[Personal Letterhead]
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49530
USA
20 February 2002
RE: Today's New International Version Bible.
Dear Valued Friends and Peers:
I am writing in regard
to the publication of the Today's New International Version Bible
(TNIV). I only recently was made aware of the controversy surrounding
the publication of this new version. I secured the free download from the
Zondervan website and made it a point to research it myself.
I would like to point
out a few issues. First, the circumstances surrounding the production of
this particular version. I first learned of this controversy from a Police
Chaplain friend of mine. I then read the statement by Dr. James Dobson of
Focus on the Family, and signed by notable others within the Christian
community, concerning the use of “gender-inclusive” language in
the translation of God's Word, the Bible. The use of this politically correct
buzzword, “gender-inclusive,” or “accurate,” or
“neutral,” foretold the foundation and context of the rest of the
debate.
It is clear that at
some point there was a consensus on this issue among these notable men. At
some point representatives of the International Bible Society (IBS) had reversed
themselves on this issue, then reversed themselves again. Regardless of the
finer points of the debate, at the most, this shows a casting off of
accountability by the IBS and Zondervan to the core Christian community.
At the least, it is unprofessional.
Second, the premise
for the production of this particular version and the reasonings why we even
need it at this time, in light of the current culture wars, taints this from
the start. The influence of the cultural Marxists, Post-modernist thinking,
militant feminism, and the proponents of the “new orthodoxy,” is
evident throughout the debate; the simple fact that we are even having this
debate over “gender” and gender neutral terms in Biblical text.
I would recommend the reader acquire the manuscripts, “Death of the
West” by Patrick Buchannan, “America's Thirty Years War”
by Balint Vazsonyi, or "Whatever Happened To America?”
by Jon Christian Ryter, in which those who would undermine the American nation
and Christianity’s influence in the nation through incrementalism and
gradualism, and especially gender politics, is brilliantly articulated and
exposed.
For the sake of time,
we’ll focus on the Zondervan TNIV “rah-rah” site for this
new version. Most of the evidence is obvious in the comments from TNIV supporters
Zondervan has chosen to post. PC terminology and superficial humanist thought
is littered throughout.
One individual states:
“This is a changing world we live in and the reasons given for updating
the language to bring more people to Christ and the Word makes perfect
sense.” The original translations of the Word of God have prevailed
through two thousand years of Church history and the accompanying world changes,
yet we need another translation, most which have been crafted only in recent
times? As if the exclusive work of the Holy Spirit can be “helped”
by tinkering with the Word of God? Give me a break.
One individual states:
“I have always felt awkward with references to "men" as if women
didn't exist or count.... This is the way a text should be
inclusive.” The writer, a mere man, has belied his personal and
subjective bias against the Word of God, betraying the cultural Marxist’s
PC influence in his heart, and now, through the TNIV Bible, will be able
to have a God created in his own image. As long as he doesn’t feel
“awkward.”
And one man even goes
so far to state: “I'm free!!!! I recently broke out of the KJV-onlyism
jail....” The inerrant and unfathomable Word of God, that truly
sets men free, depicted as a jail. How tragic.
The Bible says:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free,
there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
(Galatians 3:28)
This is all the
“inclusiveness” the Church needs. Toying with the Word of God to
make it more palatable to a generation so clearly under the influence of
cultural forces few understand is careless and criminal.
The IBS and Zondervan
have not gone far enough in conforming their contemporary re-evaluation of
the Mind of God. These types of transliterational gymnastics and positional
justifications are also evident on many of the “Christian”
pro-homosexual websites—a very destructive lifestyle. As American
“Christendom,” the moral compass of any society, becomes more
“tolerant” and “inclusive,” bullied, coerced, and intimidated
into silence by cultural Marxists, militants, and politically correct ideologues,
this is another issue that will demand inclusion. Why not address this now
in the new translation? There are many homosexual “Christian” scholars
available that seem to know what they are talking about, ready to advance
their own type of “inclusiveness” and correct the antiquated
translations on account of of the new “enlightenment.”
Unfortunately,
intellectualists and ministerial “Ph.D.’s” tell us how to
think, that is, they interpret the Bible as they wish instead of allowing
the Bible to interpret itself. Thus, we have intellectualists who testify
that Christ was not God, that women can be preachers, that sodomites can
be preachers of the Gospel and valid communicants of churches, etc. To them
truth is culturally determined instead of eternal.
Are Zondervan and the
IBS succumbing to political correctness/cultural pressure in deciding to
craft this version? Sure they are. That conclusion, in light of current social
mores, by those who are politically aware, is inescapable. The preface to
the NRSV explains exactly what led to this: It was a requirement from the
National Council of Churches, a notoriously liberal organization not
representative of the true Church, to eliminate “masculine-oriented
language,” to “mute the patriarchalism of the culture of the biblical
writers.”
And this is sanctioned
by the Lord and the Holy Spirit, this alteration of the Word of God? I think
not. It is the corruption of Western culture conforming the Church to its
standard, the “new orthodoxy,” instead of vice-versa.
Yet, a friend who is
an author and publishing industry insider chided me thus: “It should
not surprise anyone that genderless "translations" are now being considered
by the major Bible publishers who are now being threatened with the lack
of distribution into the book stores. At this time, there are three book
distributors that control 90% of all book distribution in the United States.
When pressure is applied on folks like Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, and every
other Christian publisher, they have a decision to make: give the distributors
what they want or find their own means into the chain stores which, through
their contract arrangements with these distributors, are forced to do what
the distributors tell them if they want inventory ...Compromise beats lack
of sales.”
It is unfortunate Zondervan
and the IBS, catering to a clientele under the influence of secular, temporal
social forces, contrary to Christianity and Biblical Truth and principles,
are bowing to market forces as well, instead of taking a stand on integrity
and principle, as guardians of the Word of God. This text is already being
deployed from some pulpits as “authorized.” It certainly is not.
Let’s examine this
further from a Biblical point of view. The Bible states: “In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1-2) The Bible,
in its entirety, claims to be the essence and personification of Jesus Christ
the Lord. Yet, the Bible also states: “For I am the LORD, I change
not....” (Malachi 3:6) and “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and
to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8) The Word does not
change.
Yet, the IBS and Zondervan
feel this particular version is justified? The Bible goes further:
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their
trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou
be found a liar” (Proverbs 35: 5-6) And clearly, in light of the
evidence and current social influences, these additions are unjustified and
fall under that condemnation.
Also, another grave
caution against those who would negligently alter the written, inerrant Word
of God is clearly articulated in the final book of the Bible: “For
I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,
If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues
that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words
of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book
of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written
in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)
The consequences to
the culpable may not be immediate, but they are certainly eternal.
The Bible says,
“If my people (another gender neutral phrase already in the original
translation), which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and
pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear
from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
(II Chronicles 7:14)
I’m sure the archaic
term “repent” is another transliteration liberal “scholars”
are desirous to change, yet the particulars involved in this foregoing conflict
need to do just that. The particulars involved are trifling with forces they
clearly don’t understand. Secular humanism, cultural Marxism, and
Post-modernist thought—outside influences—are evident throughout
the context of this debate. The controversy surrounding this demonstrates
that. If the particulars involved in this still insist on proceeding, it
is hopeful the Church will, “Voice our opinions at the Bible bookstores
and other retailers—with our pocketbooks,” as one friend stated
it, and leave it there.
Regardless, those in
the world who bear the burden of bearing the Sacred Trust will prevail in
the end, as two thousand years of Church history has proven.
My Regards,
Michael A.
Baker
Michael A. Baker
CC:
International Bible
Society Headquarters
1820 Jet Stream Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
Focus on the Family
Colorado Springs, CO 80995
Thomas Nelson
Publishers
Nelson Pl
Nashville, TN 37214
Traditional Values Coalition
~ California Office
100 S. Anaheim Boulevard, Suite
350
Anaheim, CA 92805
Council on Biblical
Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW)
2825 Lexington Road, Box 926
Louisville, KY 40280
Numerous Email
Recipients
The author is host of:
Salem The Soldier’s
Homepage ~
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http://www.salemthesoldier.us/
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