Records of the Bible Translation and Utilization Program, NCCUSA

Collection

Call Number: RG 218

Scope and Contents

This collection contains unofficial archival documentation of the work of the Bible Translation and Utilization Program of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., the policy-making body for the New Revised Standard Version. The records were collected by Dr. Shannon Clarkson and date primarily from the period 1988 to 1999 when she was a BTU member and/or Chairperson. They document the preparation, launch, and promotion of the NRSV and related products. The collection complements the documentation held in Yale Divinity Library Record Group No. 70, Records of the Standard Bible Committee. The Standard Bible Committee was responsible for preparation of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

Series I, Correspondence, consists primarily of letters exchanged between Shannon Clarkson and BTU representatives or copies of correspondence between publishers and scholars and BTU representatives. Issues addressed include the structure and policy of the BTU, critiques of the NRSV translation, publishing and distribution rights for the NRSV and related products, promotion/marketing, and plans for consultations.

Series II, Policy, includes background documents regarding the BTU program and regarding the marketing and distribution of the NRSV and related products. Series III, Agendas and Minutes, documents meetings of the BTU group and plans for consultations that it sponsored, including on "Biblical Interpretation Beyond Patriarchy" (1993), "Biblical Literacy" (1994), and "Next Steps in Translation" (1999: The Authority of Religious Traditions for Bible Translation; 2000: Ideologies of Biblical Texts and English Bible Translations). . Series IV, Operations, includes contracts with publishers of the NRSV and related products, and budget information. Series V, Promotion, includes reports on promotion activities, publicity publications, copies of "The Latest Word - A newsletters for those who are helping to launch the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible", and endorsements and critiques of the NRSV.

Dates

1980-1999

Creator

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Bible Translation and Utilization

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of J. Shannon Clarkson, 2002.

Arrangement

I. Correspondence, 1988-1999
II. Policy, 1980-1994
III. Agendas and Minutes, 1989-1999
IV. Operations, 1988-1999
V. Promotion, 1989-1995
VI. Collected Material, 1989-1999

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/divinity.218

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains unofficial archival documentation of the work of the Bible Translation and Utilization Program of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., which was the policy-making body for the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. The records date primarily from the period when the donor, Dr. J. Shannon Clarkson, was a BTU member. They document the preparation, launch, and promotion of the NRSV and reactions to it.

Biographical / Historical

In 1980 the Division of Education and Ministry of the National Council of Churches in the U.S.A. authorized the translation committee of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible to begin working on a new translation. The Bible Translation and Utilization group (variously known as Program Ministry, Department, Unit, Committee, Section, and Program) was the policy-making body for the New Revised Standard Version, which was launched on September 30, 1990. During the period documented by these files, the BTU unit was directed by Arthur O. Van Eck and David J. Lull. BTU members represented various denominational groups; Dr. J. Shannon Clarkson, who donated these records, represented the United Church of Christ. Dr. Bruce Metzger, who was also involved with the preparation of the Revised Standard Version, was a member of the BTU group. The BTU was responsible for overseeing the development of an accurate translation of the Bible, developing contracts with publishers, developing plans for the utilization of the translation, and working with church bodies to integrate the translation into curricula, worship resources, evangelism resources, etc.