Field Notes: Secret of Science Plus Best Study Bible

The secret to material progress has been revealed! It is--Ignorance. Sound crazy? Listen to this edition of Field Notes as I quote the esteemed historian Yuval Harari make the case that we can only learn if we admit that we do not know the answers. Plus, explore the best study Bible I've used in a long time, the New Revised Standard Update Edition. I share why it is worth your small investment to fuel your spiritual development. 

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SPEAKER_00 0:02

Welcome to the Tracks for the Journey field notes. I'm sharing the best material from recent editions of my newsletter, blog, and publications. Tracks for the Journey and signposts for the journey are dedicated to your well-being through spirituality, psychology, and ethics.

We Need Ignorance

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Ignorance rules. That's the first field note of this week. You need to be ignorant. Yval Ferrari explains in his intriguing book Sapiens A Brief History of Humankind how important ignorance has been for society. He writes, The scientific revolution has not been a revolution of knowledge. It has above all been a revolution of ignorance. Modern science is based on the Latin injunction ignoramus, literally meaning we do not know. It assumes that we don't know everything. Even more critically, it accepts that the things we think we know could be proven wrong as we gain more knowledge. No concept, idea, or theory is sacred and beyond challenge. The great discovery that launched the scientific revolution 500 years ago was the discovery that humans did not know the answers to their most important questions. Modern day science is a unique tradition of knowledge inasmuch as it openly admits collective ignorance regarding the most important questions. The willingness to admit ignorance has made modern science more dynamic, supple, and inquisitive than any previous tradition of knowledge. I believe he certainly has a point there. It's true for anyone seeking well-being as well as knowledge. We must admit we need to understand and ask questions until we experimentally find some answers. So, three cheers for ignorance.

Best Study Bible: the NRSVUE

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The next piece I want to bring you in these field notes is about the new revised Standard Version, updated edition of the Bible. I believe everyone needs a study edition of the Bible. Having a trusted source of information beyond the simple text of Scripture has been a practice of mine for decades. And readers seeking to deepen their understanding of Scripture will find the choice of translation and study tools profoundly shapes their spiritual journey. I recommend this new revised Standard Version updated edition published by Harper Collins. I've used the NRSB UE translation for a couple of years for devotional and study purposes. The language is clear, graceful, and as accurate as any translation I've ever used. So I've put on the lower shelf the less accurate and theologically biased New International Version or the English Standard Version because I want to move forward with this better and updated resource. Let me share more about this excellent translation and the HarperCollins edition. First of all, its unparalleled accuracy. Rather than a completely new translation, this NRSV UE is a meticulous update of the widely respected 1989 edition. It incorporates approximately 20,000 total changes to ensure the biblical text remains as accurate, clear, and reasonable as possible. Over the next three decades since 1989, biblical scholarship has seen immense advances, including manuscript discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls that are newly translated, and refined understanding of ancient languages. This edition leverages these discussions. This edition leverages these discoveries to offer the most historically accurate and broadly vetted English translation in the world. A second factor influencing me to use this edition is the language with respect for everyone. Beyond historical accuracy, the NRSVUE enriches faith practices by shaping how Christians speak about and view our fellow human beings. It reflects a deep respect for the dignity of all people as image bearers of God. The translators made a good faith effort to adopt first-person language, deliberately separating a person's inherent identity from conditions or disabilities imposed on them. A third factor is the catalyst for spiritual growth. This resource acts as a personal guide through the historical and cultural complexities of Scripture. It's packed with comprehensive introductions to every book of the Bible, detailing crucial background information such as authorship, dating, literary style, and structure. And further, it features hundreds of new articles, charts, and maps that explain the key concepts, historical events, and cultural context. I think this study Bible can prevent just surface-level readings of Scripture and instead cultivate a robust and resilient faith that's deeply informed by the realities of how the Bible was written, preserved, and translated over 2,000 years. So I would say to you, if you're going to make an investment in your spiritual growth, a great study Bible will give you a return on your investment for many years. This particular edition by HarperCollins will provide accuracy and built-in resources for understanding. The cost is less than a dinner at the restaurant, but it will feed your soul for a long time. Now, I don't receive any kind of remuneration for this recommendation. It's purely from my own experience. So let me say thank you for listening to this edition of Field Notes. I recommend that you continue to find resources at the Tracks for the Journey website, which you can find at www.tracksforthejourney.com. I certainly welcome your comments and ideas, and you can email me directly at connectfj at yahoo.com. So keep on moving on your journey to well being.