May 18, 2005
AOV
OoN has had a number of enquiries about the increasing use of the first-person plural by certain Anglican pontiffs who, as best as can be determined otherwise, are all of the same sex. Curiously, the questioners also wonder in common if this behavior is any indication of same sex relationships afoot in the House of Bishops.
This was clearly a question for the reference librarians. They are normally not surprised by anything they find, but this time were startled to discover that, unknown to any reputable or, for that matter, disreputable biblical scholars, Jesus or otherwise, a new translation of the Bible has suddenly appeared.
It is OoN’s obligation to report that this first person plural usage has also appeared just as suddenly in the Book. The new Anglican Orthodox Version of the Bible (AOV) puts all the references to sex in red-letter, leaves the prohibitions against divorce and usury and calling somebody “father” out altogether. It even has God answering in the first-person plural.
For example, Moses’ request for credentials at the burning bush now reads, “We are who we are… Say this to the people of Israel, ‘We are has sent me to you’” (Ex 3.14). And when the Jews question Jesus’ authority, he assures them, “Truly, truly, we say to you, before Abraham was, we are” (Jn 8.34). Space prevents further examples, but perhaps you get the drift.
It is to be regretted, however, that the AOV will not anytime soon be available for either public or private lectionary use. The House of Bishops cannot arrive at a single mind about which shade of purple should be the Morocco binding, all the available paper has been outsourced to India, and they’ve not yet forgotten how disturbing were the release of the RSV fifty-five years ago and the new Book of Common Prayer only some twenty-five. They want, as well, to assure the people in the pews of how demanding a burden indeed it is be a guardian and keeper of the Faith.