDHAM HEAVYWEIGHT
Charlotte Parker edits an impressive 52-page church magazine well supported by advertisers in Dedham, Essex. The church has a full programme, has been greatly exercised about the choice between refurbishing the church pipe organ and ordering a digital one, and the Vicar is Antony Wilson.
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