The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John

by Clarence Jordan

The purpose of the "cotton patch" approach to the scriptures is to help the modern reader have the same sense of participation in them which the early Christians must have had. At the time of his death in October 1969 , Clarence Jordan had completed translating, and had polished for publication the Gospel of Matthew, and of the Gospel of John. This book is the result of his research and his approach to presenting the gospels.

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Christian

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Though I (and probably Clarence Jordan) don't believe this paraphrase should substitute a much more literal translation, it was interesting to see how Jordan puts Scripture in more...southern vernacular. It's humorous at times and a little bit irreverent (the N word is used once, and the word for a female dog is used as a synonym for complaining), but given that Jordan has a Ph.D. in New Testament Greek from one of the nation's most prestigious Christian seminaries, I have no doubt that he took this project seriously with only good intentions.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking translation of Matthew and part of John, set in the Southern US. Well done and easy to read.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the 1970s, Clarence Jordan (founder of Koinonia Farm) wrote a modern translation of Matthew and John. Jesus is a poor white boy from Valdosta, GA who travels around talking to the local farmers and berating the elders of First Church.

For example, Matthew 9 - "Jesus took note of their faith, and said to the paralyzed man, "Perk up, my boy. Your sins are being forgiven." Then some of the churchmen said, "This bird is talking heresy!"

I'm a fan of Eugene Peterson's modern vernacular translation, but if someone tried to make a culturally situated translation of the Bible for 2014, I would find it eye-rollingly hokey and ridiculous. But Jordan totally pulls it off. His translation comes off charming, delightful, and very surprisingly relevant. Jordan identifies a lot of interesting (and accurate!) parallels between the first century Middle East and 1970s Georgia. His translation of the Sermon on the Mount was particularly convicting. ("They who are deeply concerned are God's people, for they will see their ideas become reality...They who have an unsatisfied appetite for the right are God's people, for they will be given plenty to chew on.") Jordan makes you deeply feel the call for justice inherent in these texts and humanizes Jesus' world in a clarifying way.

A really fresh, accessible, and thoughtful modern Bible translation - even 44 years later. Fantastic.

[J-T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't do better than to quote a few verses from the bible which calls Joseph the father of Jesus "Joe Davidson."

"When Jesus was born in Gainesville, Georgia during the time that Herod was governor, some scholars from the Orient came to Atlanta and inquired, "Where is the one who was born to be governor of Georgia? We saw his star in the Orient, and we came to honor him." This news put Governor Herod and all his cronies in a tizzy. So he called a meeting of the big time preachers and politicians, and asked if they had any idea where the Leader was to be born. In Gainesville, Georgia," the replied, "because there's a bible prophecy which says:

And you Gainesville, in the state of Georgia,
Are by no means the least in the Georgia delegation;
From you will come a governor,
Who will wisely guide my chosen people.' "

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this aloud for the fam, and it's quite striking. It walks a fascinating line between profundity and disrespect, but once you get the feel for Jordan's project, it's fascinating. He forces the listener out of established grooves of hearing. Clarence Jordan's own heroic mercy work stands behind this and all his texts. Back in the 30s, he determined to follow Jesus' commands and live life "without concern for the consequences." For him, this meant establishing an integrated Christian community, Koinonia Farm (still running), dedicated to living the way of the cross. Of course, doing that in Georgia before the civil rights era invited severe persecutions, just as Jesus promised.

[Mark Woodland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming adaptation of the Gospels of Matthew & John with a unique twist: it's a re-telling of the story as if the whole thing had taken place in present-time rural Georgia. Therefore, places like Bethlehem become Gainesville, Nazareth is Valdosta, and Jerusalem, of course, becomes Atlanta. The spirit is very close to the originals, yet set in a framework that makes it very accessible and amusing. The characters in the Gospels take on personae that ring familiar, yet are also based on the originals: Peter is still stubborn, John is still a big talker, etc. This book was adapted into a wonderful stage musical with all of the songs written by Harry Chapin; it was his last major work. This is a lovely light read, and Mr. Jordan has published a few more like it.

[Rocky Curtiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the premise of translating the New Testament to (relatively) current times and familiar locales is a worthy cause. I have to admit that until I had read the entire work and was reading the Afterword by Dr. Tony Campolo, and saw a photo of Clarence Jordan, I believed he was black. It surprised me but did not affect my opinion. I especially enjoyed The Book of Matt (Matthew) and His Letter to Hebrews. I believe I would have gained more if I took more time to meditate over the writings.

[Nancy Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it helpful to imagine myself sitting in a 1950s rural Southern (white) congregation or around a campfire of the same era -- hearing the Gospel narratives speak to the prevailing culture. Though the euphemisms and locales may be a stretch for some non-native Southerners, if one can immerse in that era, the lessons are profound.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really cool book! Clarence Jordan was a preacher in the South in the 1960s and put the gospels in the vernacular current to that time. They are funny, touching, and definitely get the point across.

[Brent Barnard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Funny. If memory serves, Jerusalem is replaced by Washington DC, etc.

[Robert Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better than the Message. He only did the first 8 chapters of john before he died. I wish somebody'd let me finish the rest for him!

[Jimbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this version of the Bible will give a new understanding of its meaning. This version was written for the uneducated person. Namely the slaves of early USA.