Posted on 06/24/2004 2:48:41 AM PDT by Robert Drobot
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
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.'"
"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."
Comment, sir?
Um...is it just me or does this seem like the real news services got spoofed by a satire again? That part where the new version refers to John the Baptist as "The Dipper", for instance. Not even liberal theologians pull that crap.
As Baldie pointed out in 16, the manuscripts we have are numerous and in agreement. IIRC, there were 25,000 New Testament manuscripts in the early 70s when Josh McDowell wrote "More than a Carpenter." If the manuscripts that the NT are drawn from are not reliable, neither is any of ancient history. There are only five manuscripts of Julius Caesar's autobiography, for instance (again, IIRC).
If they wanted to be more hip, they could have just switched to the NIV:
"Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband."
As my pastor says, "We may wonder what the world is coming to, but we actually do know. Jesus is returning."
From whence comes the derivative word, INheriticance...
Which is --- receiving from one or both of your parents a little muscle between your cheek and eye that just won't stop jumping....the dreaded INheritic
:>)
None to make, I'm not an Anglican. Perhaps this shows part of the reason why. :)
Regards, Ivan
Yes, and the best is yet to be!
I had a little bright light yesterday! Did you read it?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1159782/posts
I agree with you. This REALLY sounds like a bad joke here. If it's from World Net Daily, I'd approach it very suspiciously.
Whatever their many Flaws, both Martin Luther and John Calvin were hyper-traditionalists on the matter of Scripture.
No "Papal-approved Latin Vulgate" Translation for them; the Original Prots advocated a return to the Original Greek for all translations of Scripture.
This latest Abomination turns the Old Protestant appreciation of the Textus Receptus on its head.
The Original Protestants followed a very simple Rule when it came to Scripture:
Greek is the sacred tongue, and Greek is the Baptist's tongue; we may be beaten in our own version, sometimes — but in Greek, never! ~~ Rev. Charles Spurgeon, Reformed Baptist, "The Prince of Preachers"
Well put, OP. I particularly appreciated the Spurgeon quote.
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