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.'"
"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."
New version: "Take a running jump, Holy Joes, humbugs!"
LOL
That Bible version really makes me laugh!
I understand that it is one of Islam's main criticism of Christianity - the way the Bible is translated, and the amount of versions that exist.
I have not come across this version, but I know there are some 'modern' versions around. I believe their intent is to bring God's story to modern people, especially the young. Some people are discouraged by heavy and old-fashioned wording.
I think the intention is to 'give people a flavour of the Bible' - not to replace the authorised versions.
'Holy Joes ...' (That'll be with me all day!)
Peace glo
Here I stand.
I can do no other.
May God help me.
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down •
and kneel before the Lord our Maker
[Psalm 95]
Why christians dont appreciate authenticity, why they have to follow the generation of that time?
Well that depends on what sort of Christian you are talking to. But in general the idea among many Protestant groups is that each and every person ought to be able to read the Bible in their own language and understand what it really means on their own. Which means it has to be translated into every possible language to reach as many people as possible. And in this case, as young people don't read much anyway, idiot-speak. No doubt there will be a version in Text for the much younger generation who can't spell.
This has a positive side - Protestants tend to be very literate as groups because reading the Bible is so important. And many ethnic groups were given alphabets for their languages by missionaries determined to teach people to read the Bible.
But in theory they are not changing the meaning, just making the words accessible.
Le coeur a ses raisons, que la raison ne connait pas. - Blaise Pascal
But in theory they are not changing the meaning, just making the words accessible.
But in practice, some meanings are changed in the process:
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."
Well that depends on what sort of Christian you are talking to. But in general the idea among many Protestant groups is that each and every person ought to be able to read the Bible in their own language and understand what it really means on their own. Which means it has to be translated into every possible language to reach as many people as possible. And in this case, as young people don't read much anyway, idiot-speak. No doubt there will be a version in Text for the much younger generation who can't spell.
This has a positive side - Protestants tend to be very literate as groups because reading the Bible is so important. And many ethnic groups were given alphabets for their languages by missionaries determined to teach people to read the Bible.
But in theory they are not changing the meaning, just making the words accessible.
Brilliant explanation. I wish I could have done it so well!
Hopefully this will make it clearer to other people here.
Peace glo
Here I stand.
I can do no other.
May God help me.
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down •
and kneel before the Lord our Maker
[Psalm 95]
But in practice, some meanings are changed in the process:
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."
A 'regular partner' is not necessarily a spouse.
I totally agree with you..Satan will use any means possible to distroy Gods words on how we should conduct ourselves in this life. It isn't the only Bible that gives a different message...small points people may think.
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
For instance
This as been distored why change the bird from a dove to a pigeon...everyone I should think knows a dove represents, peace, love and purity...a pigeon is known as a flying rat full of disese and gems..
Pigeon
noun
A person who is easily deceived or victimized: butt3, dupe, fool, gull,
This is just one example...every change in words will have a reason behind it..the changes are to mock God.
This example above has been purposely done to mock Jesus.
Interesting, Nicola.
Can you tell me which versions the two quotes are from?
How do you feel about the argument that to bring God's word to the people, it may need to be presented in a way that can be understood?
Children's Bibles, for example, give very simplified accounts of the original Bible stories - to enable children to understand. Is that wrong?
For Muslim brother and sisters:
How do you teach children the Qu'ran?
In it's original version? Or in simplified, age-appropriate ways?
Peace glo
Here I stand.
I can do no other.
May God help me.
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down •
and kneel before the Lord our Maker
[Psalm 95]
For Muslim brother and sisters:
How do you teach children the Qu'ran?
In it's original version? Or in simplified, age-appropriate ways?
Simple and age-appropriately, but not in ways bordering on revisionism. Then, when they are older, they are able to read and understand the Quran proper, owing to increased vocabulary and experience.
Interesting, Nicola.
Can you tell me which versions the two quotes are from?
How do you feel about the argument that to bring God's word to the people, it may need to be presented in a way that can be understood?
Children's Bibles, for example, give very simplified accounts of the original Bible stories - to enable children to understand. Is that wrong?
For Muslim brother and sisters:
How do you teach children the Qu'ran?
In it's original version? Or in simplified, age-appropriate ways?
the passage is taken from
Mar 1:10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.
Mar 1:11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
I can understand making a bible suitable for small Children and also for beginnings in Christianity who want to study Gods word..and there are plenty of good Bibles around for this kind of thing....that do not twist the meanings of Gods and mock him.
another example every Christian knows they should be married to be entering into a sexualy relationship with their wife/husband...this twisted bible...has done away with that idea..from what i've seen..so how can one get the true message of Christianity when one isn't given the truth of God.
Simple and age-appropriately, but not in ways bordering on revisionism. Then, when they are older, they are able to read and understand the Quran proper, owing to increased vocabulary and experience.
Thanks for your reply!
What do you mean by revisionism?
So, in that sense, changing the original Qu'ran to make it accessible to a particular group of people (in this case young children), is acceptible?
Peace glo
Here I stand.
I can do no other.
May God help me.
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down •
and kneel before the Lord our Maker
[Psalm 95]
So, in that sense, changing the original Qu'ran to make it accessible to a particular group of people (in this case young children), is acceptible?
No. The Qur'an is only in arabic. There are, however, translations of the meaning in various langauges. I find the modern english translations of the meaning easier to read than classical English.
You know, stuff like turning doves into pigeons, and spouses into 'regular partners'
So, in that sense, changing the original Qu'ran to make it accessible to a particular group of people (in this case young children), is acceptible?
It's not changing it you see. I'll see if I can find some stories about the Prophets, which are adapted for children. They're exactly the same as the counterparts in the Quran, without changing the meaning. Once one begins changing words so that readers have a 'practical' frame of reference, rather than using the existing frame of reference, one begins to change the meaning of the text itself.
It's like 'hey, some people find it hard to relate to Batman, you know this American millionaire avenging his parents' death by dressing like a flying rodent and all, so I'll change it so that he's an average European whose parents die of bowel and testicular cancer respectively, sending him on a journey of discovery culminating in the ultimate cure for cancer while dressed as a woman'
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ffended:. What a joke!
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