Date: March 16, 2022
I remember buying an annotated Revised Standard Version Bible when I was a student and starting my study of Theology. I marveled at those who had the privilege of writing the notes. And plenty of my assignments drew on their wisdom. I remember thinking that these scholars who had the opportunity to illuminate our interpretation of Scripture must be extraordinary; the text is being read by the student or the preacher and their interpretation is embedded right in the text.
Today, I want to honor those at VTS who have contributed to the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) Bible. This will be the annotated Bible of the future. Dr. Stephen Cook contributed the introduction and notes to Ezekiel; Dr. Melody Knowles contributed the introduction and notes to Ezra and Nehemiah; Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams contributed the introduction and notes to Exodus. And our Board member, Dr. Judith Newman served as the General Editor of the Deuterocanon/Apocrypha Books.
There are many indicators that you are in the presence of a distinguished Faculty. And this is one of them. I will buy the print edition (when it is available in August) rather than the Kindle version (which is available now). Meanwhile, I celebrate the achievement of colleagues who are doing that most fundamental task of making the Bible available to the people of God.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President