Records of the Bible Translation and Utilization Program, NCCUSA

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.