Amazon recommended me a commentary on 2 Corinthians entitled “Varsy Arsy”!! I suppose it comes from the US, where that title wouldn’t sound so rude – but what on earth is it supposed to mean??
Varsy Arsy???
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As a US person, I find this rude and offensive. . . . Okay, so I really don’t, but I couldn’t resist.
From what I can gather, ‘arsy-versy’ is a British phrase that means ‘confused’ or ‘disordered’ or ‘not as it should be’. That Mr. Ross has flipped the terms either suggests that he sees 2 Cor as seeking to order the disordered state of the Corinthian church, or he didn’t know what the British phrase was and simply got it backwards (and misspelled?). Or, maybe there’s a double-play going on with this. . .hmmmm.
peculiar… I think I’ll steer clear of the book in case I get all arsy-versified myself…
Apparently, “it’s an old Puritan word similar to vice versa.”
…well if it’s good enough for the Puritans, it’s good enough for me
His commentary on 1 Corinthians is Arsy Varsy.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982038518/
Okay that’s one too many arsies for me…
As an American, I am likewise offended by “Arsy Varsy.” On one level, it is simply offense at the term Arsy. On another level, I am offended as a person who goes to great lengths to create titles for papers, blogs, and the like. One can not simply toss around “Arsy Varsy” all willy-nilly. Thirdly, rather than using this phrase as though ignorant of the meaning of “Arse/Arsy,” my main man, Phil, goes on to clarify that the Corinthian church had things “ass backward” (2). Fourth, “Arsy Varsy” is too expensive. Fifth, I hate “Arsy Varsy.” And last of all, chapter titles like “Smart Arse,”" I Yam What I Yam,” and “Huh?” That is all… arsy.
Wow… Phillip A. Ross… or P-dawg, as he prefers, is officially the hippest commentator on the Corinthian correspondence.
Hi. I have the strange feeling that someone is talking about me. Ever had that feeling? I don’t mind, really. I expect that my work on Corinthians will ruffle some feathers. But it’s not my doing. Paul started it by ruffling the feathers of the Corinthians. I’m just trying to help people cut through their denial and see what he said.
If you want a sample, I’ve been parsing out Arsy Varsy (or if you prefer: Reclaiming the Gospel in First Corinthians) in short articles found here: http://www.christianarticledirectory.org/myarticles/Phillip-A–Ross/333/Bible/56/pdate/asc/
Why not break through the title controversy and taste the real hubbub.
Phil
in the USA — Ohio
Oh, I almost forgot:
20% off through January 31, 2009: Must order through http://www.pilgrim-platform.org and use the discount code BNSGAHPJ
Phil
Phil: Ruffle away! Paul did do that a bit, didn’t he?