My response to BI181 Introducing Bible Translations Before taking this course I never thought how good it could be to use multiple translations to get a broader picture of God's word. Grew up reading the King James Version of the bible in the Catholic Church, and after drifting away and fulling giving my life to the Lord I began reading the English Standard version. Felt like I would be able to understand God's word with just that. I was very much mistaken. Dr. mark Strauss showed us not only the many translations available to us, but also explained that no translation captures all of the meaning. As well as all translations capture important aspects. We all come from different cultural and different languages are spoken, and can some languages such as Spanish and french and have different meaning which can be feminine or masculine. As well words don't have just one meaning or literal meaning. You can take a simple work like bat and wont know if they are talking about the animal or an object used in baseball. That is why context is so important. Even though all translation is interpretation, but the contexts will determine the meaning of it. Its a two step process of interpreting the text as well as expressing the meaning. But Dr. Strauss does remind us that no translation is perfect. Words do get lost in translation and have to factor that some words do have have a translation in another language. It is unreliable to translate literally and we should translate according to context. I was shocked to see the the word man/men was removed in a total of six hundred seventy one times during the gender language section. Would notice some of it as I read the some Scripture but thought that was the way it always was especially in the begin of my walk. Now I have notice that it stick out like a sore thumb and catch my self pausing when I come across it. I do my best to no pay to much attention and get passed of all the political correctness of this world has to offer and just dive into the word of God and study the word for what it is especially pouncing between the 5 translations I use now have help me get the bigger picture of it. One thing they may not be translated in one version I can pick up more context from another and bring it all together as a whole. I am glad Dr. Strauss did point out the fact that translation is not replacing words, but that is reproducing meaning. I remember when I was gonna begin to take this course ad seen the title and just thought how exciting or interesting could this course be. I can admit I set the bar very low and how I was proven wrong completely and couldn't get enough of the course once I started. I remember I started the course late at night and couldn't stop until completed it and that's exactly what happen. Just seen the that was fifteen segments in this course there was so much information that came exploding out of it. Always left you wanting more and how simple Dr. Strauss was explaining it all and sharing all of his knowledge and wisdom with us. Just in the past year from taking these courses and really spending planned time in in my Bible, it has been easier to see the point of the Author is trying to get across. I know I am far from a biblical scholar but just being able to translated it better and as sitting in bible study and comparing with other followers, I feel a confidence I have never felt before. I can explain what I feel it means to me and well take others opinions. Siting with my mentors and Pastors and talking about God's word and the acknowledgment and feedback they give me fulfilling. Dr. Strauss has given us the tools to help us understand the bible on another level, it is our job now to use those tools to understand his word and as well being able to share it with others to its fullest. What good is a God's word with we keep it to ourselves and not share it with the world, being able to share the grace and mercy of God's word with others is the best part out of all this. Dr. Strauss put it best “ continue to read God's word so that yo will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Our Lord Jesus Christ “