Categories: uncategorized
Date: 26 February 2006 08:42:28
Over the last few years, but particularly the last 6 months I have become v. aware that there is stuff I took for granted as, "the norm" which only happens to seem like that to me because of the denominational/ theological setting I've grown up in. Part of this realisation has come from my uni course, but part of it comes from reading bloggs and generally chatting with friends who are sort of on the edge of a "post-denominational" world, whilst desperately trying to keep to being "sound", and holding on to an identity that comes from denominational/ theological identification.
One of the wake up calls I have had relates to translations of the bible. I have to say that up until this autumn I honestly thought the NIV was the bible translation that all Protestant churches used. It was only through reading Maggi's post and, about the same time, finding out that the preferred version at uni was the NRSV that I began to realise that the range didn't just have to be NIV, Message or NKJV. However, when the cheap copy of the NRSV in Oxfam also contained a copy of the Apocrypha I did wonder should I be buying this - which is a ridiculous thought, but as I say goes back to the norms I grew up with.
What does my head in about it all is the fact that in an increasingly ecumenical and post-denominational world alot of resources and stuff are becoming available which are influenced by a range of demoninations and traditions, but, if me and my friends are anything to go by, your average "free church bum on seat", who has grown up with the denominational outlook of previous generations, is unprepared for them. We are having to unlearn alot of the kak we have inherited, whilst still seeking to hold on to soundness and it seems there is v. ickle guidance coming on how to do this.