New Bible translation promotes fornication Archbishop of Canterbury

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | June 24, 2004

[take]

New Bible translation promotes fornication Archbishop of Canterbury praises version for 'extraordinary power'

A brand-new translation of the Bible – praised by Britain's archbishop of Canterbury, that nation’s senior Christian voice – flatly contradicts traditional core Christian beliefs on sex and morality.

Titled "Good as New," the new Bible is translated by former Baptist minister John Henson for the "One" organization, to produce what the group calls a "new, fresh and adventurous" translation of the Christian scriptures.

Archbishop Rowan Williams

The 104th archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams – leader of the Church of England – describes it is a book of "extraordinary power," but admitted many would be startled by its content.

"Instead of condemning fornicators, adulterers and 'abusers of themselves with mankind'," says Ruth Gledhill, the London Times religious affairs correspondent, "the new version of his first letter to Corinth has St. Paul advising Christians not to go without sex for too long in case they get 'frustrated.'"

SPONSORED LINKS The New York Times - as Low as $2.90 Get world-class reporting and coverage you can't find anywhere else of local, national and world news for as little as $2.90 a week with The New York Times. Get started now. www.nytimes.com/sb-subscription

Free Trial Issue: Stocks & Commodities Magazine Stay informed with market news, information, resources, and expert advice from one of the top traders' magazines. Receive your first year's subscription for the low introductory rate of $49.95. www.traders.com

"The new version, which Dr. Williams says he hopes will spread 'in epidemic profusion through religious and irreligious alike', turns St. Paul's strictures against fornication on their head," adds the Times.

The One organization that produced the new Bible translation is dedicated to "establish[ing] peace, justice, dignity and rights for all." It is also focused on "sustainable use of the earth's resources," challenging "oppression, injustice, exclusion and discrimination" as well as accepting "one another, valuing their diversity and experience."

According to Ekklesia, a London-based "theological think tank" that supports the "One" translation:

The translation is pioneering in its accessibility, and changes the original Greek and Hebrew nomenclature into modern nicknames. St. Peter becomes "Rocky," Mary Magdalene becomes "Maggie," Aaron becomes "Ron," Andronicus becomes "Andy" and Barabbas becomes "Barry." In keeping with the times, translator Henson deftly translates "demon possession" as "mental illness" and "Son of Man," the expression Jesus frequently used to describe himself, as "the Complete Person." In addition, parables are rendered as "riddles," baptize is to "dip" in water, salvation becomes "healing" or "completeness" and Heaven becomes "the world beyond time and space."

Here's how Williams, the top Anglican archbishop, describes the new Bible: "Instead of being taken into a specialized religious frame of reference – as happens even with the most conscientious of formal modern translations – and being given a gospel addressed to specialized concerns … we have here a vehicle for thinking and worshipping that is fully earthed, recognizably about our humanity."

In addition, notes Ekklesia, the archbishop praises Henson's translation for eliminating "the stale, the technical, the unconsciously exclusive words and policies" in other translations.

Here, according to the London Times, are a few sample passages:

Mark 1:4

Authorized version: "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."

New: "John, nicknamed 'The Dipper,' was 'The Voice.' He was in the desert, inviting people to be dipped, to show they were determined to change their ways and wanted to be forgiven."

Mark 1:10-11

Authorized version: "And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. And there came a voice from the heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

New: "As he was climbing up the bank again, the sun shone through a gap in the clouds. At the same time a pigeon flew down and perched on him. Jesus took this as a sign that God's spirit was with him. A voice from overhead was heard saying, 'That's my boy! You're doing fine!'"

Matthew 23:25

Authorized version: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"

New version: "Take a running jump, Holy Joes, humbugs!"

Matthew 26:69-70

Authorized version: "Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, 'Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.' But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest."

New: "Meanwhile Rocky was still sitting in the courtyard. A woman came up to him and said: 'Haven't I seen you with Jesus, the hero from Galilee?" Rocky shook his head and said: 'I don't know what the hell you're talking about!'"

1 Corinthians 7:1-2

KJV: "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband."

New: "Some of you think the best way to cope with sex is for men and women to keep right away from each other. That is more likely to lead to sexual offences. My advice is for everyone to have a regular partner."

1 Corinthians 7:8-7

KJV: "I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn."

New: "If you know you have strong needs, get yourself a partner. Better than being frustrated

[Cronos]

Jesus is tempted by thoughts popping into His head

Exactly, next they would say that He was crazy....

[longtermmemmory]

This must be the sexual perverse trying to rewrite the definitions in favor of the left. Why not just put in verbative the entire homosexual agenda, and the commie agenda just for fun?

Doublespeak on parade.

[Cronos]

There is also a new politically correct version of the Koran in which the Sura that says that infidels should be beheaded comes out this way: "Give the non-believers a close shave, and if your razor slips, pray that they will get their 72 virgins."

Dark Humor, but HILARIOUS!!! ;-P

[King Prout]

the council of Nicaea is no longer considered the last word by these jokers, i guess.

[King Prout]

too F'ed up for words.

[King Prout]

my brother, you will NOT believe this crap.

I can easily visualize the ecstasy undergone by a certain aged hippie of our mutual and much-disgusted acquaintance when he shall stumble upon this grotesquery.

[hellinahandcart]

Are there any Anglican/Episcopalian Freepers out there?

Yes. ahadams2 has been keeping the ping list for us, ever since the Robinson abomination was forced on us all.

And what are you doing about it?

Keeping a death watch, basically.

Is there any help you would need from us, your fellow Christians (because in the end that's all that matters) and fellow freepers?

I can only speak for myself, of course. But I could sure use some Xanax. ;D

[mhking]

I thought content from The Onion was no longer permitted on FR...

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[hellinahandcart]

- they remove the Book of Revelation and replace it with a book from the Apocrypha

Not even. My Bible includes the Apocrypha, and the "Gospel of Thomas" isn't in there.

I don't know why I am astonished that they took out Revelation. They were aiming for no male or female, no angels or devils, no sins and no judgment, so the ultimate judgment naturally had to go.

[plushaye]

So Gospel of Thomas didn't even make the Apocrypha cut. I guess the writer here needed a space to fill when he cut out Revelation and this "gospel" was convenient.

Your comments are so true about the writer's intent. This is a pagan book masquerading as scripture.

[johnb838]

I like "John the Dipper".

I keep having this image in my mind of John with a can of Skoal and a spit cup, spitting in between baptisms. Skoal, brother!

[johnb838]

I'm a piskie. I'm not giving them any more of my money, that's all I can think to do about it.

[hellinahandcart]

Why not "Jack the Dipper"? Couldn't be any more jarring.

[SedVictaCatoni]

I keep having this image in my mind of John with a can of Skoal and a spit cup, spitting in between baptisms. Skoal, brother!

"This stuff will make you a goddamned spiritual Tyrannosaurus, just like me."

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

But if they're going to start calling "partner" any sex partner, then they've gone too far in that verse, rendering the entire translation something I could never recommend because it's a poor translation from what the manuscripts actually say.

Actually this is a bit out of context. I don't think it means any sexual partner. Remember Paul was talking to peoples with various relegions and beliefs, many area's may not have had a formal marrage, and they would have to be married after the fact once converted.

[jimt]

I think the author fails to distinguish between a "translation" and a "fabrication".

[A. Pole]

Mark 1:10-11

Authorized version: "And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. And there came a voice from the heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

New: "As he was climbing up the bank again, the sun shone through a gap in the clouds. At the same time a pigeon flew down and perched on him. Jesus took this as a sign that God's spirit was with him. A voice from overhead was heard saying, 'That's my boy! You're doing fine!'"

Interesting.

[johnb838]

I think the entire point of this translation is so that when the Canadiens outlaw the bible as hate speech, they will do it translation by translation, with this one ultimately being the only one allowed. Rusty Humphries was predicting this very thing about three months ago. I've been waiting for it. Spirit of Antichrist indeed.

[BSunday]

Not So Hidden Agenda = Dishonest Scholars BUMP