Interpreter's Bible series
Encyclopedia
The Interpreter's Bible series is a Biblical criticism
series published by United Methodist Publishing
(Abingdon
/Cokesbury
) beginning in the 1950s. Each volume covers one or more books of the Old Testament
, the New Testament
or the Apocrypha
.
The volumes contain in-depth introductions and commentaries
, complemented by original translations, with full critical notes that include alternate readings and alternative translations. Synopses of informed discussion of the historical origins and the manuscripts' traditions are also provided.
These volumes are not designed for the casual Bible reader, but for the "educated layman
" who is already prepared with a general understanding of and interest in higher criticism, or for members of the clergy
who are already familiar with basic Biblical criticism.
The original series utilized the King James Version and the Revised Standard Version
. An updated series beginning in the 1990s, the New Interpreter's Bible series uses the New International Version
and the New Revised Standard Version
.
Biblical criticism
Biblical criticism is the scholarly "study and investigation of Biblical writings that seeks to make discerning judgments about these writings." It asks when and where a particular text originated; how, why, by whom, for whom, and in what circumstances it was produced; what influences were at work...
series published by United Methodist Publishing
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
(Abingdon
Abingdon Press
Abingdon Press is the book publishing arm of the United Methodist Publishing House which publishes sheet music, ministerial resources, Bible-study aids, and other items, often with a focus on Methodism and Methodists. Abingdon Press was begun in the early 1900s by The Methodist Church, and is...
/Cokesbury
Cokesbury
Cokesbury is the retail division of the United Methodist Publishing House. While it is an agency of the United Methodist Church, Cokesbury serves Christians of all denominations...
) beginning in the 1950s. Each volume covers one or more books of the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
, the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
or the Apocrypha
Apocrypha
The term apocrypha is used with various meanings, including "hidden", "esoteric", "spurious", "of questionable authenticity", ancient Chinese "revealed texts and objects" and "Christian texts that are not canonical"....
.
The volumes contain in-depth introductions and commentaries
Exegesis
Exegesis is a critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially a religious text. Traditionally the term was used primarily for exegesis of the Bible; however, in contemporary usage it has broadened to mean a critical explanation of any text, and the term "Biblical exegesis" is used...
, complemented by original translations, with full critical notes that include alternate readings and alternative translations. Synopses of informed discussion of the historical origins and the manuscripts' traditions are also provided.
These volumes are not designed for the casual Bible reader, but for the "educated layman
Layman
A layperson or layman is a person who is not an expert in a given field of knowledge. The term originally meant a member of the laity, i.e. a non-clergymen, but over the centuries shifted in definition....
" who is already prepared with a general understanding of and interest in higher criticism, or for members of the clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
who are already familiar with basic Biblical criticism.
The original series utilized the King James Version and the Revised Standard Version
Revised Standard Version
The Revised Standard Version is an English translation of the Bible published in the mid-20th century. It traces its history to William Tyndale's New Testament translation of 1525. The RSV is an authorized revision of the American Standard Version of 1901...
. An updated series beginning in the 1990s, the New Interpreter's Bible series uses the New International Version
New International Version
The New International Version is an English translation of the Christian Bible. Published by Zondervan in the United States and by Hodder & Stoughton in the UK, it has become one of the most popular modern translations in history.-History:...
and the New Revised Standard Version
New Revised Standard Version
The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible is an English translation of the Bible released in 1989 in the USA. It is a thorough revision of the Revised Standard Version .There are three editions of the NRSV:...
.