Blog (1) Miranda Hernandez

In my three years as a Journalism major, I have learned that a little editing goes a long way. The fine tuning at the end of the writing process is imperative. Effective storytelling comes from the ability to communicate eloquently. No one will read something that they cannot understand, no matter how compelling the text is. However, if something is changed too much, the voice of the author is lost on the reader’s ears.

I found myself reminded of this during the Ehrman’s reading. Ehrman emphasized the importance editing played in the compilation of the Bible. Many of the early writers, he pointed out, did not need to edit their work. They needed to create a compilation of the stories that they had heard through generations. “Many of these writers did not use punctuation, capitalization of letters, or paragraphs in their writings”¹ Therefore, Ehrman points out, it would be pertinent to make alterations to the Biblical text, so that all could comprehend and continually appreciate the word of the New Testament.

I could relate to the editors and translators of the Bible making their changes to create a better story. A dilemma results here: how much is too much editing? When does it go from the direct words of Christ to the interpretations of a scribe, editor, or worse, translator? Ehrman acknowledges himself that, eons later, we as readers of the Bible still may never know what the intention or interpretation was of some New Testament text. Ehrman writes that “it is impossible to know what a New Testament author meant if you don’t know what he said.” ²

As followers of the Bible, we are at the mercy of many storytellers, editors, and translators.  Just as Ehrman points out, we need to be cautious of text that may be less documented or completely made up. If I know anything as a Journalism major though it is that you cannot believe everything you read.

1  B.D. Ehrman. The New Testament. (4:New York: Oxford: 2008) 494

2  B.D. Ehrman. The New Testament. (4: New York; Oxford; 2008) 495.

Bibliography

Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament. Fourth edition. New York: 2008, p 487-499