Podcast appearances and mentions of Terry M Wildman

What happens when your modern English translation renders the meaning of biblical names, connecting this with the practices of the ancient Hebrews and traditional Native Americans? Terry M. Wildman, of Ojibwe and Yaqui ancestry, is the Lead Translator, Editor, and Project Manager of the First Nations Version. He is the Director of Spiritual Growth and Leadership Development for Native InterVarsity, and the founder of the non-profit Rain Ministries. He has previously served as a pastor and worship leader. Terry and his wife, Darlene, live in Maricopa, Arizona, on the traditional lands of the Pima and Tohono O'odham. Together, they are the Grammy-nominated and Nammy award-winning musical duo and recording artists known as RainSong. Check out related programs at Wheaton College: B.A. in Classical Languages (Greek, Latin, Hebrew): https://bit.ly/4e00ejF  M.A. in Biblical Exegesis: https://bit.ly/3A3ZDQd 

Today's episode is part one of “Who Is My Neighbor?,” our latest pod-class series on faithful discipleship and what it means to truly love our neighbor. And, in case you missed it, be sure to listen to last week's episode, where Heather revisits the parable of the Good Samaritan and explains why she chose “Who Is My Neighbor?” as this month's pod-class theme. This week, Heather is joined by minister and Bible translator Terry M. Wildman to discuss Terry's work on First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament, as well as the inherent challenges of communicating Christianity's good news to a community of people who have been historically marginalized and abused by white Christian leaders. The First Nations Version is a retelling of the Creator's story—the Scriptures—following in the tradition of the storytellers of these oral cultures. Many First Nations tribes communicate with the cultural and linguistic thought patterns found in their original tongues. This way of speaking, with its striking beauty and rich cultural idioms, still resonates in the hearts of First Nations people. In his ministry, Terry demonstrates the power of understanding our neighbors' cultural contexts so that we can connect with them in more caring and authentic ways. But first, for this week's Social Toolkit, Heather chats with author and Bible teacher Alexandra V. Hoover about how to be faithful and effective stewards of our social platforms. Her latest book is the bestselling Eyes Up: How to Trust God's Heart by Tracing His Hand. Guest Bio Terry M. Wildman (Ojibwe and Taqui) is the lead translator, general editor, and project manager of the First Nations Version. He serves as the director of spiritual growth and leadership development for Native InterVarsity. He is also the founder of Rain Ministries, and has previously served as a pastor and worship leader. He and his wife Darlene, live in Arizona. Host Bio Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including I'll See You Tomorrow and It's Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on Twitter @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath Producer: Loren Joseph Associate Producer: Azurae Phelps Mix Engineer: Alex Carter Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“In some ways, we judge the story by the storyteller.” Colonialism corrupted the beautiful message of the Gospel when it forced Christianity on Indigenous people. The First Nations Version of the New Testament (FNV) seeks to remove those colonial barriers and present the beauty of Jesus' story. Terry Wildman, lead translator and project manager of FNV, talks with Amy Julia about how this translation is a gift from Native people to Native people, as well as to the dominant culture and the Church as a whole.SHOW NOTES (go to amyjuliabecker.com/terry-wildman/ for complete show notes and for BOOK GIVEAWAY info)Guest Bio: “Terry M. Wildman (Ojibwe and Yaqui) is the lead translator, general editor, and project manager of the First Nations Version. He serves as the director of spiritual growth and leadership development for Native InterVarsity. He is also the founder of Rain Ministries.”Connect Online:Website: firstnationsversion.comInstagram: @fnv.ntFacebook: @FirstNationsVersionTwitter: @TerryMWildmanOn the Podcast:First Nations VersionMore books by Terry Wildman: Birth of the Chosen One, When the Great Spirit Walked Among UsThe Song of Bitter Tears (Luke 1:46–55, Magnificat)Translation processInterview Quotes“…Christianity was brought to our Native people and forced on us, technically. In some sense, we didn't make our own decision from reading the Bible or from hearing the gospel. We didn't make our own decision. We were told this is what we have to do. And so to me faith comes out of a willing heart that hears...the story of the gospel.”“Even the word ‘church' can bring up barriers because of those [colonial] experiences. So we intentionally used other words so that those barriers don't immediately go up. We're not trying to deceive anyone or any of our Native people. We're just trying to present the Scriptures in a way so that the barriers that the colonial experiment on our people produced aren't in the way."“This [translation] is not only a gift from Native people to other Native people, but it's also a gift from a group of Native people to the dominant culture…it opens up new ways of seeing God.”“When you take something as beautiful as the gospel—and I believe the gospel is a wonderful, beautiful story when it's understood—and when you force that on somebody, in oppressive ways, you destroy the message of it because Native people, traditionally, we don't just listen to the story. We evaluate the storyteller. And if the storyteller isn't consistent with the story, then we don't believe the story.”___Season 5 of the Love Is Stronger Than Fear podcast connects to themes in my newest book, To Be Made Well, releasing Spring 2022...you can pre-order here! Learn more about my writing and speaking at amyjuliabecker.com.*A transcript of this episode will be available within one business day, as well as a video with closed captions on my YouTube Channel.

Terry M. Wildman (Ojibwe and Yaqui) is the lead translator, general editor, and project manager of the brilliant First Nations Version of the New Testament.  He serves as the director of spiritual growth and leadership development for Native InterVarsity. He is also the founder of Rain Ministries and has previously served as a pastor and worship leader. He and his wife, Darlene, live in Arizona.More about Terry and the FNV can be found HERE.Has anything we make been interesting, useful or fruitful for you? You can support us by becoming a Fellow Traveller on our Patreon page HERE.

Terry M. Wildman, lead translator of the First Nations Version of the New Testament (https://amzn.to/3xNWrAZ), speaks with Editorial Fellow Evana D. Upshaw about the first known translation of the New Testament into a culturally relevant style for the Indigenous peoples of North America. Wildman, founder of Rain Ministries, is also director of spiritual growth and leadership development for Native InterVarsity. Visit faithfullymagazine.com for more and follow us on Twitter @faithfullymag.