The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation Paperback – March 16, 2009

The translators did a really good job with this fresh translation. The Inclusive Bible reads smoothly and I spend much less time rereading sections for clarity. There are “not that many notes” so it reads quickly, however I really find myself looking for the translator notes. They are unique in that they also add a sense of humor, bringing to light where there are puns… and play on words, which is fun, ie the Adam/ Adahm as “earth human” etc. They explain in the preface how the use of terms was in relationship to the text around it, however I find myself wishing there were notes on some of the term change areas as to what prompted the changes. Overall, I love it. My other favorite Bible is the Amplified everyday bible, if that helps give context to my basis. I particularly enjoy how readable the letters in the New Testament are, how they feel like they are written right to you verses picking up a very old letter to someone else that you did not know perhaps. I read somewhere, prior to purchasing, that one of the goals of the IB was to ensure that the entire text be taken into context verses one or two verses here and there on their own. I feel like they accomplished this, especially in the letters to Ephesians, Timothy and John… even that? I can’t say as I have ever been able to sit down and focus long enough to read through nearly 6 books in a few hours and feel like I was really comprehending what was written and not looking to outside references multiple times for look ups etc. They did a good job.

I was first introduced to this translation of the Bible while working as a Chaplain at a hospital where we were made to be intentional in our use of inclusive language with the patients. At first, I was skeptical of this translation as, being a seminary student on the path to Priestly ordination, I worried the desire to make the terminology inclusive would only happen by sacrificing accuracy.After exploring this Bible there, I needed to purchase it for myself and for my own library. This translation may not have the same beauty as the King James translation, and it may not be as wholly accurate as the New Revised Standard Version, or the New International Version, and it may not be as approachable to the masses as translations like The Message. Even so, it accomplished finding that desirable balance between accuracy and intentional use of language. In a world where many people have been severely damaged and hurt by the overall Christian church, particularly regarding sexuality and gender roles in addition to patriarchal domination, this translation is so necessary. By having this translation available to show that the Bible is just as compelling and Godly without gender and hierarchy flowing through the whole narrative can so help to allow those previously hurt find comfort in the church. God is not gendered, the spirit is not gendered, and all of humanity is a Creation of God regardless of gender, and so it is incredibly powerful to have a translation of the Bible which shows these realities. Now, I'm not saying I will be seeking to replace scripture readings in all worship with this translation, but I certainly will use it as a tool to explore how various translations compare to one another. Also, I will be using this translation, in addition to many others, in some worship services where I feel they are appropriate.

This is excellent work from a group of translators committed to accuracy. The translation reflects the work of other ministers and theologians I have read who translate directly from the Hebrew and Greek, including John Temple Bristow and J.R. Hyland.The translation is true to original wording. Where the word for people is in masculine form, this translation maintains masculine pronouns and nouns. Where the word for God is actually "Lord", it is maintained. However, where the word for people indicates both genders, as in "humankind" or "daughters and sons", it is translated as such rather than using unnecessarily inaccurate terms such as "mankind". In the O.T., the Hebrew names for God are used rather than presumptuously using masculine nouns and pronouns. Each term that is used to refer to God in the N.T. is translated to reflect the exact attributes inferred by the Aramaic or Greek term, rather than defaulting to masculine implications where there are none. Most importantly, where the Spirit of God is referred to in female terms, such as the nouns and verbs used to describe the Spirit of God's role in the creation process, the personification of "Wisdom" in Proverbs, or the Spirit descending like a dove on Jesus, this is indicated by wording or by footnote.Far from being an exercise in "political correctness", this translation is very fair and uses a broader array of nouns and pronouns to refer to God and people than other more simplified versions do, in the spirit of exercising precision of work. Which, after all, is the point of such work in the first place.The result provides a fuller image of God and of the community of believers that seek God than other translations allow for. In addition, many other non-controversial passages in Paul's letters are translated in such a way that makes more sense and comes across as much more loving in attitude.