Questionable Bible Versions
There’s lots of Bible Versions on the market. Some are questionable, but some are downright heretical.
TNIV: TRANSLATION TREASON
Article written by Terry Watkins, Th.D.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD,
that I will send a famine in the land,
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the LORD:
Amos 8:11
| In 1995, the NIV team (International Bible Society (IBS) and Committee on Bible Translations (CBT)) created a feminist “gender-inclusive” NIV, titled the New International Version Inclusive language edition [NIVI]. They found out very quickly and very loudly that America was not “prime-time ready” for a NIV feminist “gender inclusive” edition. So the NIVI was published solely in Great Britain by Hodder & Stoughton (Zondervan is the exclusive NIV publisher in the U.S.). The NIVI is so drenched in feminist changes and so corrupt, it cannot legally be sold in America. The NIVI is a “bound and gagged book” in America. See 2 Timothy 2:9, ( ‘. . .but the word of God is not bound“). According to Christianity Today, NIV copyright holder, International Bible Society (IBS) even requested that Hodder & Stoughton quit selling the embarrassing NIVI in liberal England.A little known “secret” that also appeared in 1996 was concerning Zondervan’s, the New International Readers Version [NIrV]. According to Zondervan, the NIrV was, “a thorough, scholarly simplification of the NIV, the NIrV was specifically designed to help young children [ages 2-10] and new readers understand the Bible for themselves.” The NIrV sold under such “innocent” titles as: The NIrV Children’s Bible: The Beginner’s Bible; NIrV Kid’s Study Bible; NIrV Kids’ Quest Study Bible; Adventure Bible for Young Readers; NIrV Read to Me Bible for Kids.
But the “dirty little secret” was the children’s NIrV was soaking in “gender inclusive” feminist language. There was nothing in the Preface, nor any hint anywhere that the innocent children’s NIrV was flooded with “gender inclusive” lingo. Get this “nugget” – Bruce Metzger, writes in The Bible in Translation: “In November 1996, Hodder and Stoughton issued in Great Britain the simplified NIV [the Children’s NIrV] under the title: New International Version Popular Edition, Inclusive Language and in March 1997 under the title New International Version: Inclusive Language Edition (NIVI)” (Bruce Metzger, The Bible in Translation, p. 172). According to Metzer, the “banned in the U.S.” feminist NIVI is the same Bible as the Childrens’ NIrV! After word leaked out about the NIrV’s “gender-bender” vocabulary, Zondervan quickly re-issued the NIrV (July 1998) minus the original feminist inclusive language. Not surprising, after researching the “gender-inclusive” issue, I’ve found many of the Children’s Bibles among the most corrupt and feminist influenced. But as they say, “the times, they are a’changing”.
This article is a lengthy look at Zondervan’s Today’s New International Version [TNIV]. This article began as a simple, short critique of the TNIV. But the more I researched. . . the more I read. . . the more alarmed and troubled I became. Even though, this is a lengthy article, it would be well worth your time to carefully and prayerfully read. This article goes far beyond the scope of the recent TNIV. You will see, without question, a deliberate, intentional, and completely inaccurate, mis-translation of the God-inspired, Greek text. As you witness the blatant disregard for the Greek text, please bear in mind: that according to their own words – the TNIV translators are the same group using the same translation methodology as used in the highly successful “original” New International Version [NIV]. This is quoted directly from the TNIV web site:
Not only, are the TNIV crew proud of their “gender inclusive” TNIV, again, according to their own words, the TNIV is more accurate and a better translation than the “original” NIV. Again, the following is taken form the TNIV web site:
As you read this disturbing review of the TNIV, be ever mindful – it is the same translation methodology, the same people, and the same beliefs, that produced the “original” NIV. And according to the people who translated and published both the NIV and TNIV – the feminist TNIV is more accurate and a better translation than the “original” NIV. That’s not my words, or thoughts – that’s their words – on their website, for all the world to read. So what does that testify about the “original” NIV? I’ll let you answer that after you’ve finished reading this article. The fact is, the “original” NIV was stuffed with “gender inclusive” language. But unlike, the TNIV, the “original” NIV was not advertised as a “gender-accurate” Bible. Gail Riplinger writes in The Language of the King James Bible:
Professor Mark Strauss, who is a proponent of the “gender-inclusive” Bibles, readily acknowledges the “gender inclusiveness” of the “original” NIV.
The fact is, the NIV translators [CBT] original intention was for the “gender-inclusive” NIVI to replace the “original” NIV. World magazine details the CBT’s intention:
Kenneth Barker, the CBT chairman and secretary clearly says in World magazine, the CBT’s desire is to have only a “gender-inclusive” NIV:
As you read this alarming review of the TNIV – just remember – the people that translated the NIV-NIrV-NIVI-TNIV – want to replace all the Bibles with a deliberate, mis-translated “gender-inclusive” Bible. And remember, their first “attempt” was an undisclosed “gender-inclusive” disaster [NIrV] aimed for your children. After they got “caught”, they quickly republished a semi “non-gender-inclusive” NIrV. THE “GENDER-INCLUSIVE” BIBLE FLOOD. . . It’s also worth mentioning, the TNIV is not the first “gender-inclusive” version. In fact, since 1985, nearly every version produced is a feminist-inspired, “gender-inclusive” version. Professor Strauss writes in Distorting Scripture:
All the following versions are “gender-inclusive” versions:
All of the above versions, to some extent:
All of the above “gender-inclusive” translation errors, plus others, will be examined in detail in this article. THE “GENDER-INCLUSIVE” TRANSLATION TREASON. . . Most of the “gender-inclusive” versions will scream “bloody murder” to even suggest there is any feminist influence, but make no mistake about it – it is the radical, feminist agenda that has pushed for the “gender –inclusive” language changes. The Preface of the TNIV admits, “cultural FORCES” are the reasoning behind the “gender-inclusive” changes, such as elimination of the masculine pronouns:
Now, what “cultural FORCE” is interested in the elimination of masculine nouns and pronouns? Only one. . . The radical, pro-abortion, feminist. World magazine states that the NIV-NIrV-NIVI-TNIV translators were pressured by women for the gender inclusive changes:
Gender-inclusive advocate and Professor of New Testament at Bethel Theological Seminary, Mark Strauss, traces the root of the gender-inclusive movement to the feminists.
After investigating many “gender inclusive” changes made by the NIV team, Regent College professor and author J.I. Packer, hit the “nail on the head”:
CBT translation member, Larry Walker, even admits in World magazine that the unisex language “. . .bothered me at first. . .”:
Why did it “bother him” very much? Could it be because. . . the NIV-TNIV-NIrV-NIVI translators knew they were deliberately and incorrectly perverting the clear, masculine, God-given, Greek text for a false, man-made, “gender-inclusive” neuter word? Most pre “gender-inclusive” versions, even the worst, attempted, sometimes poorly or incorrectly, but at least, they attempted to translate the Greek text. But these “gender-inclusive” versions have opened a new dark, deceitful, door. Their translation methodology is how to NOT translate the Greek text. Their mind set is, “Hmm. . . Now how can we get around this male chauvinist, masculine, word?” Notice how the TNIV translators word their “gender-inclusive” methods on the TNIV website:
The TNIV translators claim they can change the masculine Greek text because “. . . the meaning of the text was intended to include both men and women.” If the Lord God “intended” for the verse to read “they / them / their” or neutered, plural, gender – why didn’t God inspire the men that penned the Greek text to write “gender inclusive”? Hmm. . . ? If God didn’t “intend” what He said – then why in the world, didn’t He say what He “intended”? It sounds like the TNIV translators and publishers believe that God does not know what He’s doing. I guess, God Almighty, needs the NIV crew to come along and help Him “explain” what He “intended” to say. The TNIV translators and publishers obviously claim they possess some psychic ability to know what “. . . the meaning of the text was intended.” How do the TNIV translators know what the original writers “intended” – other than the words they penned? Are the TNIV translators omnipotent? Do they think they can “read the minds” of these men, who died thousands of years ago? The TNIV translators claim to know what these men [and God] “intended” – even when it disagrees with the words the men wrote? Men who were moved by the Holy Spirit of God? (2 Peter 1:21) Wow! That’s a pretty, nifty trick. The TNIV’s psychic “mind reading” abilities would even make the TV psychic Miss Cleo blush with embarrassment. By the way, these are the same psychics that translated the “original” NIV. And according to their words – the same psychic translation methodology. When you translate someone else’s work you don’t have the liberty to judge what they “intended” to say. You translate what they said! Can you imagine the uproar if the NIV-TNIV translators applied the same distorted psychic translation methods to Homer’s The Iliad, or Shakespeare’s Macbeth, or Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address? And yet, the NIV-TNIV translators and publishers without hesitation will pervert the words of God! And they admittedly confess, it’s no big deal. . . Kenneth Barker, secretary of the Committee on Bible Translations [CBT], the same group that translated the NIV, NIVI and TNIV, just flat-out says changing God’s Word, to a feminist “gender-inclusive” reading, is “no big deal”:
Get that. . . The fact that they’re changing the God-breathed words is “no big deal”. After all Barker says, “. . . it is not changing the sense of the passage“. Mr. Barker, when you change the words – you are changing the sense of the passage. But when you’ve been doing in for 30 years via the NIV, I guess it is no big deal. Did Jesus Christ say in Matthew 24:35:?
God forbid. . .Jesus Christ, clearly said His words, not the sense were inspired:
Who’s to “judge” what deliberate changes does and does not change the sense? — the radical, feminists?Jesus Christ clearly declared in Luke 4:4 “. . .every word. . ” was inspired and God given.
It’s interesting, the NIV, TNIV (and most new PER versions) leave out the “but by every word of God.” In Luke 4:4 Dr. Wayne Grudem, professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and president of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (www.cbmw.org) correctly diagnoses the danger of the NIVI and other Bible versions:
Editor’s Note: Much, much more could be documented about the TNIV translators methods and philosophies, but let’s take a look at the TNIV. P.S. As you’ll soon see. . . There’s more “tricks” in the TNIV hat than just the gender-inclusive changes. Because of the length of the article, we’ve broken it up into several sections. I would strongly encourage you to prayerfully and carefully read each section. |
So seven short years later, the NIV crew, along with Zondervan, are at it again. Come ‘hail or high water’ the NIV team is gonna dump a feminist NIV “gender inclusive” Bible on the U.S. And in March, 2002, the New Testament of the “gender inclusive” TNIV officially hit the streets of the good ol’ U.S.Psalms 138:2
the Refuel Bible (for guys)
Article Written by Terry Watkins, Th.D.
In July, 2003, Thomas Nelson released the Revolve Bible, a fashion-magazine-turned-Bible for teen girls. Although released in mid-year, the Revolve still was crowned the number one best-selling Bible of 2003! The hugely successful Revolve even sent the lack-luster New Century Version, (the Bible text of the Revolve), revolving from a mediocre #11 to a respectable #5 in the Bible version ratings.
The promise for a guy’s Bible-mag was soon heard. (A Bible-mag for post-teen women, titled Becoming is scheduled for July.)
Well guys, your Bible-mag is here. . .
Titled the Refuel Bible, it contains the worldly splash and dash of the Revolve, but with a guy’s appeal. The hip-hop cover blazes with a rockin’ electric Les Paul guitar. The “rock and roll” cover was designed by Anderson Thomas Design, who also does rockin’ covers for Faith Hill’s CDs, the Newsboys, and many other rockers. One reviewer describes the Refuel cover as, “The splashy cover should attract any young guy interested in girls, hot-dogging on skis, girls, basketball, pop music … and girls.”
<http://www.andythegeek.com/past/000015.html>
The cover of the Refuel Bible-mag bears the names of the various sections lurking throughout the Refuel, such as:
- Extras: Girls, Cash, and Cars
- Girls Spill it All!
- Radical Faith:
- How to Live out What you Believe
- Music Reviews
- 100 Practical Ways to Live Your Faith
- Today’s Hottest Songs
- The Core: Stuff you Need to Know About the Bible
Like much of the girl’s Revolve Biblemag, some of the counsel in the Refuel is mind-boggling. The Revolve was bad, but the guy’s Refuel is much worse. And I mean MUCH worse. If you are a Christian, buckle up and get prepared, some of the Refuel’s “shock and awe” will blow you away!
Like his “big sis”, the Refuel is not all bad. It contains some good, though soft-pedaled and watered-down, common-sense advice on various topics. But like the Revolve, it is clearly based on far-left, very-liberal, anti-conservative, anti-Bible-Believer, teachings. In fact, the Refuel includes the most blatant anti-Christian, Bible-Believer attacks I have ever read in a Christian publication. And I have read many. . .
Get comfortable, and sit down. . . You will not believe what you are about to read.
THE REFUEL AND GAMBLING
Gambling among teenagers and adolescents has exploded into raging proportions. The prevalence of the easy-anonymous-unchecked gambling landscape via the rise of lotteries, Internet gambling, video poker machines flooding convenience stores, pizza parlors and bowling alleys have fueled the current explosion of teenage gambling. David Robertson, former chairman of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, states, “Statistics prove that teen-age Internet gambling is the fastest growing addiction of the day, akin to drug and alcohol abuse in the 1930s. It’s pernicious, it’s evil, it’s certainly one that feeds on those who are the weakest members of society — and that’s the young and the poor.” <http://www.youngmoney.com/money_management/spending/020809_04>
According to Dr. Howard J. Shaffer, Director of the Harvard Medical School Center for Addiction Studies, “Today, there are more children experiencing adverse symptoms from gambling than from drugs…and the problem is growing.” <http://www.ncalg.org/library/working%20on%20these/factsheet.htm>
The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling, states, “Teenagers have a problem gambling rate of 10%-17%, a rate 2 to 3 times higher than the general population.” <http://www.campusblues.com/gambling.asp>
A 2002 regional survey by the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems (DCGP) found that more than 30% of all high school students gamble periodically. And the evidence indicates that gambling is a problem not only among older teens in high school, but among younger students as well. The study found that 43% of eighth-grade boys and 19% of eighth grade girls gamble.
<http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/7/222003e.asp>
Without question, it is our vulnerable young that the constricting coil of the hissing serpent of gambling is swallowing whole! A Louisiana study showed that adolescents are more than twice as likely as adults to be pathological gamblers, and more than four times as likely to be problem gamblers. <http://www.afa.net/gambling/articles.asp>
Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence of the destroyed lives from gambling, some people (believe it or not — even Christians) have promoted the serpent’s deception that gambling is just a harmless form of entertainment or fun.
The Rotten Fruits of Gambling
The Bible says in Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them”.
A survey of Massachusetts high school students found that one in 20 had already been arrested for a gambling-related offense; 10 percent experienced family problems due to gambling; and 8 percent had gotten in trouble at work or school because of gambling. (Howard J. Shaffer, “The Emergence of Youthful Addiction: The Prevalence of Underage Lottery Use and the Impact of Gambling,” Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling, January 13, 1994, p. 12)
A Louisiana State University study discovered that Louisiana youngsters in juvenile detention are roughly four times as likely to have a serious gambling problem as their peers. Two-thirds of the hard-core gamblers in detention admitted stealing specifically to finance their gambling. (James R. Westphal, “Adolescent Gambling Behavior,” Louisiana State University Medical Center—Shreveport, presented to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, Las Vegas, Nevada, November 11, 1998).
According to research by Delaware’s Council on Gambling Problems (DCGP), “An eighth grader that gambles is 50 percent more likely to drink alcohol, three times more likely to use marijuana or other illegal drugs, and three times more likely to get into trouble with the police, get involved with gang violence, or steal or shoplift.” <http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/7/222003e.asp>
In less than ten years after casinos were legalized in Atlantic City, the crime rate increased a shocking 258 percent! With the introduction of casinos, Gulfport and Biloxi Mississippi, also came a dramatic rise in crime in every category, with murder, rape, robbery and car theft at least doubling. In just three short years after casinos came to Deadwood, South Dakota — felony crimes increased by 40 percent, child abuse was up 42 percent, domestic violence and assaults rose 80 percent! In just three years!
<http://www.ncalg.org/library/working%20on%20these/factsheet.htm>
More than half of all problem gamblers will commit crimes to fuel their powerful addiction. Insurance-related crime among gamblers is estimated at over $1.3 billion a year! One of the most sickening cancers infesting gambling is domestic violence and child abuse. Since casinos came to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, domestic violence has increased a whopping 69 percent. And the most disgusting – over 37 percent of problem gamblers are child abuser!
<http://www.ncalg.org/library/working%20on%20these/factsheet.htm>
Revelation 6:8 says, “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. . .” One of the most frightening “fruits” of gambling is the high rate of suicide and destruction. According to researchers, “Compulsive gambling has the highest rate of suicide. There are usually three options if a compulsive gambler doesn’t abstain one day at a time and that is prison, insanity or death.” <http://www.youngmoney.com/money_management/spending/020809_04>
On May 6, 2002, over 220 prominent religion leaders issued an “open letter” to President Bush and Congress on the plague of gambling. The letter called gambling a “moral and cultural cancer” and urged President Bush to curb the devastation of gambling. They stated, “Perhaps no single statistic better reveals the depth of despair associated with gambling addiction than this: One in five of those who become addicted to gambling will attempt to take his or her own life.”
Clearly, the fruits of gambling smell with the vile stench of decadence, destruction and death.
The Word of God, repeatedly condemns the “get-rich-quick” snare of gambling. Just as the tragedies and destroyed lives from gambling testify, the Lord warns that those who commit this covetous sin have “pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:10
In Proverbs 28:22, the Lord has gambling’s number. While promising wealth and riches, it produces the fruit of poverty. Gambling is one of poverty’s greatest allies. Nothing is a greater and quicker producer of poverty than the enticing lure of gambling.
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Proverbs 28:22
Surely no sensible Christian would innocently label gambling as a “form of entertainment” or simply an “evening of fun”? And clearly, no responsible Christian leader would instruct Christian young people with such deceptive and destructive definitions? Surely not, would they?
Unfortunately, they would. And sadly the Refuel does. . .
In one of the sections titled “Extras”, the Refuel covers the topic: “How (Not )To Gamble Away Your Life’s Savings” (p. 150). Here is Refuel’s shameful and disgraceful advice to teenage boys regarding gambling.
“You’re turning 18 and you’re determined: Not even your parents can keep you out of the casino right down the road. Okay, some Christians see casual gambling as a form of entertainment. If that’s where you’re at, lower your odds of losing every penny in your piggy bank by setting a personal limit—the $10 or $20 or $50 you’re willing to toss on an evening of fun. And like Kenny Rogers sang, “You’ve got to know when to fold ‘em.” Get help fast when you see any of these warning signs of gambling addiction in you or a friend: failing to keep that spending limit, money problems, debt, secrecy, family and friends expressing concern, pre-occupation with gambling, increasing amounts of time and money spent gambling, failed attempts to quit or cut back, gambling with borrowed money, or gambling to win back loses.”(Refuel, p. 150, emphasis added)
How can anyone – especially a Christian, give such outrageous advice to impressionable young people on gambling? Do they really believe teenagers can gamble without serious consequences? The facts clearly and loudly show different. The statistics alarmingly report that, “. . .one in every seven teenagers who gamble will become addicted.” <http://www.bible.com/answers/agamblin.html>
It is amazing the Refuel quotes country music “Gambler”, Kenny Rogers for guidance and completely ignores the Word of God.
Churches, pastors, parents and Christian leaders have devoted hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars fervently fighting against legalized gambling from destroying their young and here is a mainstream youth Bible that encourages teen gambling by innocently calling it “entertainment” and “fun”. And many of these same Christian leaders will promote the Refuel!
THE REFUEL AND ALCOHOL
Another cancer literally eating the life from young people is alcohol. The deadly fact is — alcohol is the number one killer of teenagers! Approximately 10,000 young people between the ages of 16-24 are killed each year in alcohol related accidents. The life expectancy of every age group in America has increased – except one – our teenagers. And the reason is killer alcohol. Teenage drinking is one of America’s deadliest sins.
Killer alcohol kills 50 times more people than all the illegal drugs combined! Killer alcohol will kill between 240,000 to 360,000 of the current college student body. <http://www.gatordental.com/drugfree/alcohol.htm>
In 1997, one in three high school seniors reported having had at least five drinks in a row in the previous two weeks. One in four sophomores and one in 10 eighth-graders responded the same. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America reports that more than 50 percent of eighth graders and 8 out of every10 high school seniors admit that they have tried alcohol.
<http://teenagerstoday.com/resources/articles/drugfacts.htm>
The average age of the first forbidden taste of alcohol use is 12. And it is not uncommon to find 10 year old alcoholics.
The most surprising and shocking result of teenager drinking is the fast-path to serious alcoholism. According to studies, the average adult takes 10-30 years of drinking to develop alcoholism – but get this – teenagers can become hard-core alcoholics in a little as three to six months! <http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/pei/brochures/drug/html/teenagealcohol.cfm>
Young people who drink alcohol before age 15 are four times more likely to be an alcoholic than those who begin drinking at age 21. More than 43% of teenagers who began drinking before age 14 later became alcoholics. <MediaScope, Teenagers and Alcohol, http://www.mediascope.org/pubs/ibriefs/ta.htm>
And there are over three million children ages 14 to 17 who are problem drinkers!
Alcohol quickly leads teens down the road to faster and farther sin.
According to Attorney General Mike Fisher of Pennsylvania, “The use of alcohol suppresses inhibitions and judgments, permitting young people to cross the line of sexual involvement at younger and younger ages. Forty-seven percent of teenagers surveyed in 1982 were intoxicated the first time they engaged in sexual intercourse”.
<http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/pei/brochures/drug/html/teenagealcohol.cfm>
Alcohol use is also implicated in two-thirds of sexual assault and acquaintance or “date” rape cases among teens and college students. A survey of high school students found that 18% of females and 39% of males say it is acceptable for a boy to force sex on a girl if she is stoned or drunk.
<MediaScope, Teenagers and Alcohol, http://www.mediascope.org/pubs/ibriefs/ta.htm>
Even the Refuel Bible-mag states on page 91, “Half of all teens say they are concerned they might go further sexually than they had planned to because they were drinking or using drugs.” (Kaiser Family Foundation and MTV). (Refuel, p. 91)
The Word of God provides a perfect description of alcohol in Proverbs 23:29-35: “Who hath WOE? Who hath SORROW? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it BITETH LIKE A SERPENT, AND STINGETH LIKE AN ADDER. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. ”
Notice the Lord says, “. . . at last it biteth like A SERPENT.” Do you know what a serpent’s bite is? It is a deadly poison! Did you know that alcohol is a deadly poison? Every major organ in your body is poisoned by alcohol. According to The Birmingham News (Nov. 19, 1990), “Scientific data show alcohol is the most physically deteriorating drug there is. It causes more organic damage than any other drug. . .”
Why is it when people get drunk, they have a tendency to vomit? Because your stomach knows a deadly poison when it comes down. No wonder the bartender says, “Name your poison”. When a man is drunk, he is intoxicated. Do you know what toxic is? Webster’s Dictionary defines toxic as: poisonous. A person drinking alcohol is literally intoxicating or poisoning themselves!
The Bible makes a clear distinction between fermented liquor and new wine or grape juice. Speaking of fermented liquor, Proverbs 23 says, “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red(speaking of fermentation), when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright (speaking of the bubbling and carbonation). At the last it BITETH like a serpent, and STINGETH like an adder.” The Bible says do not even LOOK AT IT, much less drink it!
A description of new wine is found in Isaiah 65:8, “as the NEW WINE is found IN THE CLUSTER.” Not in a bottle. You can not get fermented alcohol from a CLUSTER! Fermented alcohol is placed in a bottle, with yeast and allowed to decay and ferment. Genesis 40:11 gives a clear picture of new wine, “I took grapes and pressed them in Pharaoh’s cup.”
People say, “Jesus drank wine at the Last Supper with the apostles”. The fact is, In Matthew, Mark and Luke where the account of the Last Supper is found, the word “wine” is never even mentioned. The Bible very carefully says they drank – “fruit of the vine”.
What about when Jesus turned the water into wine at the marriage in Cana. If Jesus Christ turned water into fermented alcohol, he directly disobeyed Habakkuk 2:15, “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also . . .” And friend, if Jesus Christ disobeyed Habakkuk – He was a sinner! The Bible makes it very clear in 1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and other verses – that Jesus Christ was without sin!
Do you believe the Lord Jesus Christ was deceived? The Lord says in Proverbs 20:1, whosoever that drinks wine or strong drink is “deceived”.
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Proverbs 20:1
God has placed a very strong warning on alcohol in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Be not deceived: NO DRUNKARDS, . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
Without a doubt – the Word of God condemns killer alcohol – from the casual drink to the drunkard.
If there ever was a battle cry for Christians and the church today it is teenage drinking. Like the prophet Isaiah says, we should, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, . . .” (Isaiah 58:1).
With the terror of teenage drinking literally slaughtering our young people, I could not believe the “expert” counsel the Refuel gives Christian teenagers. With the clear and serious warning the Lord places on alcohol the counsel of the Refuel is literally beyond belief!
In one section of the Refuel, called “Experts Answer Your Questions” is the following:
Q: How much beer can I drink before it’s a sin.
A: There’s no easy answer. It’s hard to make a case that the Bible forbids all drinking; after all, even Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding party. But it’s clear that getting drunk is another story. So is underage drinking. If you never start, you’ll never have to stop. (Refuel, p. 129, emphasis added)
Can you believe that? That is throwing fuel (or in this case Refuel) on the raging fire of teenage killer alcohol! Do you really want these “experts” teaching your children?
In another section of the Refuel called “Issues”, the subject is “Partying”. Notice again, they do not condemn drinking.
It’s Friday night and you’re glad to get an invite to a party. Problem is, you know that most people present will be sloshing beers. What do you do? Drinking might feel cool. It might calm your social jitters. It might make you forget about life’s most hideous problems. But for now, drinking is illegal. And drinking too much can undo your life. Ephesians 5:18 says, “Do not be drunk with wine, which will ruin you.” (Refuel, p. 138 emphasis added)
What do you do? The correct answer is: if you know “people present will be sloshing beers” – you do not go! A Christian has NO business in such an environment. You can be sure, if they are “sloshing beers”, they are not sitting around praying and singing “Amazing Grace”! Proverbs 23 describes the sinful fruits of alcohol, “. . . Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.. . .” Where alcohol is – sin does much more abound. Young person, do not believe the Refuel – stay away from such! Stay away! Take the Lord’s wise advice in Proverbs 1:10, “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” If you get around alcohol or fire-water you will get burned! The Bible says in Proverbs 6:27, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?”
Notice also the Refuel’s condemnation of drinking “too much”. Not drinking, but drinking “too much”. Friend, one drink is way too much. Parents and youth workers, do you want theRefuel instructing your children?
May we pause and ask the great evangelist and alcohol-fighter, Billy Sunday his opinion of moderate, not too much, Christian drinkers, such as the Refuel “experts”? Brother Billy says, they are, “dirty, low-down, whiskey-soaked, beer-guzzling, bull-necked, foul-mouthed, hypocrites”. <http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=200&category=people>
Thank you, Brother Billy for those wonderful and kind words of truth.
THE REFUEL’S “DO’S & DON’TS”
Another section of the Refuel is “Do’s & Don’ts”. They go from the silly to the crude.
Some of the silly:
- Don’t blow your nose without a Kleenex (p. 15)
- Don’t give swirlies (p. 55)
Note: A “Swirlie” is when someone is held upside down over a toilet, their head shoved into the toilet, and then flushed. The dirtier the toilet water – the better.
- Don’t run with scissors. (p. 15)
- Don’t leave the seat down—or the lid up when you’re done. (p. 55)
- Don’t play with matches (p. 164)
- Don’t shake soda cans. (p. 164)
It’s ironic the Refuel flippantly warns against such trivial nonsense as “don’t shake soda cans”, or “don’t blow your nose without a Kleenex”, but as we previously read, they down-play such serious sins as gambling and drinking. And may I remind you, the Refuel is published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, one of the largest Christian publishers on the planet!. God help us.
Some of the crude from the “Do’s and Don’t”:
- Don’t flip the bird. (p. 66)
The “bird” is the obscene gesture by raising the middle finger which means “go to hell” or worse.
- Don’t pick your nose in public. (p. 88)
- Don’t ever pick your friends nose. (p. 88)
- Don’t grope. (p. 96)
Grope is sexually fondling another person.
- Don’t look down shirts or up skirts. (p. 111)
The Refuel’s “Do’s and Don’ts” is slightly different from the Lord’s “Ten Commandments”. Which one do you think is right?
THE REFUEL’S DOCTRINAL CHAOS AND CONFUSION
Littered throughout the Refuel is doctrinal confusion and chaos.
The Refuel’s ridiculous exposition of John 14:2-4 is certainly worth a laugh. The Refuel steals your mansion the Lord Jesus promised in John 14:2 and gives you a “room”. The Refuelbelieves God the Father is running a “boarding house”. Pitiful. . .
John 14:2-4
“This is one of the most awesome promises in all of scripture. Jesus has gone to prepare our home-our forever home. A room in our Fathers house waits for each of us. . . ” (Refuel, p 163)
No thank you, I’ll stick with my mansion and the King James Bible:
In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2
I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory,
And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea.
About the angels singing and the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory.
Oh victory in Jesus, my Saviour for ever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood.
He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood.
— Victory in Jesus, Eugene M. Bartlett, 1885-1941
Oh, by the way, don’t count on those “streets of gold” either. The “experts” in the Refuel says under the topic “Heaven” in Bible Basics, they are not real — just “major symbols”.
“Heaven is where God’s throne is. The Bible describes heaven with major symbols like streets of gold and gates of rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. . .” (Refuel, p. 97)
The Refuel is earnestly attempting to rob all the “glitter, glory, and gold” from God’s heaven. But on the other hand; gambling is “entertainment” and “fun” (Refuel, p. 150). And go ahead and drink a beer or two. (Refuel, p. 129)
In a section titled “Ways to Walk the Walk”, the Refuel blatantly teaches the heresy of baptismal regeneration while removing the last half of the verse!
Ways to Walk the Walk
Mark 16:16
Word: The one who believes and is baptized will be saved.
Walk it: Share your faith with someone who may not know Jesus. (Refuel, p. 74)
Notice in their “Ways to Walk the Walk”, the Refuel conveniently leaves out the last half of Mark 16:16, “but he that believeth not shall be damned”.
It is also worth mentioning the New Century Version (the Bible text of the Revolve and Refuel) is the translation work of the Church of Christ affiliated World Bible Translation Center (WBTC) in Ft. Worth, Texas. The cornerstone of the Church of Christ is baptismal regeneration (among other heresies) and the NCV is intertwined with Church of Christ false doctrines.
In the section “Experts Answer Your Questions”, the Refuel irreverently refers to God as the “Big Guy upstairs”. In the same “expert question”, they give a very confusing and baffling answer to a simple and serious question. This is a typical trivial answer of the Refuel.
Experts Answer Your Questions.
Q: My neighbor has a different religion, and he says that he’s glad I’m a Christian—but that people of all religions worship the same God. Is he right?
A: It’s true that there’s only one God, and it’s a popular idea that all religious people run to the same Big Guy upstairs. But check out what the gods in other religions say,and you see that their personalities are completely different from the God of the Bible. All religions don’t serve the same God. (Refuel, p. 83)
The Word of God is very clear. A Christian is to be different from the world. He is to be separated (2 Cor. 6:17), peculiar (1 Peter 2:9) hated (Matt. 10:22) reviled (Matt. 5:11) and persecuted (2 Tim. 3:12). Like their Lord, a Bible Believing, Christian will always be hated and persecuted by this world.
But the Refuel has another idea. . . Being a Christian does not make you “strange” but the “real life of the party”. Under the section “Ways to Walk With God” under Acts 2:15, theRefuel reads:
“Remind yourself today that being a Christian doesn’t make you strange. It makes you a better person, a deeper friend, and the real life of the party.” (Refuel, p. 179)
Yes, the apostles were the “real life of the party”. Peter was crucified upside down, and the Apostle Paul was beheaded. Yes, the early Christians were the real “life of the party” as thousands were thrown to the lion’s den. You want a real party? Read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. Hebrews 11:36-38 gives some more “life of the party” Christians:
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Hebrews 11:36-38
The “real life of the party”? I wonder what party the Refuel staff goes to?
And for you guys desiring to be a “Godly Guy”, the Refuel has the prescription. This is a sure thing. On page 278, the Refuel lists their spiritually dynamic and exciting “Random Things to Know About Being a Godly Guy”. Are you guys ready? Got your pen out? You definitely will want to write these “nuggets” down!
Here they are:
Random Things to Know About Being a Godly Guy
1. They don’t hit girls.
2. They don’t chew with their mouth open.
3. They don’t belch.
4. They aren’t arrogant.
5. They don’t backstab.
6. They know their bodies are temples of God.
7. They respect others.
8. They don’t ditch their families.
9. They don’t talk smut with their dates.
10. They are loyal friends.
(Refuel, p. 278)
Boy, now that came right out the Pauline epistles. Especially that “They don’t belch” godly spiritual revelation.
Again, this is the typical, silly “refuse” found littering the Refuel. What is really pitiful, these people are not kidding! That is honestly their description of a “Godly Guy”! No prayer, No Bible. No soulwinning. No holiness. No persecution. No separation. Nothing. . . “Nuttin Honey”!
Is it possible that a Christian publication could be more spiritually perverted? Is it possible?
Yes it is. The worse is yet to come. . .
THE REFUEL’S MUSIC REVIEWS
Another feature of the Refuel is “Music Reviews”. Of course, the music they review is all Christian rock. And naturally (on par with the rest of the Refuel), they recommend some of the most rebellious. We could easily dedicate several pages on the complete disgust of their Christian music recommendations. Due to lack of time, we will just examine a few.
On page 55, The Refuel recommends Christian rocker Jaci Velasquez.
Jaci Velasquez’s starring role in the movie Chasing Papi is a sickening first for a mainstream Christian. Chasing Papi is a sensual, heavily sexually saturated movie about three sexy women (Jaci is one) involved with the same man named Papi. The movie has a heavy dose of cleavage, skimpy outfits, jiggle and bare flesh. Chicago Sun-Times, famed movie critic, Roger Ebert describes Chasing Papi, as a “. . .feature-length jiggle show with Charlie’s Angels transformed into Latina bimbos. . .” Ebert compares Chasing Papi to the nearly-nude magazine Maxim (Walmart removed Maxim for it’s flesh and filth), Papi, “. . would make your average Maxim reader feel right at home.” One scene in Chasing Papi has the three women (including Jaci) hiding in Papi’s bedroom wearing very (very, very) skimpy red lingerie. When Papi appears they all lusciously pop-out. Ebert says the scene looks like “. . . a fashion show by Victoria’s Secret“. Another movie reviewer says Chasing Papi is “. . . as lubricious as a centerfold.” (Lubricious means sexual arousal or lustful)
As if the blatant sexual sins were not enough open rebellion against the Lord, Chasi Papi also contains the God forbidden occult. The real-life, world-renown, astrologer and occultist Walter Mercado appears in Chasing Papi to provide the ladies (including Jaci) with occultic, Satanic readings.
Jaci, who is also known for her sexually provocative and skimpy outfits, tells CCM, “. . .I always get letters saying, ‘You dress too sexy. I was offended; I’m never taking my kid to your show again.’”
<http://www.ccmcom.com/features/fullstory_cont2.asp?Id=2274>
Is Jaci Velasquez someone to recommend to Christian young men? Believe me, Christian teenage boys have enough battles curbing their hormones in today’s sex-crazed world without sexually dressed Jaci enticing them.
The Refuel recommends the group Jars of Clay (p. 340):
The Birmingham Post-Herald (Aug. 31, 1996, p.2A) writes about a CCM Jars of Clay concert, “You’ve got to give Jars of Clay credit for a wicked sense of humor. Why else would they do a langorous, offbeat treatment of Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Crazy Train?’ . . . the former lead singer of Black Sabbath and a man noted for his interest in the occult.” Jars of Clay also does Rod Stewart’s very lustful, “If You Think I’m Sexy” in their concerts. Some of the cleaner lyrics: “If you want my body / And you think I’m sexy / Come on sugar let me know”. And those are the lyrics that are clean enough to print.
Probably the most spiritually dangerous group in Christian music is P.O.D. Under “Random Christian CDs Worth Owning” (p. 112), the Refuel has P.O.D.’s Satellite first on the list. In theRefuel’s “Random Psyche-Up Songs” (p. 105), P.O.D.’s song “Alive” is included. According to P.O.D., “Alive” is about a boy-girl relationship, which the “Alive” video clearly shows.
Sporting heavily tattooed and pierced bodies, the group P.O.D., has destroyed any remaining fragments of Bible separation and convictions.
Despite the Lord’s clear warning against profanity such as Colossians 3:8, “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth“, P.O.D. is frequently quoted in rock magazines openly using profanity; “f—-ing” (Guitar World, Nov. 2001, p. 54); “D—n it!” (Drum!, Sept.-Oct. 2001, p. 86); “p—s us off” (Drum!, Sept.-Oct. 2001, p. 87) “d—n ” (Revolver, Nov/Dec 2001, p.63) “p—sed off” (AP, Nov. 2001, p. 59) “half a-sed” (Circus, July 2002 p. 22). And there are many others.
In Circus magazine, Traa of P.O.D says, “Of course we got the same view on life as most people out there – it’s too short and most of the time it’s quite a shi—y business.” (Circus, July 2002, p.22) What a glowing testimony for a supposedly Christian “life. . . is a shi—y business”! Where do the words of the Lord Jesus, in John 10:10, “. . . I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” fit into P.O.D.’s “view on life”?
Fitting right in with the Refuel’s, “drinking is ok” advice, Traa of P.O.D., proudly tells Circus magazine P.O.D. likes to party and “drink beer”.
“Their life is far from boring and everybody who thinks they’re just Bible thumpers without being able to enjoy their lives is wrong. The guys from P.O.D. do know how to party and Traa readily admits that he does like his beer – just like the rest of the band.
‘Of course we drink beer and we party. You don’t believe how often we get that question. People seem to have the misconception that we spend all our time on our knees praying, but I can assure you, we don’t. If there’s a party, we party!’” (Circus, July 2002, p. 22)
In Revolver magazine, Sonny, of P.O.D. takes a swipe at the “blessed hope” of the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus: “People come up and say to me, ‘What do you think of the Book of Revelations and the prophecies about the Second Coming of Christ?’ And it’s like, ‘You know what, dude? That’s not my normal, everyday topic of conversation,” (Revolver, Mar/Apr 2002, p. 64)
P.O.D.’s perverted brand of Christianity is a mix of Rastafarianism and liberal Christianity. Rastafarianism is a satanic religion that began in Jamaica in the 1930’s that mixes Christianity, Hinduism, New Age, Mysticism, Racism and Voodoo. One of the signs of a Rasta is the dreadlocks hair style, the hair style of P.O.D. In their concerts P.O.D. hung a huge picture of a “Rasta-dreadlocked-Jesus” in the background. The Rasta god is “Jah”. P.O.D.’s “The Fundamental Elements of Southtown” does not contain the wonder name of Jesus Christ, but the Rasta god “Jah” occurs 10 times. Spin magazine says P.O.D., “Wuv and the band have structured their lives around a spiritual belief system that cross-fades Christianity, Rastarianism and Judaism.” (Spin, October 2001, p. 88) Guitar World writes, “A lot of the spirituality you guys project seems more akin to Rasta than mainstream Christianity“. (Guitar World, Nov. 2001, p. 104)
P.O.D. proudly appears on the Howard Stern show, tours with many blasphemous rockers, appears in the blasphemous move “Little Nicky”, and other blatant anti-Christian environments. In fact, the only issue that P.O.D. viciously attacks is Bible Believing Christians! Sonny of P.O.D. says, “We don’t fit in with the conservative values of Christian America.” He goes on to say, “I don’t even like saying I’m a Christian sometimes because it leaves such a bad taste in people’s mouths.” (Spin Mag, Ocotober 2001, p. 88) Marcos of P.O.D. blatantly says, “To tell the truth, though, I don’t even like the term Christian. . . ”
(Guitar Legends, No. 37, p.28) And this is one of Refuel’s recommendations!
Another Refuel “Music Reviews” recommendations is the group Newsboys (p. 29):
Jody Davis of the Newsboys, says of their album Love Liberty Disco, “Back in the 70’s when disco originated, the people who were into that would go to these clubslooking for love and acceptance. That’s something we have in the Church. This idea runs through the whole album.” (Release, April/May 2000, p. 24)
Discos were homosexual hell-holes of filth and perversion. Read how secular, pro-rock, writers describe “discos”: Disco music is a “call for gays to come out of the closet.” (Newsweek, April 2, 1979 p. 63); “For the heyday of disco was also the heyday of recklessness in the gay male life-style. . . it cannot be denied that many gay men saw disco as the theme music of their collective orgy…” (Hole in our Soul, p.281) “A 1980 handbook for would-be disco proprietors, describes discos as a pleasure palace where the public can ‘abandon themselves to the tidal wave of raw animal emotions that engulfs them'” (Ibid, p.281)
And Davis of the Newsboys likens the homosexual disco to the church! He claims the disco were places of “love and acceptance”. Is it any wonder Christian mainstream music is in such a state of spiritual perversion and blindness?
The Refuel’s silence. . .
It is amazing in over 384 pages the Refuel never mentions the sin of homosexuality. With the deadly epidemic of AIDS, the battle for homosexual marriage and the explosion of teenage homosexuality – how could the Refuel staff deliberately ignore the destructive sin of homosexuality.
Books such as Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy’s Roommate, promoting homosexuality, are flooding our elementary schools. And according to The Washington Post, bisexuality and homosexuality, have become the “in” thing among our public schools. Teenage homosexuality has increased so much that New York City now has a high school exclusively for homosexuals! And more are coming. Its principal proudly predicts, “This school will be a model for the country, and possibly for the world.” <http://www.nationalcenter.org/P21NVMassieSchool903.html>
The Lord gives some very serious judgements against homosexuality. In Genesis 13:13, the Bible says, “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” They were not just “wicked and sinners” but EXCEEDINLY. And in Romans 1 the sin of homosexuality is so repulsive to the Lord, the Bible says “. . .God gave them up unto vile affections:. . .” (1:26) and “. . . God gave them over to a reprobate mind,. . .” (1:28) And because of the vile sin of homosexuality, God completely destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with the judgement of fire and brimstone. With the media and politicians “love-affair” with homosexuality and the eruption of teenage homosexuals how can a Christian youth Bible publication completely close their eyes to homosexuality?
On page 361 of the Refuel, they provide the following statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Approximately half of all new HIV infections occur in people under age 24.” Yet in the same CDC statistics they conveniently ignore the first and most important demographic of AIDS, “CDC estimates that approximately 60 percent of men were infected through homosexual sex.” <http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/aidsstat.htm> Why did they skip that important statistic? Why did the Refuel side step the sin of homosexuality? They cover those awful sins like “littering” (p. 210) but the widespread sin of teenage homosexuality is completely ignored That is no accident. . .
Here is the Refuel’s strong rebuke of littering!
Q: I’m disgusted when I see Christians littering. Don’t they care about the environment?
A: There’s not a variety of stupidity Christians haven’t displayed. But don’t assume all Christians are like that. Many believers realize God made the planet, and they do at least as well as their neighbors in reducing, reusing, and recycling. Help us do better. (Refuel, 210)
Under the Refuel’s “Ask the Experts”, they prohibit preaching against a specific sin (unless it is littering!).
Q: Are some sins worse than others?
A: some sins are totally obvious—everyone can see them. Some sins have really ugly consequences—bad results that reach far and wide. But in another sense, all sins are equally bad. Each sin breaks God’s law and steps outside his plan for us. So we can’t shake our fingers at sins “worse” than our own. We’re all guilty. (Refuel, 94)
Amazing. . . But the worse is yet to come.
THE REFUEL & SOCIAL ACTIVISM
To provide a crystal clear picture of the left-wing, socialist, agenda of the Refuel under their section titled “Issues”, they have a full-page spread on the topic, “Social Activism”. In the following excerpt notice the conviction and fiery zeal they preach the “socialist” gospel:
“How much does it matter you’re socially involved? How big should it be in your life? Well, there are over 2,300 verses in Scripture that command us to take care of the poor, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked. So look for a way to live that out day to day. Get on www.volunteermatch.org today and see what opportunities are available in your neighborhood. . .”
Here is what is REALLY amazing! They have the same “Social Activism” sermon TWICE in the Refuel! Yes. The same identical sermon is found TWICE, once on page 192 and again on page 270!
Both are full-page spreads! That clearly shows the heart, mind and soul of the Refuel.
| THE SOCIAL ACTIVISM MESSAGE “REPEATED” | |
 The first time – Page 192 |
 The second time – Page 270 |
What was the “great commission” the Lord Jesus Christ gave His followers? Did He say, “Go ye therefore, and take care of the poor, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked. . .”?
Of course, not. In Matthew 28:19-20, the Lord Jesus commissions His apostles:
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20
The Refuel is preaching the perverted Marxist, social gospel. Much of the Refuel is dedicated to the left-wing, social gospel. That is not to say a Christian should not care for the poor, etc. But the most important “food” you could EVER give to anyone is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus clearly says in John 6:27, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, . . . ”
Newsweek magazine had an article by liberal columnist Anna Quindlen which echoed the same liberal, left-wing, social-activism, agenda of the Refuel. The following is excerpts from Quindlen’s article. Notice the same social gospel as the Refuel.
“All that made perfect sense to me because I had long ago concluded that I had become a liberal largely through religion. Loving your neighbor as yourself, giving your cloak to the man who had none, blessed are the peacemakers: taken together, all of it seemed a clarion call to social justice and the obligation of individuals and institutions to help those who needed help. Jesus was the first radical rabble-rouser I’d ever read about in school, and the best.” (Newsweek, March 8, 2004)
What is really eye-opening is the title of the article – “At the Left Hand of God”. Did Quindlen and the social activists ever read what is at the “left hand of God” ?
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 25:41
In fact, Satanist throughout history are known to follow the “left-hand path”. The book, Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult defines the “left-hand path”:
Left-hand Path: (occult). Term used in occult circles synonymous with evil. In the Bible, the goats (wicked) go to the left hand of God to be separated for judgment, while the sheep (righteous) go to the right to be saved. (Mather, George A. and Larry A. Nichols, Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, p. 175)
In other words, avoid the left-wing, Marxist, social activists like a pig bull dog with AIDS!
In the Refuel’s “10 Random Causes Worth Fighting For”, you can again see the social gospel come glaring through:
1. The Rights of the Unborn
2. Food for the Hungary
3. A Bible for everyone that wants one.
4. Universal literacy
5. Good Schools in the City
6. Premarital Abstinence
7. Racial Equality
8. Help for the Homeless
9. Women’s Rights in Oppressive Nations
10. Freedom of Worship
(Refuel, p 126)
Nowhere in their “10 Random Causes Worth Fighting For” do you find the Glorious Gospel, Souls, the Truth, the Lord Jesus or any real Bible battles. Except for numbers 1, 3, and 6 the list is the foundation of the liberal, left-wing, United Nations agenda.
THE REVOLVE’S “FEMINIST CORRECTION”
Another eye-opening testimony to the mindset of the Refuel and Revolve staff is a “correction” that occurred in the Revolve Bible-mag.
On page 13 of the Revolve, they answered a question with the following advice: “God made guys to be the leaders. That means that they lead in relationships” (Revolve, p. 13) Of course, the feminist threw a femmie frenzy. And guess what? Bowing to the feminist agenda, Thomas Nelson removed it in later editions!
Before the change:
Q: Hey, my question is how do you tell a friend that’s your crush that you’re into him without ruing your friendship.
A: You don’t. Sorry. You just don’t tell him without it ruining your friendship. God made guys to be the leaders. That means that they lead in relationships. They tellyou they like you. It is just an all around bad idea for girls to take the guys’ responsibility.
(Revolve, p. 13)
After the feminist change:
Q: Hey, my question is how do you tell a friend that’s your crush that you’re into him without ruing your friendship.
A: Telling a guy friend that he is your crush is risky. You could end a great friendship. If you really dig him, just enjoy being with him. If he feels the same about you, and it is meant to be, it will happen in time. Crushes come and go; friendships can last a lifetime.
(Revolve, p. 13)
I saved the worst for last.
If you think it has been bad thus far – read the next bomb from the Refuel!
THE REAL ONES WHO ARE “RUINING IT”
Let’s review a few of the Refuel’s “seal of approval”: :
They approve skimpy dressing rockers like Jaci Velasquez.
They approve false religion [Rastafarianism] promoters such as P.O.D.
They ignore the outbreak of teenage homosexuality
They approve moderate drinking.
They approve moderate teenage gambling.
They approve and preach social activism.
They approve heresy such as baptismal regeneration.
What are they against?
Who is it that the Refuel staff says is “. . .. ruining it for the rest of us”?
Believe it or not. . . Bible Believing Christians and the Lord Jesus Christ!
In one of the sections titled “Radical Faith” under the scripture 1 Corinthians 4:10, contains the following:
“Like everybody else, Christians can sometimes act dumb. They come in all shapes and sizes—Bible thumpers, Scripture-screamers, unforgivers, grace-stealers-the kind of people you wouldn’t want to be in a group with because they’re ruining it for the rest of us.”
(Refuel, p. 238)
Can you believe that?
According to the Refuel the “. . . people you wouldn’t want to be in a group. . .” is “. . . Bible thumpers, Scripture-screamers,. . .”!
But on the other hand – it is ok to “party” with people “sloshing beers” (p. 138) and casinos and gamblers (p. 150)!
Can you believe such spiritual hypocrisy?
According to the Refuel staff and Thomas Nelson Publishers the ones who are “. . . ruining it for the rest of us. . .” are the “Bible thumpers and Scripture-screamers”!
Here is the definition of a “Bible thumper”:
Bi•ble-thump•er
an evangelist or other person who quotes the Bible frequently, esp. as a means of exhortation or rebuke.<http://www.infoplease.com/ipd/A0340693.html>
Do you know who was the greatest “Bible thumper” and “scripture-screamer” in history?
The Lord Jesus Christ!
Have you ever read the New Testament?
Here’s just some of the “Bible thumping” and “scripture-screaming” the Lord Jesus Christ does in the New Testament:
Matthew 4:4,7,10
4 But he [Jesus] answered and said, It is written,. . .
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again. . .
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written. . .
Matthew 11:10
For this is he, of whom it is written. . .
Matthew 12:3, 5
3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read. . .
5. Or have ye not read in the law. . .
Matthew 19:4
And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read. . .
Matthew 21:16
. . . And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read. . .
Matthew 21:13
And said unto them, It is written. . .
Matthew 21:42
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures. . .
Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Matthew 26:31
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written. . .
Mark 2:25
And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did. . .
Mark 7:6
He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written. . .
Mark 9:12
And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man. . .
Mark 11:17
And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written. . .
Mark 12:10
And have ye not read this scripture. . .
Mark 12:26
And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses. . .
Mark 14:27
And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written. . .
Luke 4:17-19
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luke 4:4, 8, 12
4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written,. . .
8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written. . .
12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Luke 6:3
And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read. . .
Luke 7:27
This is he, of whom it is written. . .
Luke 10:26
He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
Luke 19:46
Saying unto them, It is written. . .
Luke 20:17
And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written. . .
Luke 22:37
For I say unto you, that this that is written. . .
Luke 24:
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures. . .
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written. . .
John 6:45
It is written in the prophets. . .
John 7:37-38
37. . . Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said. . .
John 8:17
It is also written in your law. . .
John 10:34
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law. . .
John 13:18
. . . but that the scripture may be fulfilled. . .
John 15:25
. . . that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law. . .
I could easily do the same with the Apostle Paul, Peter, James, et al.
And according to the Refuel, the Lord Jesus and the “Bible thumpers” “. . . ruining it for the rest of us. . .”!
I have never read such a blatant anti-Christ statement in a mainstream Christian publication! Never! And I have read many.
What about the great “Bible-thumpers and scripture screamers” like John Wesley and George Whitefield? George Whitefield preached so hard and loud he would cough up blood. Wesley was beaten repeatedly by mobs for his open-air “Bible-thumping and scripture screaming”. John Bunyan refused to stop open-air “Bible thumping and scripture-screaming” preferring to spend over 12 years in prison! And there is Dwight L. “Crazy” Moody, Spurgeon, Frank Norris, Peter Cartwright, Christmas Evans, Sam Jones, Billy Sunday, and thousands of other “Bible thumpers and scripture screamers”.
| “. . . RUINING IT FOR THE REST OF US. . .” | ||
 Scripture Screamer – John Knox |
 Bible Thumper – John Wesley |
 Scripture Screamer – George Whitefield |
You know, the “ones”, the Refuel says is “. . . ruining it for the rest of us. . .”!
Remember where the Refuel “experts” replied that “we can’t shake our fingers at sins ‘worse’ than our own. We’re all guilty.” (Refuel, 94)? But they can sure “shake their fingers” at the “Bible-Thumpers and scripture-screamers”! God help us.
If the pastors, youth workers and Christian parents really knew the spiritual poison in the Refuel most of them would avoid it like the plague!
This kind of hip-hop, non judgmental, anti-Bible, anti-Christ, carnal, left-wing, spiritual cancer marketing our Christian young people is literally destroying any and all real spiritual life! The warning of 2 Peter 2:1-3 concerning false prophets who with “. . . feigned words make merchandise of you” and “the way of truth shall be evil spoken of” describe the Refuel perfectly.
2 Peter 2:1-3
2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
The Barna Research Group published a study titled Third Millennium Teens: Research on the Minds, Hearts and Souls of America’s Teenagers. The research consisted of extensive nation-wide surveys of teenagers. Using statistical analysis the margin of error is less than 5%. Every pastor and youth pastor needs to prayerfully read and digest this book. It clearly documents the complete failure of our youth ministries.
I do not find anything in the Bible that even hints at different methods, lingos, dumbing-down, messages, alternative definitions, etc. of reaching different age groups or different classes of people with the Word of God. The method I do read is — And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL men unto me. [John 12:32]
After studying their extensive analysis of Christian teenagers, Barna Research writes of the consequence of these “water downed” youth programs (like the Refuel Bible-mag):
“The consequence is a watering down of Christian theology to such a low standard that it often conflicts with, rather than conforms to, Scripture.”
(Barna Research Group, Third Millennium Teens: Research on the Minds, Hearts and Souls of America’s Teenagers, p.47)
Absolute truth (found in the Bible) is so far away from most Christian teenagers, they do not even know where to look. Incredibly, less than 8% would even look in the Bible for the truth!
“Discerning the existence of moral truth is so insignificant to most teenagers that half of them (46%) cannot even identify a source of information that has had the greatest influence on their thinking about the matter. The most common influence was their family (21%),. . . Other influences listed were religious teaching and beliefs (9%), the Bible (8%), friends (5%)….
Seven out of ten teens say there is no absolute moral truth and eight out of ten claim that all truth is relative to the individual and his/her circumstances. Yet, most of those same individuals – six out of ten of the total teen population – say that the Bible provides a clear and totally accurate description of moral truth.”
(Ibid, p.43)
“The role of the Bible is clearly confounding to most teens. Not only are they evenly divided as to whether or not it provides absolute moral truths that are the same for all people in all situations, but their views on what the Bible contains in relation to truth are consistently inconsistent.”
(Ibid, p.44)“Perhaps the single, most important challenge facing youth workers today is to help young people get on top of the notion of absolute truth.”
(Ibid, p.64)
What are our young people REALLY searching for?
While we try to “trick” teenagers into serving God with the trinkets and silly Refuel Bible-mags – they are begging for a “morsel of meat” from God’s Word! No wonder our young people can not wait to get away from the “church”. No wonder they do not want to “run the race that is set before them” (Heb 12:1) While we are feeding them a “junk food” diet of fun and frolic – they are spiritually starving to death!
To show how we have completely failed our teens, read Barna’s shocking analysis:
“Myth: today’s youth group attenders are tomorrow’s church leaders.
Reality: today’s youth group attenders are tomorrow’s unchurched.
Teenagers may be attending church events today, but they have little inclination to do so in the future.”(Ibid, p.67)
Unbelievable. . . According to Barna’s shocking analysis – the more active a young person is in church – the LESS likely they will attend church as an adult! And I have seen this far too many times. When that Christian, church-bred, young person gets out of high school, away from mom and dad – any trace of God and the church disappear from their lives. They react as a man released from prison. They can not wait to get out.
Why? Where have we failed? Where did we go wrong?
Here’s Barna’s simple answer:
“The reason is so simple that we often overlook it: we are not delivering the goods. (Ibid, p.67)
And Barna concludes:
“If we continue to minister the ways in which we are doing so today, we are strategically facilitating the demise of the Church we exist to build.” (Ibid, p.67)
What is the solution?
Simple.
Back to the King James Bible.
Back to the Bible-thumpers and scripture screamers.
Isaiah 58:1
revolve blable (Revolve Bible for teen girls)
 Article written by Terry Watkins, Th.D.
The Revolve Bible is a fashion-magazine-turned-Bible for teen girls. There has been over 400 versions of the English Bible since the King James Bible was published in 1611. They come in every flavor, fashion and fad imaginable. Starting with the Revised Version (1881); to the American Standard Version (1901); to the Amplified Bible (1958); to the Living Bible (1967); to the New International Version (1973); to the New King James Bible (1979); on and on they go. . . There’s feminists Bibles such as the Feminist NIV Inclusive and the TNIV; the African-American Jubilee Bible; and the piles and piles of Children’s and Teen Bibles – we have seen it all. Or. . . We just thought we had seen it all. . . The latest $cam running the gamut of the Bible PERversion trail is the new “fashion” magazine teen Bibles. They are modeled after the “teenage-fashion” magazines complete with the trendy “beauty secrets”, “ask a guy”, and “BLABS” columns. The first to crawl out of the “fashion” pile is the Revolve Bible. The Revolve Bible is aimed directly at the young teenage Christian girl. It is published by Thomas Nelson Publishers under Transit Books (www.transitbooks.com).Transit.com says of it’s new creation, “It’s the complete New Testament, but it looks just like a fashion magazine!” and a little P.$. “Order your copy today at www.amazon.com!” A “boy” version of the Revolve is also in the works. Zondervan reportedly, also has “fashion-bibles” on the way. (did I hear ca$h-ching?) And yes. . . The Revolve “Bible” does indeed, look, feel and read just like a teenage “fashion” magazine. As the saying goes, “If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck – it’s probably a duck.” An updated Bible PERversion translation says, “If it looks like a fashion magazine, feels like a fashion magazine, and reads like a fashion magazine – it’s probably a new Bible PERversion”. If the fashion-magazine-madness was not bad enough – the Bible text used in the Revolve is the New Century Version (NCV). The NCV is the product of the Church of Christ affiliated World Bible Translation Center (WBTC). The NCV was originally created in 1978 as an easy-reader Bible for the Deaf titled the Easy Reader Version (ERV). In 1983, the ERV was repackaged (can you say ca$h-ching?) as the best-selling Children’s International Version. And in 1984, it was repackaged again (can you say ca$h-ching. . . ca$h-ching?) as the New Century Version. The NCV holds the title as feminist “gender-neutral translation”. (Vern S. Poythress & Wayne A. Grudem, The Gender-Neutral Bible Controversy, Muting the Masculinity of God’s Words, p. 9) It’s odd with so much emphasis put on “gender-inclusive” and all the Bible publishers zooming into overdrive to produce “gender-inclusive” Bibles that they are now producing a “gender-exclusive” Bible devoted EXCLUSIVELY to teenage girls? (Did I hear a ca$h-ching. . .?) The NCV ranks among the most liberally mis-translated and corrupted Bibles in circulation. We will examine the history and text of the NCV a later with our article: The New Century Version: Easy to Read OR Easy to Mislead?
The cover of the Revolve screams at you with the typical “in your face” fashion magazine gaudy layout. The cover of Revolve shouts the following headlines:
The above feature columns are colorfully scattered throughout the Revolve, weaving in between the New Testament text of the New Century Bible. Interesting, the top of Revolve reads, “NCV The Complete New Testament” — but “new testament” is not found in the New Century Version! The NCV replaces “New Testament” with “New Agreement”. Why didn’t the Thomas Nelson-Revolve staff write on the cover “NCV The Complete New Agreement”? Simple. . . They knew better. But they’ll market and promote the same misleading and mis-translated Bible to our teenagers. Can you say ca$h-ching, see 1 Timothy 6:10? The Revolve “design” is the work of “rock ‘n roll” Four 5 One of Dublin, Ireland. Four 5 One is also the design team for the album covers, CD inserts, posters, programs, etc. for the rock group U2, among others. Four 5 One. . . Now, that is a good “godly” choice to design “God’s Word”. Let’s take a few examples of the Revolve’s feature columns: “GUYS SPEAK OUT”
Brilliant. . . Spiritual words of wisdom. . . Parents, do you really want hormone-crazy teenage boys to give advise on “tons of important issues” to your young teenage daughter? As a father of two teenage daughters, I think I’ll pass on that deal. To show the hormone mindset of the average teenage boy, look at the following answers to the simple question: “What do you think about girls and guys praying together?”:
It sounds like these teenage “guys” are talking about necking, making out or something worse! The question was about “praying”! Avoid “praying together” until “you’re engaged”! Be careful about “praying together” so that you “don’t get carried away”. The last time I checked, “praying” was talking to the Lord. You know what’s “on their mind” — And it’s not “praying”. What a goofy, godless, carnal, mess. Young ladies, may I give you the Lord’s ANSWER:
Of course, why ask the Lord when you can always pick up the Revolve and get the “Guys Speak Out” spiritual wisdom. “BLAB’s”
Let’s examine a few examples of the “BLAB’s”: Our first “BLAB” deals with “making-out” (a.k.a heavy kissing, necking, etc.).
What an irresponsible answer to an impressionable, teenage girl! “There is no place in the Bible where it says ‘Making out is a sin’”. That’s the same wicked logic of this lost, “present evil” world. How many times have I heard; “The Bible never says smoking marijuana is a sin”. . . Or “Show me in the Bible where gambling is a sin”. . . Or “Just show me a verse in the Bible that says making out is a sin”. I have an enlightening “revelation” for the spiritually-blind staff of Revolve. The Word of God is an eternal book (Matthew 24:35). A book for not only 2003 or the 21st century or the 19th or 20th century, et. al but – FOR ALL GENERATIONS! If the Lord would have said “Thou shalt not make out” – who in the 1300’s or 1400’s or 1700’s would have a clue to what He was referring to? Does the Lord address the subject of “making out”? Of course, He does. He gives a very precise, simple answer:
Notice also the lack of spiritual discernment and warning found in the last part of the answer: “So your best bet is to avoid heavy make-out sessions ‘till you are married. . .” The answer was not to avoid “make out sessions” but “your best bet” is to avoid “HEAVY make out sessions”. How different from the Lord’s compassionate warning, “Flee also youthful lusts. . .” Not just “AVOID HEAVY make out sessions” but “FLEE – run” from even the mere “LUSTS or thoughts” of it. Thank you Lord for warning our young people! I must also mention the contrast our wonderful Lord makes in 2 Timothy 2:22, not only “Flee also youthful lusts” – but then the Lord adds “but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a PURE heart.” Wow! Isn’t that beautiful! Is there any greater advice anyone could give to our young people. P.S. Compare the previously quoted 2 Timothy 2:22 in the King James Bible to the dull, dreary, dead 2 Timothy 2;22 in the Revolve’s NCV:
Several “BLABS” deal with the subject of homosexuality. Being “politically-correct” (and may I add, spiritually-stupid) the Revolve staff downplays the sin of homosexuality. For example, in the following “BLAB” the Revolve downplays the “sin of homosexuality” as “just like gossiping about your best friend is a sin”. The Revolve answer also includes a swipe at the church whose “view” of the sin of homosexuality is a “little harsher” than the sin of “gossiping about your best friend”.
I can’t help but thinking how God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for the “sin of homosexuality” with fire and brimstone (which by the way, is the same judgement as hell); or in Leviticus 13:20 where the Lords commands Israel to kill those who commit the “sin of homosexuality”; or Romans 1 where God “gave them up” for the “sin of homosexuality”; or in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 where the “…effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. . . shall inherit the kingdom of God” that maybe. . . just maybe. . . the Lord considers the “sin of homosexuality” a little-bit more serious than “. . . just like gossiping about your best friend. . .” I would have to add the Lord’s view of homosexuality is a “little harsh”. In another “BLAB” dealing with homosexuality (p. 43) a teenage girl asks advice on how to deal with another girl who is in love with a female teacher. Look at this lame and pathetic answer.
In other words, do not “judge” her for the lusts of homosexuality. And don’t dare tell her it’s wrong – that would be judging her. But just “show her the love of God”. Remember “it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict her and teach her”. Can a saved person actually READ the Bible and be that far off base? Look at the last part of the BLAB – now preachers, this is a nugget – “Just make sure you remember who God is and that you’re not him.” What spiritual insight! That had to come through hours of study and prayer. . . Compare the Revolve’s absurd answer to John the Baptist’s open rebuke in Matthew 14 of King Herod.
Notice, who John the Baptist openly rebuked and judged. . . THE KING. . . May I also remind you, The Lord Jesus said John was the greatest man born of women (Matthew 11:11). And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of the open rebuke and judgement of Jeremiah, Noah, Joshua, David, Daniel, Gideon, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Paul, Peter, James, Martin Luther, John Knox, Billy Sunday, J. Frank Norris and thousands of others. In another “BLAB” a teenager girl asks how to reach a friend involved in Witchcraft.
Here is a Christian young lady who is burdened about her friend “going to hell” – and she is asking advice from the Revolve staff on how to reach this friend. And the Revolve staff replies, “Don’t try to talk them into changing their faith—no one likes to be forced into anything.” How can you possibly witness without talking to them about “changing their faith”? How can they EVER know the wonderful plan of salvation without “talking to them”? Can you believe this? Again, look at John the Baptist. The Bible said John “was a man sent from God” (John 1:6). The Bible also says “The same came for a WITNESS” (John 1:7) And what is John’s definition of a witness? A VOICE.
Young person, if you are saved and you have family and friends that are going to hell – DON’T LISTEN TO REVOLVE! Talk to them about Jesus Christ and the judgement of hell! Warn them – over and over and over! Pray for them. Don’t give up! TALK to them. You may be the only VOICE God has to deal with them. Please do not listen to Revolve. Another BLAB deals with the subject of tattoos. Tattoos have taken over this generation. From the rock stars, Hollywood celebrities, sports stars, even children’s toys – virtually every walk of life is sporting a tat. Thank God, the Lord clearly “nails” the pagan and satanic “blood-letting” tattoo to the forbidden wall in Leviticus 19:28
That should certainly clear up any doubt for the Christian and tattoos. Right. . .? Wrong. . . Check out the Revolve and the forbidden tattoo:
Galatians 3 means “that NOW God looks at your heart, your motives, when it comes to what you do”? Chapter and verse? That is completely contrary to the clear word of God. Have you ever read 2 Corinthians 5 and the “judgement seat of Christ” — “knowing therefore the TERROR of the Lord”?
It’s not our motives – but “the things DONE” – “according to that he hath DONE”. It’s not your motives – but what you DID! In 1 Corinthians 3:13, which also refers to the “judgement seat of Christ, the Lord says, “Every man’s WORK shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s WORK of what SORT it is”. Christian young person, do not believe the Revolve staff. You will be JUDGED for your WORKS and what you DO. Let me also mention, the Lord Jesus Christ did not do away with or destroy the law.
You do not have the Lord’s blessing to kill, or commit adultery, or worship other gods, or steal, etc. – which is found in the ten commandments. Nor do you have the Lord’s blessing to “mark” your body, which if you are saved — is the temple of the Holy Spirit(1 Cor. 6:19) with a forbidden, pagan, blood-letting tattoo. If Leviticus 19:28 has been done away with and God is looking at our hearts. . . Then I would assume Leviticus 19:29, the next verse, is also no longer valid.
Leviticus 19:29 is the ONLY verse in the Bible, both the Old and New Testament, that explicitly forbids someone to “prostitute thy daughter”. Applying Revolve’s same wicked logic of tattoos, I wonder if the Revolve staff would answer the “BLAB” question: “It is alright to be a prostitute”? with the same answer: “when Christ came, he redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3). This means that now God looks at your heart, your motives, when it comes to what you do. Check with your parents, and follow their advice” There are several other BLABS that discount the “action” and emphasize the “motive”. The following is a BLAB that explains what you can or can not wear, such as revealing “mini skirts, tube tops”, depends on the motive. I wonder how Revolve would reply to “Hookers for Christ”. Don’t laugh. I have an actual article of a group of “Hookers for Christ”. According to the article their “motive” is to win people to Jesus Christ. I wonder if they got their idea from the Revolve? Hmm…
As far as the “motive” is the main thing. . . Ever read Matthew 16:21-23?
Notice, Peter’s “motive” in Matthew 16 was his “love” for the Lord Jesus. Peter loved the Lord Jesus and did not want Jesus Christ to be crucified. But also notice, Satan completely took over Peter! Even though Peter’s “motive” was right and pure – love for the Lord Jesus Christ – Peter’s “actions” were wrong. So wrong, that Satan was speaking out of the mouth of Peter! Motive alone is not enough. In one BLAB the question of drinking beer comes up. The answer is amazing. “Drinking alcohol is not a sin in Scripture”. What scripture are they reading? Oh, I forgot the liberal NCV. But in REAL scripture “drinking beer” is certainly a sin. Notice, the Revolve also turns the sinless Lord Jesus into a “party animal” even “bringing the wine”!
The Bible makes a clear distinction between fermented liquor and new wine, or grape juice. Speaking of fermented liquor, Proverbs 23 says, “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red(speaking of fermentation), when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright (speaking of the bubbling and carbonation). At the last it BITETH like a serpent, and STINGETH like an adder.” A description of new wine is found in Isaiah 65:8, “as the NEW WINE is found IN THE CLUSTER.” Not in a bottle! You can’t get FERMENTED LIQUOR from a CLUSTER! Fermented LIQUOR is placed in a bottle, with yeast and allowed to FERMENT. Genesis 40:11 gives a clear picture of new wine, “I took GRAPES and PRESSED them in Pharaoh’s cup.” But didn’t Jesus drunk wine at the Last Supper? In Matthew, Mark and Luke where the account of the Last Supper is found, the word “wine” is never even mentioned. The Bible very carefully says they drank – “FRUIT OF THE VINE!” What about when Jesus turned the water into wine at the marriage in Cana. If Jesus Christ turned water into fermented liquor, he directly disobeyed Habakkuk 2:15, “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also . . .” And, if Jesus disobeyed Habakkuk – HE WAS A SINNER! The Bible makes it very clear in 1 Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, and other verses – THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS WITHOUT SIN! God has placed a very strong warning in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Be not deceived: NO DRUNKARDS, . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God.” Much, much more could be given on the sin of drinking alcohol. A theme running through the Revolve is the “new-age-mother-earth-environmental-wacko” gospel. “Respect the planet, man”. Here’s a BLAB preaching the “respect the planet” gospel.
Somehow, I missed the verse that says “Honor God, then respect the planet”. But I do remember the verse where the Lord says He is going to completely burn up this planet:
Friend, Jesus Christ did not come into this world to save the planet. God Almighty is not in heaven nervously “pacing the floor” worrying about the litter. The Lord is not in heaven “wringing His hands” over the pollution or the ozone layer. Jesus Christ is not in heaven interceding for the environment and the EPA. He’s not concerned about the planet. But He is very concerned about the eternal souls of people. He is so concerned, He died on a rugged cross. You want to REALLY honor God – tell somebody about the Lord Jesus Christ and Calvary. My favorite BLAB concerns the subject of MTV and rap music. In the course of our ministry, I have personally researched many disgusting and degenerate subjects. If there’s anything in the mainstream that is more disgusting than the filth and nastiness spewing forth from rap and MTV – I have not found it. Read the Revolve staff’s opinion of MTV:
Can you believe that? “God is present everywhere, even on MTV”. What a brainless, stupid answer. . . Because God is everywhere or omnipresent that means “God is on MTV”! God is now rapping and rocking on MTV! Because God is everywhere – that means MTV is ok? What if the young girl asked: “I was wondering is porno bad to watch and listen to”? Would Revolve also answer: A: God is present everywhere, even in porno. But, don’t feed your mind that stuff 24/7. Whatever you constantly feed your mind, that is what you will believe. So spend more time talking to God and reading the Word. Dig into that and then you will see him everywhere.” This is incredible. It would be laughable, if the consequences were not so serious. Now you know why so many Christian young people are so spiritually blind and confused. This is the kind of answers many sincere young people are receiving from the vast majority of pastors and youth leaders. God help us. . . Even so, come, Lord Jesus. And of course, no self-respecting, new version-Bible-correcting-publisher is going to pass up a chance to take a swing at the King James Bible:
Notice in the reply. The modern versions “are very accurate”. Which is a joke. The new versions use the deceptive “dynamic equivalency” (DE) translation method. In DE translation methodology, rather than translating what the ORIGINAL words actually mean — the translator CHANGES the ORIGINAL wording into what the translator BELIEVES it SHOULD read. In other words, it is not longer “thus saith the Lord” but “thus saith the translator”. The Queen of the new versions, the beloved New International Version (NIV) plainly states in the NIV’s Preface: “They [the NIV translators] have striven for more than a word-for-word translation.” Also it is a thoroughly, documented FACT, the King James Bible agrees with 99% of the Greek NT manuscripts. While the new versions (including some of the NEW King James) uses two primary manuscripts – the corrupt Siniaticus and Vaticanus (a.k.a. Westcott and Hort Greek text). The NIV removes 15 complete verses! The NASV removes 16 complete verses! The RSV removes 25 complete verses! The NCV removes 16 complete verses! The Revolve also implies (very strongly) in order to “deepen your Bible study” you need to ditch the King James and get a new version. Question for the Revolve staff: How is it the greatest Bible teachers and preachers, such as Arthur Pink, Clarence Larkin, C.I. Scofield, John Wesley, Moody, Torrey, Bullinger, Oliver Greene, Lester Roloff, and thousands and thousands of others believed ONLY the King James Bible? How is that every revival of modern time came through the fruit of the King James Bible? How is it since the new versions cropped up we’ve had 45 million abortions, legalized sexual sodomy and perversion, pornographic explosion, rock and roll hell, the new age outbreak, the Satanic Bible and church, and the spiritual killing of America? Do tell if thou knowest. . . Let me also ask the Revolve staff this: If the new versions are so much “easier to understand and read” — why is it that according to surveys by Barna Research of people who read their Bible on a daily basis, “The King James Version is more likely to be the Bible read during the week than is the NIV by a 5:1 ratio.” And that is even more surprising when you consider that the NIV alone now outsells the KJV – not to mention the accumulated millions of other new versions sold. Another “BLAB” clearly teaches the false and heretical teaching of “Lordship Salvation”. Lordship Salvation teaches that “in order to be saved” Jesus Christ MUST be the “Lord of your life”. If you are saved, Jesus Christ is your Lord and Saviour. But salvation is by faith ALONE in the blood of Jesus Christ and His payment for your sins. Yes, your desire should be for Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your body, soul and spirit. But Lordship Salvation is a satanic salvation “by works” heresy that NO ONE can obtain. One of their favorite sayings is “If He’s not Lord of ALL, He’s not Lord at ALL”. The simple FACT is, no person who ever lived EVER made Jesus Christ the Lord of everything in their life. If they did, they would be sinless. Read the struggles of the greatest Christian that ever lived fought in Romans chapter 7.
This is an amazingly warped answer considering the worldly and carnal answers to some of the other “BLABS”. Do you see why so many young people are spiritually confused? Do you see why so many Christian teenagers want nothing to do with “the adults” God? With these kind of spiritually hypocritical and ridiculous answers who can blame them. It bothers me when I see this type of stuff being promoted and fed to our young people. Especially when I know how simple and pure God’s Word is in the King James Bible. What a shame. What a crime to our young people. If Jesus Christ does not come back soon – with the shallow, spiritual garbage being fed to our Christian young people – they will never survive spiritually. God help us. . . There are over 200 of such BLABS in the Revolve. And most are like the given examples – pure carnal, humanistic, politically correct, nonsense. TOPten
Is there anything spiritual or Biblical in the whole list? Is there anything about witnessing to someone about the Lord Jesus (oops, that would be “talking to them into changing their faith” and that’s a no-no). Or inviting someone to church? (oops. That would also be “talking to them into changing their faith”. . . sorry I forgot). Or passing out tracts. Or going to the nursing home and ministering to the elderly. Was the Lord Jesus’s “Great Commission” in Matthew 28:19 19 Go ye therefore, and plant a tree. . . ? Notice that 5 (numbers 1, 2, 6, 7, 8) of the “top ten” ways to make a difference are the gospel according to the environmental-wacko. Who in heaven (or hell) cares if you “use washable containers instead of plastic wrap for your lunch” (7) or “recycles cans and bottles” (8)? Do you believe the Lord’s “top ten” ways to make a difference would include “Pick up someone else’s litter” (2). And remember this – that is not JUST TEN “Random ways to make a difference in your community”. These are the TOP TEN ways to make a difference in your community! So according to the Revolve staff — “plant a tree” or “Clip the plastic rings on soda six-packs.” or “Recycle cans and bottles” is BETTER and MORE IMPORTANT than leading a soul to Jesus Christ! Say it ain’t so. . . Christians can not be that spiritually blind and ignorant. There is simply no way this article will do justice to the silliness and sacrilege of the Revolve “Bible”. Needless to say, we could go on and on and on, spending hours, examining the ridiculous stuff in the Revolve Bible. To simply say they are unbelievable and unthinkable is too much charity. |
Like the other features, the “Guys Speak Out” sections are littered throughout the Revolve. Described on the cover of Revolve as: “Guys Speak Out on Tons of Important Issues”. Let’s look at a couple of the “important issues” found in the “Guys Speak Out”:
The most popular and numerous section infecting the Revolve is the “BLAB” Question and Answer sections. The “BLABS” cover topics such as tattoos, homosexuality, witchcraft, mini-skirts, environmentalism, drinking beer, boy-girl relationships, MTV and sex. Hence, the title of our article “revolve blable”.
Also throughout the Revolve are “TOPten columns. The TOPten columns are “top ten” lists of various topics aimed at Christian teenage girls. For instance there is the TOPten Christian CDs (of course, all 10 are Christian rock CDs), TOPten books, etc. But the TOPten “Random ways to make a difference in your community” is a classic. This really illustrates the complete and total spiritual blindness of the Revolve staff. Remember, this is supposed to be for Christian teenage girls.The New Century Version & Church of Christ
Article Written by Terry Watkins, Dial-A-Truth Ministries
The New Century Version (NCV) is the product of the Church of Christ affiliated World Bible Translation Center (WBTC) in Ft. Worth, Texas. The path to the New Century Version is a long and winding road driven by Church of Christ cohorts.
In 1978 the Church of Christ WBTC created an easy-to-read Bible specifically for the deaf, titled the English Version for the Deaf (EVD). The EVD is primarily the work of WBTC’s Senior Translation Consultant, Ervin Bishop. In 1983, the EVD was slightly modified, repackaged and published by Sweet Publishing of Ft. Worth as the best-selling International Children’s Version (ICV), New Testament. Sweet Publishing is also Church of Christ affiliated. The International Children’s Version was endorsed (as is the NCV) by Billy Graham and used in his crusades.
The International Children’s Bible was also used in the Adventures in Odyssey Bible, a partnership between James Dobson, Focus on the Family and Word Publishing.
In 1984, Sweet Publishing repackaged the ICV as The Word: New Century Version. In 1987, the Old Testament of the New Century Version was released. A few years later, the publishing rights to the New Century Version and the International Children’s Version was acquired by Word Publishing. In 1992 Word Publishing was purchased by Thomas Nelson Publishing. Word Publishing has since been renamed W Publishing.
The NCV has been published and re-packaged with many titles. Some of the NCV’s titles are: The Everyday Bible (endorsed by Billy Graham); The Holy Bible: New Century Version: Traveler’s Edition, The Youth Bible; Extreme Teen Bible; The Revolve; Nelson’s KidsBible.com; Time With God; The Answer; and The Secret Kingdom Edition (special edition with Pat Robertson).
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST CONNECTION
As previously mentioned, the NCV and the ICV are the product of the Church of Christ affiliated World Bible Translation Center (WBTC) in Ft. Worth, Texas. Sweet Publishing, the original publisher of the NCV and ICV is also members of the Church of Christ.
Because of the influence of the Christ of Christ’s involvement in the NCV and ICV we need to briefly examine the Church of Christ denomination.
The roots of the Church of Christ was planted in the early 1800s by Presbyterians Barton Stone, Thomas 
and Alexander Campbell, and Walter Scott. Alexander Campbell is the recognized “founder” of the Church of Christ. Hence, Church of Christ members are referred to as Campbellites and their false teaching as Campbellism. Campbell and his followers believed the church had fallen away from the original precepts of the New Testament and began what they called the “Restoration Movement”. Their purpose was to “restore” the church to the teachings of only New Testament doctrines. They vehemently teach and debate such doctrines as; no musical instruments in the church; The Church of Christ is the only True Church; The Lord’s Supper every Sunday; a confusing system of salvation by works; and their biggie – you must be baptized to be saved.
Because of the Church of Christ’s possible teachings “sneaking” into the NCV and ICB, it’s very important we understand what the Church of Christ teaches.
The following material, pertaining to Church of Christ “salvation” all comes directly from Church of Christ publications. Notice their salvation by works, and their serious error of baptismal regeneration.
In the Church of Christ pamphlet, “What is the Church of Christ” by Batsell Barrett, the question is asked: “How does one become a member of the Church of Christ”? Here’s the answer:
1 Hear the gospel. . .
2. Believe . . .
3. Repent of past sins . . .
4. Confess Jesus as Lord . . .
5. Be baptized for remission of sins . . .
6. Live a Christian Life . . .
(What is the Church of Christ, Batsell Barrett Baxter, Church of Christ, 3805 Granny White Pike, Nashville, Tn 37204, pp. 11-13)
The Church of Christ dogmatically teach a salvation by works, culminating in baptism.
“Many churches in the world believe that we are saved by faith only. By this, the majority teach that Christ washes away our sins the very minute we say in our hearts that Jesus is Christ. In most cases it is a faith that does not lead one to be baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ in order to reach the salvation of God.”
(Are We Saved By Faith Only?, Gynnath Ford, Box, Dickson, TN 37055, p. 7)
“The Bible says that neither faith alone nor works alone can save. Thus both the Protestant and Catholic doctrines of salvation are false. . . Christ and his apostles taught that in order to be saved a man must hear the gospel of Christ and believe that he is the only begotten Son of God. . . On the basis of such a faith in Jesus Christ, one must then make the decision to turn away from his sins, to repent. . . He must then confess his faith in Jesus before men. . . Finally, in order to receive the remission of sins, one must be immersed in water. . . When one thus hears the gospel, believes it, repents of his sins, confesses Christ with his mouth and is baptized, he has done the things that Christ and the apostles taught men to do in the first century to be saved. . . To change this plan in any way—to either add to or take from it—is not acceptable to God and will cause one to be accursed!”
(The Distinctive Plea of the Churches of Christ, Rubel Shelly, Lambert Book House, Box 4007, Shreveport, LA, 71104, pp. 10,11>
Interesting, the above quote from the Church of Christ author, cursed Dwight L. Moody, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham, John Wesley, George Whitfield, the Apostle Paul and even the Lord Jesus Christ. As none believed in the Church of Christ’s “plan of salvation”.
More documentation from the Church of Christ:
“. . . the design of baptism is in order to obtain the remission of sins.”
(Bible Baptism, Perry B. Cotham, p. 16)
According to the following Church of Christ publication, water baptism brings someone in “contact with the blood of Christ”.
“What happens when a person is baptized? He receives the remission of his sins. (Acts 2:38) He is saved from past sins. (1 Pet. 3:21) His sins are washed away. (Acts 22:16) He puts on Christ. (Gal. 3:27) He enters Christ. (Rom. 6:3) He contacts the blood of Christ. (Rom. 6:3).
(Things Surely Believed Among Us, Paul Rogers, pp. 18, 19)
The following answer to the question “What Must I Do to Be Saved” taken from a Church of Christ publication, also clearly teaches salvation by works – the last sentence — “you must, by God’s help, continue in his service unto death”
The Most Important Question Ever Asked. . .
“What Must I Do to Be Saved?”
If you are an alien sinner—one who has never become a child of God—you must believe in Christ, repent of your sins, confess Christ, be baptized for the remission of sins, and “walk in newness of life”
If you are an erring child of God, you must confess your sins, repent, pray for forgiveness, and return to your duty.
If you are a faithful Christian, you must, by God’s help, continue in his service unto death.
(Centerville Messenger, published by the Church of Christ, Centerville TN)
In contrast. . . How different and simple the Word of God answers the same exact question in Acts 16:30 “. . .what must I do to be saved”
Acts 16:30-31, KJB
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
How simple, straightforward and sure is the Lord’s answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” How wonderful! How marvelous! Aren’t you glad the Lord did not teach the Church of Christ’s confusing plan of salvation?
How does the Church of Christ get around the clear answer of Acts 16:31?
Simple they change one little word in the verse. Just one word. Just two letters long. . .
Here’s how the Church of Christ produced NCV reads in Acts 16:30-31:
Acts 16:30-31
30 He brought them outside and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved–you and all the people in your house.”
See the tiny but HUGE difference? They change that little bitty word “ON” (KJB) to “IN” (NCV). And by that itsy-bitsy change the emphasis is no longer on the PERSON of the Lord Jesus Christ but on His TEACHINGS. And then the deceived Church of Christ travels down their heretical path to “what did the Lord Jesus TEACH in order to be saved”. Simple. Believe. Repent. Confess. Baptism. Live it. . . Simple. . . Subtle (see Genesis 3:1) and Deadly.
Something else we’ll see shortly is the Church of Christ NCV changes “my word” to “my teaching”, again emphasizing the “teaching” instead of the simple “word”.
The following information from Dr. Hugh Pyle’s excellent book titled, “The Truth about the Church of Christ”, gives more analysis into the Church of Christ.
“They are completely warped, doctrinally, on much of what the Bible teaches.
Eight of their biggest heresies relate to their ‘plan’ of, or ‘steps to salvation’ as taught in the Church of Christ. They teach:1. Salvation by works rather than by the grace of God.
2. Baptismal regeneration—sins actually remitted in the waters of the church of Christ baptistry.
3. That eternal life is not eternal; that a born-again soul can lose his salvation after all.
4. That they have a monopoly on salvation—that they are the one and only true church.
5. That one cannot know in this life that he is saved.
6. That their church has the one and only Bible name.
7. That Christians must take the Lord’s Supper every Sunday to be scriptural.
8. That to worship where instrumental music is used is sinful and disobedient to the Lord.”
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the “Church of Christ”, preface).“For these innocent buildings house a pernicious religious cult which has deceived countless thousands about God’s way of salvation and the way to Heaven!”
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the “Church of Christ”, p. 9)“It is almost unbelievable that one religious sect could get so warped and utterly confused on the Bible.”
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the “Church of Christ”, p. 11)“I have read actually state or imply that one will not be saved if he worships God with musical instruments in his singing!
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the “Church of Christ”, p. 78)After viewing the ‘watered-down’ Gospel of the so-called Church of Christ, the question may well be considered, Could a Campbellite be saved?
The answer certainly is this, that if a person believes what the Church of Christ teaches and does not understand God’s way of salvation, then the Campbellite is not saved no matter how many religious theories he embraces or how many times he has been dipped in the Church of Christ pool.
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the “Church of Christ”, p. 97)
Incredibly, Dr. Pyle rates the Church of Christ follower among the most deceived of all cults. And after dealing with many Church of Christ, I agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Pyle.
“I found fewer people of the Campbellite persuasion who were truly saved than almost any other denomination or sect that I ever had contact with“.
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the “Church of Christ”, p. 97)
Watchman Fellowship, whose ministry exposes various cults throughout the world, says the following about the Church of Christ:
“We refer to Campbellism as a cult with reference to those followers of the fatal doctrines systematized by Thomas and Alexander Campbell, Barton Stone and Walter Scott concerning the plan of salvation. . . most people in the Churches of Christ are actually accepting a legalism which corrupts the gospel at it’s core, and do not understand, nor have responded to faith in Jesus Christ’s finished work on our behalf – Biblical faith.”
(Campbellism, Craig Branch, Watchman Fellowship)
There is no doubt the Church of Christ teaches a false gospel.
Does the NCV and ICV bear the distinguishing “marks” of the Church of Christ?
Is the heretical Church of Christ teachings lurking in the pages of the NCV and ICV?
I’ll let you answer that in a few minutes. . .
Note: In the following verses documenting the errors of the NCV, we provide both the King James Bible (KJB) and the New Century Version (NCV) for easy comparison. Scripture marked NCV is Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
BAPTISM IN THE NCV
As we have seen, water baptism is the core of the Church of Christ cult. They loudly and proudly believe that water baptism is essential for salvation.
Notice carefully, in the following two groups of scriptures (Romans 6:3-4 and Colossian 2:12), the object of the verses have been changed from theRESULT of baptism to the RITUAL of baptism. The Church of Christ NCV adds the simple words “when we were” to baptism to emphasis the RITUAL of baptism. Important: The NCV is the ONLY version that does this! No other version makes these changes.
Romans 6:3-4, KJB
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.Romans 6:3-4, NCV
3 Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ when we were baptized? We shared his death in our baptism.
4 When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life.Colossians 2:12, KJB
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.Colossians 2:12, NCV
When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and you were raised up with him through your faith in God’s power that was shown when he raised Christ from the dead.
Notice, in 1 Corinthians 12:13, where the Bible is clearly referring to “spiritual baptism” by the Holy Spirit, the NCV Church of Christ, changes one little word “BY one Spirit. . ” to “THROUGH one Spirit. . .” hence, removing the reference to “baptism BY the Spirit”. The NCV also adds the word “WERE” (we WERE all baptized..) to emphasize the RITUAL of baptism – water baptism.
1 Corinthians 12:13, KJB
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.1 Corinthians 12:13, NCV
Some of us are Jews, and some are Greeks. Some of us are slaves, and some are free. But we were all baptized into one bodythrough one Spirit. And we were all made to share in the one Spirit.
In 1 Peter 3:20-21, the NCV Church of Christ does not “pull any punches” but openly teaches salvation by water baptism. The NCV changes the phrase “like figure” to “water”. Of course, the word “water” is not in any Greek text. The King James Bible says the “water of Noah’s flood” is a “like figure” whereunto even “baptism” (also a like-figure) also now save us” which clearly shows that “baptism” is a “like figure” of the “resurrection of Jesus Christ”. Hence, “water baptism” is a “like figure” of the “resurrection of Jesus Christ”. That is why many pastors say while baptizing someone “Buried with him in baptism and risen [resurrection] to newness of life”.
1 Peter 3:20-21, KJB
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 3:20-21, NCV
20 who refused to obey God long ago in the time of Noah. God was waiting patiently for them while Noah was building the boat. Only a few people–eight in all–were saved by water.
21 And that water is like baptism that now saves you–not the washing of dirt from the body, but the promise made to God from a good conscience. And this is because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
Dr. Harry Ironside provides a good analysis of 1 Peter 3:20-21:
“Noah saved through the flood of wrath in the ark shadows forth the believer’s deliverance from judgement, as baptism clearly expresses, i.e., salvation by the work of Christ. He endured all the curse, even as the ark bore all the brunt of the storm; but the believer can say, ‘His death was mine.’ It is not to baptism that any efficacy attaches; that could only put away outward filth.There is not the slightest justification here for the ritualistic dogma of baptismal regeneration. The only thing that gives the answer which a good conscience demands, is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. That apprehended, baptism is full of meaning. ‘He was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification.’” (Rom. 4:25)
(Baptism, What Saith the Scriptures, Dr. H.A. Ironside, pp. 26-27)
CHURCHES IN CHRIST
Another heretical doctrine taught by the Church of Christ cult is their teaching the Church of Christ is the ONE and ONLY TRUE church. They teach the Church of Christ is a “restoration movement” to bring back God’s people to the “origin” of the New Testament. And this “restoration” and salvation is ONLY found in the doors of the Church of Christ. Read the following from a Church of Christ booklet:
“The restoration principle is a valid one! God would have us to always recognize and submit to the authority of His Word. We cannot add to that revelation or take from it, but must be content to take it as it is and follow it exactly! (cf. Rev. 22:18-19). It thus follows that it will not be enough to restore the ethical teachings of Jesus and the zeal of the early disciples. We must restore not only the ‘spirit’ of New Testament Christianity but also the plan of salvation, the worship and the organization of the church described in the New Testament!. . .
What will the result of following this principle? Men and women will be Christians, members of the church of Christ.”
(The Distinctive Plea of the Churches of Christ, Rubel Shelly, pp. 9-10)
The Church of Christ also insists they are the ONLY TRUE Church because their church name is the only church specifically mentioned by name in the New Testament.
The NCV certainly helps their cause by adding a few extra “churches in Christ”. It’s worth noting, the NCV is the ONLY version to insert these “churches in Christ”. Wonder why?
Galatians 1:22, KJB
And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:Galatians 1:22, NCV
In Judea the churches in Christ had never met me.Ephesains 1:23, KJB
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.Ephesians 1:23, NCV
which is Christ’s body. The church is filled with Christ, and Christ fills everything in every way.1 Thessalonians 2:14, KJB
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:1 Thessalonians 2:14, NCV
Brothers and sisters, your experiences have been like those of God’s churches in Christ that are in Judea. You suffered from the people of your own country, as they suffered from the Jews,
Does the NCV bear the “marks” of the Church of Christ?
Keep reading. . .
CHURCH OF CHRIST SALVATION
The Church of Christ’s “plan of salvation” is a process or steps you continue doing. A Church of Christ is never “saved” but “being saved”. They can never “know” they are saved.
Remember in the earlier Church of Christ publication that answered the question “What Must I Do to Be Saved” with the “being saved” answer of “you must, by God’s help, continue in his service unto death” (Centerville Messenger, published by the Church of Christ, Centerville TN)
Hugh Pyle gives an interesting response to the Church of Christ’s “being saved” plan of salvation.
“Strange they would boisterously declare that they, alone, had the truth concerning the way to Heaven when none of them know they are going there!”
(Dr. Hugh F. Pyle, The Truth about the “Church of Christ”, p. 11)
Sprinkled throughout the NCV is the Church of Christ’s “being saved” plan of salvation. Salvation is turned into a process rather than a completed work at Calvary by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:47, KJB
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.Acts 2:47, NCV
They praised God and were liked by all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers.1 Corinthians. 1:18, KJB
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.1 Corinthians. 1:18, NCV
The teaching about the cross is foolishness to those who are being lost, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.1 Corinthians 15:2, KJB
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.1 Corinthians 15:2, NCV
And you are being saved by it if you continue believing what I told you. If you do not, then you believed for nothing.2 Corinthians 2:15-16, KJB
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?2 Corinthians 2:15-16, NCV
15 Our offering to God is this: We are the sweet smell of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are being lost.
16 To those who are lost, we are the smell of death that brings death, but to those who are being saved, we are the smell of life that brings life. So who is able to do this work?
In other places, such as 1 Peter 2:2 and Philippians 2:12, the NCV openly teaches the Church of Christ cult’s salvation by works.
1 Peter 2:2, KJB
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:1 Peter 2:2, NCV
As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching. By it you can grow up and be saved,Philippians 2:12, NCV
My dear friends, you have always obeyed God when I was with you. It is even more important that you obey now while I am away from you. Keep on working to complete your salvation with fear and trembling,Philippians 2:12, KJB
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Does the NCV bear the “marks” of the Church of Christ?
You’d better believe it does!
And that’s not all. . .
THE VANISHING WRITTEN WORD OF GOD
The NCV many times removes and obscures the direct application to the written Word of God. “My words” is changed to “words I have said”.
Matthew 24:35, KJB
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.Matthew 24:35, NCV
Earth and sky will be destroyed, but the words I have said will never be destroyed.Mark 13:31, KJB
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.Mark 13:31, NCV
Earth and sky will be destroyed, but the words I have said will never be destroyed.
In Matthew 4:4, the clear reference to the written word, “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” is changed to “. . . everything Godsays.”
Matthew 4:4, KJB
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.Matthew 4:4, NCV
Jesus answered, “It is written in the Scriptures, ‘A person does not live by eating only bread, but by everything God says.'”
The “word” is changed to “teaching” or “message”. Again, plainly diminishing the written word of God. This also bears the “mark” of the Church of Christ cult, who emphasizes following the “teachings” of Christ, rather than simply believing the Word. Look at the destructive changes just in Matthew 13:19-23:
Matthew 13:19-23, KJB
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.Matthew 13:19-23, NCV
19 What is the seed that fell by the road? That seed is like the person who hears the message about the kingdom but does not understand it. The Evil One comes and takes away what was planted in that person’s heart.
20 And what is the seed that fell on rocky ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and quickly accepts it with joy.
21 But he does not let the teaching go deep into his life, so he keeps it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching he accepted, he quickly gives up.
22 And what is the seed that fell among the thorny weeds? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching but lets worries about this life and the temptation of wealth stop that teaching from growing. So the teaching does not produce fruit in that person’s life.
23 But what is the seed that fell on the good ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and understands it. That person grows and produces fruit, sometimes a hundred times more, sometimes sixty times more, and sometimes thirty times more.”James 1:21, KJB
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.James 1:21, NCV
So put out of your life every evil thing and every kind of wrong. Then in gentleness accept God’s teaching that is planted in your hearts, which can save you.1 Peter 2:2, KJB
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:1 Peter 2:2, NCV
As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching. By it you can grow up and be saved,
The written Word is diminished in the NCV by changing the “New Testament” to the “New Agreement” (6 times). If the staff of the New Century Version REALLY believes New Testament should be changed to New Agreement then why does the cover of the NCV New Testament read New Testament rather than New Agreement? (see Picture on right) Hmm…? Can you say hypocrite? Reminds me of the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 7:5, “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” (PIC)
Matthew 26:18, KJB
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.Matthew 26:18, NCV
This is my blood which is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This blood is poured out for many to forgive their sins.Mark 14:24, KJB
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.Mark 14:24, NCV
Then Jesus said, “This is my blood which is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This blood is poured out for many.Luke 22:20, KJB
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.Luke 22:20, NCV
In the same way, after supper, Jesus took the cup and said, “This cup is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This new agreement begins with my blood which is poured out for you.2 Corinthians 3:6, KJB
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.2 Corinthians 3:6, NCV
He made us able to be servants of a new agreement from himself to his people. This new agreement is not a written law, but it is of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.Hebrews 9:15, KJB
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.Hebrews 9:15, NCV
For this reason Christ brings a new agreement from God to his people. Those who are called by God can now receive the blessings he has promised, blessings that will last forever. They can have those things because Christ died so that the people who lived under the first agreement could be set free from sin.
The laugh of the year is found in 2 Corinthians 2:17, especially coming from the multi-million dollar empire of Thomas Nelson Publishers. The NCV changes “. . . corrupt the word of God. . .” to “We do not sell the word of God for a profit as many other people do”. What a riot!
2 Corinthians 2:17, KJB
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.2 Corinthians 2:17, NCV
We do not sell the word of God for a profit as many other people do. But in Christ we speak the truth before God, as messengers of God.
Speaking of money. . . 1 Timothy 6:10 is no longer “the root of all evil”, but simply “causes all kinds of evil”.
1 Timothy 6:10, KJB
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.1 Timothy 6:10, NCV
The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have left the faith, because they wanted to get more money, but they have caused themselves much sorrow.
THE DISAPPEARING VERSES
The following 16 verses are completely removed from the text of the New Century Version!
| Matthew 17:21 | Matthew 18:11 | Matthew 23:14 | Mark 7:16 |
| Mark 9:44 | Mark 9:46 | Mark 11:26 | Mark 15:28 |
| Luke 17:36 | Luke 23:17 | John 5:4 | Acts 8:37 |
| Acts 15:34 | Acts 24:7 | Acts 28:29 | Romans 16:24 |
The Bible says in Luke 4:4, “. . .man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”
Luke 4:4, KJB
And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Guess what? The NCV even removes the last half of Luke 4:4 – “but by every word of God.”!
Luke 4:4, NCV
Jesus answered, “It is written in the Scriptures: ‘A person does not live by eating only bread.'”
To make matters worse. . . Luke 4:4 is the Lord Jesus Christ quoting Deuteronomy 8:3. Does the perpetrators of the NCV do not believe the Lord Jesus knows Deut. 8:3?
The Lord gives three very clear warnings against “adding and taking away” from His Word.
Deuteronomy 4:2 reads: “YE SHALL NOT ADD unto the word which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH ought from it . . .”
Proverbs 30:6, reads, “ADD THOU NOT unto his words . . .”
And just in case you missed it, GOD’S LAST WARNING is Revelation 22:18,19:
“. . . IF ANY MAN SHALL ADD unto these things. . . 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. . .”
Despite these clear warnings, the NCV takes out and adds text, over and over! One of the greatest verses in all the Bible, Matthew 18:11: “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” – the NCV takes it out!
JESUS CHRIST. . . GOD. . . OR?
The fundamental of fundamentals is the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. The fact that Jesus Christ was God manifest in the flesh, is the foundation of the Christian faith. Everything builds upon that. If the deity of Jesus Christ is attacked or even confused, the Christian faith crumbles.
One of the major sins of the new PERversions is the confusion, dilution and out right denial of the deity of Jesus Christ. And the NCV travels down this perilous path of perversion.
Several times the King James Bible plainly states that Jesus Christ is the “image of God”. The NCV changes the clear “image of God” to the diluted and confusing “exactly LIKE God”. Jesus Christ is no longer God but simply “like” God.
2 Corinthians 4:4, KJB
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who isthe image of God, should shine unto them.2 Corinthians 4:4, NCV
The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News–the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is exactly like God.Colossians 1:14-15, KJB
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:Colossians 1:14-15, NCV (Notice the NCV removes “through his blood”
14 The Son paid for our sins, and in him we have forgiveness.
15 No one can see God, but Jesus Christ is exactly like him. He ranks higher than everything that has been made.
“Like” God? Does that sound familiar? The “like God” title is also the goal of Lucifer in Isaiah 14:14!
Isaiah 14:12-14
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
In Hebrews 1:3, Jesus Christ is no longer the “brightness of God’s glory” but simply “reflects the Glory of God”. The clear and dogmatic phrase “. . .the express image of his [God] person” is now downgraded to simply “exactly what God is like. . .” Why would a Christian do this?
Hebrews 1:3, KJB
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;Hebrews 1:3, NCV
The Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly what God is like. He holds everything together with his powerful word. When the Son made people clean from their sins, he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.
Colossians 2:9 clearly states the Lord Jesus is “all the fullness of the Godhead bodily”. Plainly, testifying to the deity of Jesus Christ – the Godhead bodily. Again the NCV denies the deity of the Lord Jesus by stating, “God lives in Christ fully (even when Christ was on earth)” — clearly SEPARATING the Lord Jesus from God!
Colossians 2:9-10, KJB
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:Colossians 2:9-10, NCV
9 All of God lives in Christ fully (even when Christ was on earth),
10 and you have a full and true life in Christ, who is ruler over all rulers and powers.
1 Timothy 3:16 is probably the clearest verse in the Bible asserting that Jesus Christ was “God manifest in the flesh”. The NCV changes it to the trivial “He was shown to us in a human body “. Who is “he”? He is a pronoun that requires a noun to qualify it. There is no noun in the context! He could be anybody!
1 Timothy 3:16, KJB
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.1 Timothy 3:16, NCV
Without doubt, the secret of our life of worship is great: He was shown to us in a human body, proved right in spirit, and seen by angels. He was preached to those who are not Jews, believed in by the world, and taken up in glory.
Again (and again…) the NCV changes the clear statement of Philippians 2:6 testifying that Jesus Christ was “equal with God” to the confusing “. . . he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit.”
Philippians 2:6-7, KJB
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:Philippians 2:6-7, NCV
6 Christ himself was like God in everything. But he did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for his own benefit.
7 But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant.
THE PRECIOUS BLOOD IS NOT SO PRECIOUS. . . IN THE NCV
As all faithful PERversions do, the redeeming blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is attacked, removed, or diluted.
The message of the “the innocent blood” of Jesus Christ from the mouth of Judas, testifying of the sinless, blood-atonement of the Lord Jesus, is changed to the frivolous “innocent man”. Notice also the definite “THE innocent blood” is changed to the indefinite “AN innocent man”. There are many “an innocent man” but there is only ONE “THE innocent blood”.
Matthew 27:4, KJB
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.Matthew 27:4, NCV
saying, “I sinned; I handed over to you an innocent man.” The leaders answered, “What is that to us? That’s your problem, not ours.”
Pilate’s confirmation of the sinless Lord Jesus in Matthew 27:24 is also removed in the NCV. Pilate’s “blood of this just person” is now simply “this man’s death”.
Matthew 27:24-25, KJB
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.Matthew 27:24-25, NCV
24 When Pilate saw that he could do nothing about this and that a riot was starting, he took some water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. Then he said, “I am not guilty of this man’s death. You are the ones who are causing it!”
25 All the people answered, “We and our children will be responsible for his death.”
Acts 20:28 is one of the greatest verses in the Bible. And the NCV does a “double-wammy” to Acts 20:28. The NCV removes “the blood” and at the same time adds the word “son” thus diluting the clear reference to the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Again, there is no Greek evidence for such a change.
Acts 20:28, KJB
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.Acts 20:28, NCV (Attacks the deity and also removes the blood)
Be careful for yourselves and for all the people the Holy Spirit has given to you to care for. you must be like shepherds to the church of God, which he bought with the death of his own son.
Many times the passion of the “blood” of the Lord Jesus Christ is diluted by adding the words “of death” to the message of the blood. By adding the words “of His death”, etc. the “blood” is no longer the OBJECT but a modifier of “death”. Clearly clouding the emphasis the Holy Spirits gives to the blood. There is no Greek evidence for adding “death”.
Matthew 27:6, KJB
And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.Matthew 27:6, NCV
The leading priests picked up the silver coins in the Temple and said, “Our law does not allow us to keep this money with the Temple money, because it has paid for a man’s death.”Romans 3:25, KJB
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;Romans 3:25, NCV
God gave him as a way to forgive sin through faith in the blood of Jesus’ death. This showed that God always does what is right and fair, as in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins.Romans 5:9, KJB
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.Romans 5:9, NCV
So through Christ we will surely be saved from God’s anger, because we have been made right with God by the blood of Christ’s death.Ephesians 1:7, KJB
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;Ephesians 1:7, NCV
In Christ we are set free by the blood of his death, and so we have forgiveness of sins. How rich is God’s grace,Ephesians 2:13, KJB
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.Ephesians 2:13, NCV
But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ’s death.Colossians 1:20, KJB
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.Colossians 1:20, NCV
And through Christ, God has brought all things back to himself again–things on earth and things in heaven. God made peace throughthe blood of Christ’s death on the cross.Hebrews 10:19, KJB
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,Hebrews 10:19, NCV
So, brothers and sisters, we are completely free to enter the Most Holy Place without fear because of the blood of Jesus’ death.Revelation 1:5, KJB
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,Revelation 1:5, NCV
and from Jesus Christ. Jesus is the faithful witness, the first among those raised from the dead. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth. He is the One who loves us, who made us free from our sins with the blood of his death.Revelation 5:9, KJB
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;Revelation 5:9, NCV
And they all sang a new song to the Lamb: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were killed, andwith the blood of your death you bought people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation.Revelation 12:11, KJB
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.Revelation 12:11, NCV
And our brothers and sisters defeated him by the blood of the Lamb’s death and by the message they preached. They did not love their lives so much that they were afraid of death.
THE POLITICALLY CORRECT FEMINIST BIBLE
The ICV and the NCV were maong the first gender-neutral, non-male, pro-feminist, Bibles. Authors Vern Poythress and Wayne Grudem, write in The Gender-Neutral Bible Controversy concerning the NCV and ICV:
“The earliest complete translations of the Bible to adopt a gender-neutral translation policy were apparently the New Century Version (NCV) and the International Children’s Bible (ICB), both published by Word publishing Company.”
(Vern S. Poythress & Wayne A. Grudem, The Gender-Neutral Bible Controversy, Muting the Masculinity of God’s Words, p. 9)
The International Children’s Version was the first mainstream Bible to go gender-neutral-feminist. There was absolutely nothing in the preface of the ICV that warned the parents of the politically-correct, gender-neutral, feminist agenda. It is very troubling the ICV was an undercover-gender-neutral production aimed at our very young children.
The International Children’s Bible was promoted and given away by the Billy Graham Crusade. It was also used in the Adventures in Odyssey Bible, a partnership between James Dobson, Focus on the Family and Word Publishing.
In order to neuter the ICB and NCV into a anti-male, pro-feminist, politically-correct PERversion — thousands and thousands of clear masculine-gender verbs in the God-inspired Greek text, were intentionally mis-translated.
- The NCV removes the male pronoun “he” 791 times!
- The NCV removes the male pronoun “him” 936 times!
- The NCV removes the male pronoun “his” 238 times!
- The NCV removes the word “man” 230 times!
- The NCV removes the word “men” 219 times!
- And the word “mankind” is completely removed!
FATHERS NOT WELCOME
One of the major problems facing America today is fatherless families. Today, fathers are an endangered species. It’s gotten so bad, President Bush and Congress have proposed “buy back the fathers” programs offering cash incentives just to encourage fathers to marry.
The father’s role in a family can not be overemphasized.
Look at the following alarming statistics:
- 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes.
[U. S. D.H.H.S. Bureau of the Census]- 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes.
- 85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.
[Center for Disease Control]- 80% of rapist motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes.
[Criminal Justice and Behavior, Vol. 14 p. 403-26]- 72% percent of adolescent murders come from fatherless homes.
[William J. Bennett, The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators, p. 61]- 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.
[National Principals Association Report on the State of High Schools]- 70% of juveniles in state operated institutions come from fatherless homes
[U.S. Dept. of Justice, Special Report, Sept., 1988]- 70 percent of long-term prison inmates come from fatherless homes.
[William J. Bennett, The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators, p. 61]- 85% of all youths sitting in prisons grew up in a fatherless home.
[Fulton County Georgia Jail Populations and Texas Dept. of Corrections, 1992]- Nearly 2 of every 5 children in America do not live with their fathers.
[US News and World Report, February 27, 1995, p.39]
Fatherless children are:- 4.6 times more likely to commit suicide,
- 6.6 times to become teenaged mothers (if they are girls, of course),
- 24.3 times more likely to run away,
- 15.3 times more likely to have behavioral disorders,
- 6.3 times more likely to be in a state-operated institutions,
- 10.8 times more likely to commit rape,
- 6.6 times more likely to drop out of school,
- 15.3 times more likely to end up in prison while a teenager.
A Heritage Foundation study found that growing up without a father is now the single most reliable predictor of crime.
Louis Sullivan, former secretary of Health and Family Services, said, “Male absence from family life is the greatest challenge of our generation.”
The National Organization for Women (N.O.W) leaves no doubt to the feminist opinion of fathers. A December 3, 1999 N.O.W., Action Alert included this statement, “It’s a father’s presence, not his absence, that is harmful to kids.” www.alliance4lifemin.org/herestoyoudad.html
And following the feminist script to the letter — the NCV removes “father” an unbelievable 492 times! What do they have against fathers? Is “father” such an archaic outdated, word? Or is “father” too hard to understand?
And what “easy to read” (the primary purpose of the NCV and ICV) word do they replace our “fathers” with? 51 times the NCV replaces the simple, easy-to-read and understand “father” with the harder word “ancestor”.
Here’s an example of the “father-less ancestor” of the NCV in Acts 7:2
Acts 7:2
Stephen answered, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to Abraham, our ancestor, in Mesopotamia before he lived in Haran.Acts 7:2
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
The Greek word for “father” is “pater”. And “pater” is the direct descendent to our English word “father”. The etymology of “father” is Middle English fader, Old English f[ae]der; to Old German fater father, Latin pater, Greek patEr. In fact, the Latin word for “father” is the Greek “pater”.
To translate “pater” to “ancestor”, etc. is a deliberate MIS-translation to line up with politically correct, feminist agenda.
NO MORE BRETHREN
To line up with the politically-correct, feminist agenda the NCV completely divorces itself from the word “brethren”.
Most of the time the NCV replaces the word “brethren” with the words “brothers and sisters”. But there’s one little problem – just a little one — there is no known Greek manuscript on the planet with the Greek word “sisters” where “brethren” appears! But when did the Greek evidence ever affect the modern day Bible translators.
The NCV intentionally adds “sisters” to the God-given Greek text 118 times!
A few examples of the NCV “sisters” folly:
Notice, the first verse is a MIS quote of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 23:8, KJB
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.Matthew 23:8, NCV
“But you must not be called ‘Teacher,’ because you have only one Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters together.Acts 3:17, KJB
And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.Acts 3;17, NCV
“Brothers and sisters, I know you did those things to Jesus because neither you nor your leaders understood what you were doing.Acts 6:3, KJB
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.Acts 6:3, NCV
So, brothers and sisters, choose seven of your own men who are good, full of the Spirit and full of wisdom. We will put them in charge of this work.
FORNICATION: NOT FOUND
The NCV completely removes the word “fornication” (44 times).
Many times the NCV replaces the clear, definite, word fornication with vague, subjective, terms such as “sexual sins”, “sin sexually”, “any kind of sexual sin”. The big problem with such re-definitions (in addition that they are contrary to the Greek text) they are subjectively based on the reader’s “definition” of “sexual sin”. Ask 50 people what is a “sexual sin” and you’ll get 50 different answers, especially among teenagers. Who can forget the Bill Clinton fiasco and just what IS “sex”. No one misunderstands the word “fornication”.
A few examples of the NCV’s “sexual sins”:
Acts 15:20, KJB
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.Acts 15:20, NCV
Instead, we should write a letter to them telling them these things: Stay away from food that has been offered to idols (which makes it unclean), any kind of sexual sin, eating animals that have been strangled, and blood.1 Corinthians 6:18, KJB
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.1 Corinthians 6:18, NCV
So run away from sexual sin. Every other sin people do is outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies.Ephesians 5:3, KJB
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;Ephesians 5:3, NCV
But there must be no sexual sin among you, or any kind of evil or greed. Those things are not right for God’s holy people.
VIRGINS: AN ENDANGERED SPECIES
Besides three references to Mary (to please the Roman Catholics?), the NCV completely removes the word “virgin” from the New Testament (12 times). Is “virgin” an archaic, out-dated, hard to understand word? If anything, we ought to be adding more “virgins” rather than removing them! That’s exactly what our young people do not need – removing “virgins”. I wonder. . . Does the NCV and staff have a problem with “virgins”?
A few instances of the NCV’s removing “virgins”.
1 Corinthians 7:25, 28, 34, 36, 37 KJB
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful
. . .
28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
. . .
34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
. . .
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
1 Corinthians 7:25, 28, 34, 36, 37 NCV
25 Now I write about people who are not married. I have no command from the Lord about this; I give my opinion. But I can be trusted, because the Lord has shown me mercy.
. . .
28 But if you decide to marry, you have not sinned. And if a girl who has never married decides to marry, she has not sinned. But those who marry will have trouble in this life, and I want you to be free from trouble.
. . .
34 He must think about two things–pleasing his wife and pleasing the Lord. A woman who is not married or a girl who has never married is busy with the Lord’s work. She wants to be holy in body and spirit. But a married woman is busy with things of the world, as to how she can please her husband.
. . .
36 If a man thinks he is not doing the right thing with the girl he is engaged to, if she is almost past the best age to marry and he feels he should marry her, he should do what he wants. They should get married. It is no sin.
37 But if a man is sure in his mind that there is no need for marriage, and has his own desires under control, and has decided not to marry the one to whom he is engaged, he is doing the right thing.Acts 21:9, KJB
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.Acts 21:9, NCV
He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophesying.
By the way. . . There is a HUGE difference between a “virgin” and simply “unmarried” or “not married”. Maybe the NCV staff needs the average teenager to explain the difference.
THE GOSPEL. . . GONE. . . ALMOST
The NCV removes the word “gospel” 102 times. For some strange reason the NCV leaves the word “gospel” in only 2 places: Corinthians 9:13 and 2 Corinthians 11:4. Same Greek word. The NCV removes the “gospel” for the less authoritative and generic “good news”. If anyone believes “gospel” is archaic or hard to understand or outdated, a quick search at Amazon.com gives a gigantic 5491 hits.
A few “gospel-gone” examples:
1 Corinthians 15:1-2, KJB
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.1 Corinthians 15:1-2, NCV
1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want you to remember the Good News I brought to you. You received this Good News and continue strong in it.
2 And you are being saved by it if you continue believing what I told you. If you do not, then you believed for nothing.Mark 16:15, KJB
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.Mark 16:15, NCV
Jesus said to his followers, “Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone.
HELL. . . HAS TO GO
One of the words the new PERversions go mad to remove is the word “hell”. Got to get rid of that hard to understand, archaic and outdated word “hell”. The NCV extinguishes hell 39 times.
In some instances the NCV replaces “hell” with “depths”. The NCV’s generic “depths” leave the reader hanging. Depths of what? Depths of the deep blue sea. . .? Depths of the human heart. . .? Doesn’t that clear everything up? It’s ironic, for a Bible whose primary goal is to make the Bible easier to understand, they make it harder to understand. But does not all the modern new versions do the same?
Matthew 11:23, KJB
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.Matthew 11:23, NCV
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to the depths. If the miracles I did in you had happened in Sodom, its people would have stopped sinning, and it would still be a city today.
But the NCV’s favorite choice for “hell’s” replacement is the generic “death”. To seriously equate an eternal, burning, flaming hell with death or the grave is laughable.
Matthew 16:18, KJB
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Matthew 16:18, NCV
So I tell you, you are Peter. On this rock I will build my church, and the power of death will not be able to defeat it.Luke 16:23, KJB
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.Luke 16:23, NCV
In the place of the dead, he was in much pain. The rich man saw Abraham far away with Lazarus at his side.Revelation 1:18, NCV
I am the One who lives; I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys to death and to the place of the dead.Revelation 1:18, KJB
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
In Psalm 23:14, the NCV turns the parents admonition to discipline their children to save their soul from hell to “save them from death”.
Psalm 23:14, KJB
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.Psalm 23:14, NCV
If you spank them, you will save them from death.
C’mon. Disciplining your children will not “save them from death”! They will die – regardless. A direct contradiction to Hebrews 9:27!
Hebrews 9:27, KJB
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
How can anybody so pervert and distort the Word of God? No wonder people no longer believe the Bible is the Word of God – with these ridiculous PERversions polluting the land!
The NCV renders Psalm 9:17 into gibberish nonsense. From the “wicked shall be turned into hell. . .” they translate “Wicked people will go to the grave. . .” Hey – dummy. . . We ALL go to the grave! Not just the wicked.
Psalm 9:17, NCV
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.Psalm 9:17, KJB
Wicked people will go to the grave, and so will all those who forget God.
In Isaiah 14:15, Lucifer is not longer brought “down to hell” but simply to “the grave”. Hmm. . . I wonder who would do that?
Isaiah 14:15, KJB
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.Isaiah 14:15, NCV
But you were brought down to the grave, to the deep places where the dead are.
LUCIFER OR JESUS?
Speaking of Lucifer, or should I say NOT speaking of Lucifer – because Lucifer is not in the NCV! One of the most disgusting betrayals to the Lord Jesus Christ occurs in Isaiah 14:12. The NCV magically transforms “Lucifer” into the “morning star”. And who is the “morning star”? You guessed it. . . The Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 22:16! Wow! The NCV also says the “morning star” or the Lord Jesus, “fallen from heaven” Wow! That’s some pretty serious stuff!
Isaiah 14:12, KJB
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!Isaiah 14:12, NCV
King of Babylon, morning star, you have fallen from heaven, even though you were as bright as the rising sun! In the past all the nations on earth bowed down before you, but now you have been cut down.Revelation 22:16, KJB
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
There are many more problems inside the pages of the Church of Christ cult produced New Century Version.
| “ | He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. — John 12:48 |
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Editor’s Note: There is a web support group for people who have left the hard-lined Church of Christ churches at: http://ex-churchofchrist.com/index.htm
What kind of message is THE MESSAGE?
What kind of message is THE MESSAGE?Written in 1993 in response to several requests
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The Message DELETES the reference to God’s holy name, ADDS requests not voiced by Jesus, and changes the meaning of other verses. Follow the link and learn more about the phrase, “As above, so below.”
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Matthew 6:9-13 “Our Father in heaven, |
The Message: “Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best – Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! |
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The Message distorts the relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son: |
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John 10:30 “…The Father is greater than I.” |
The Message: “I and the Father are one heart and mind.” The Message: “The Father is the goal and purpose of my life.” |
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The Message distorts the nature of God: |
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| Romans 15:13: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power (His sovereign power and authority) of the Holy Spirit.” |
The Message: “Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! |
Riding a spreading tide of publicity and enthusiasm, Eugene Peterson’s The Message is sweeping into Christian bookstores, homes and churches from coast to coast. In the first four months after its mid-July lease, 100,000 copies of this “New Testament in contemporary English” were printed by NavPress. Seventy thousand books were sold. Thousands were either donated or distributed at reduced prices to youth leaders, Young Life staff, and pastors who could share Peterson’s message with their followers. Apparently, most readers were delighted. “The Message is so good it leaves me breathless,” writes popular author Madeleine L’Engle[1] in her endorsement.
Considering this ground-swell of acceptance, we do well to ponder the question: What is Peterson’s Message?
“The Message is the boldest and most provocative rendering of the New Testament I’ve ever read,” writes Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe, general director of “Back to the Bible” broadcast and former pastor of Moody Bible Church. “The Message is certainly destined to become a devotional classic – not to mention a powerful pastoral tool,” adds pastor Jack W. Hayford.
What does Eugene Peterson himself say? In his introduction to The Message, he tells us that “This version of the New Testament in a contemporary idiom keeps the language of the Message and fresh and understandable in the same language in which we do our shopping, talk with our friends, worry about world affairs, and teach our children their table manners….”
This sounds like a good idea, but what if essential Biblical concepts are not part of our everyday conversation? Should we then rewrite God’s holy Scriptures to fit today’s more shallow and worldly communications?
Remember, we are dealing with God’s holy unchangeable Word – not an ordinary book. God owns His message, we don’t. Only His own, well-guarded words can be presented as absolute truth. Yet, readers who trust NavPress and the endorsement of Christian leaders such Warren Wiersbe and J. I. Packer view this book as an authentic translation of the Bible rather than as Peterson’s personal, politically correct interpretation.
Throughout both Old and New Testaments, God forbids us to distort His Word. Additions and deletions are strictly forbidden in Scriptures like Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32, Proverbs 30:6, Galatians 1:8-9 and Revelation 22:19. Acts 17:11 exhorts us to learn from the Bereans who “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”
Eugene Peterson would probably agree. His own interpretation of 2 Corinthians 4:2 holds him accountable to this timeless standard:
“We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.”
While the above verse corresponds to the original Greek, many other passages do just what The Message promises not to do: they “twist God’s word to suit” human inclinations. In fact, the very next sentence (verses 3-4), fails the test. It does not “keep… the whole truth on display.” Instead, it deletes the original references both to “those who are perishing” and to the glory of “Christ, who is the image of God.”
It doesn’t take a Greek scholar to recognize the appalling distortions of God’s holy Word. Any Bible student willing to compare Peterson’s Message with a Greek/English Interlinear Lexicon and take time to look up key words in a credible New Testament Bible dictionary will discover alarming deletions, distortions and additions to the original text. If Peterson is right, then all our other Bibles – the KJV, NASV, NIV, Greek-English interlinear Bibles – are false.
See for yourself. We have compared quotes from The Message with corresponding Scriptures in Bible version generally considered “authoritative.” Most of the time, we have used the New International Version — not because we like the NIV or use it ourselves (we don’t), but because, in all fairness, we wanted to choose a standard version that would come closest to Eugene Peterson goal of an “understandable” language. Please check the difference yourself by comparing the passages below from The Message with your own Bible.
To emphasize differences, corresponding words and phrases are underlined. Please pray for discernment as you check the following additions and deletions:
* DELETES words that imply occult spirituality. SUBSTITUTES more finite, human influences:
| 1 Timothy 4:1 “…in later times some will abandon the faith and follow seducing spiritsand doctrines of demons.” (KJV) | The Message: “…as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars.” |
[We’re not just dealing with illusions. Deceiving spirits and the timeless doctrines of demons are far more effective in deceiving people than illusions and professional liars.]
* DELETES reference to “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” and “sinful nature” (the “flesh”):
| Ephesians 2:1-3: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature[2] and following its desires and thoughts.” | The Message: “It wasn’t so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat.” |
* MINIMIZES occult dangers, DELETES consequences:
| Thessalonians 2:9: “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” | The Message: “The Anarchist’s[3] coming is all Satan’s work. All his power and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them. And since they’re so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses in it – gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust truth, they’re banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.” |
[Peterson’s tendency to delete the supernatural and minimize the consequences of sin reminds me of Rom. 1:18 – “The wrath of God is being revealed…against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth…“]
* DELETES references to sinful nature and occult practices, minimizing Satan’s power:
| Galatians 5:19-21: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” | The Message: “It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religions; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved…. ugly parodies of community. I could go on.” |
[Idolatry and witchcraft are not the same as trinket gods and magic-show religions! We’re dealing with spiritual forces far greater than magical illusions.]
*SOUNDS like the song “Awaiting You All” by George Harrison (Beatles) through “chanting the names of the Lord:“
You don’t need a horoscope or a microscope to see the mess that you’re in
If you open up your heart You will know what I mean…
Now here’s a way for you to get clean
By chanting the names of the lord and you’ll be free
The lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see.
| Colossians 2:10: “…and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” | The Message: “You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him…” |
* DELETES words like adulterers and homosexual which identify specific sins and ADDS a politically correct reference to environmentalism.
(Recall the environmental terminology in Eph. 2:1-3, “filled your lungs with polluted unbelief…”)
| 1 Corinthians 6:9-11: “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders [sodomites] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified…” | The Message: “Unjust people who don’t care about God will not be joining in his kingdom. Those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it don’t qualify as citizens in God’s kingdom. A number of you know from experience what I’m talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then, you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start….” |
* DELETES reference to obedience and to the grace of our Lord:
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Romans 16:19-21. “Everyone has heard about your obedience [the Greek word consistently refers to obedience or obeying][4], so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” |
The Message: “And so while there has never been any question about your honesty in this matters – I couldn’t be more proud of you! – I want you also to be smart, making sure every “good” thing is the real thing. Don’t be gullible in regard to smooth-talking evil. Stay alert like this, and before you know it the God of peace will come down on Satan with both feet, stomping him into the dirt. Enjoy the best of Jesus!” |
* DELETES “sexual immorality.” ADDS “avoids commitment and intimacy:”
| 1 Corinthians 6:18-20: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” | The Message: “There’s more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much a spiritual mystery as a physical fact. As written in Scripture, ‘The two become one.’ Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever – the kind of sex that can never ‘become one.’ ….In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for ‘becoming one’ with another.”[5] |
[One could conclude that “commitment and intimacy” or “becoming one”, not marriage, set the boundaries for acceptable sex.]
* ADDS words that qualify homosexuality, providing a loophole for committed homosexuals who “love” each other. DELETES “God gave them over…”:
| Romans 1:26-27: “Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” | The Message: “Worse followed. Refusing to know God, they soon didn’t know how to be human either – women didn’t know how to be women, men didn’t know how to be men. Sexually confused, they abused and defiled one another, women with women, men with men – all lust, no love. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it – emptied of God and love, Godless and loveless wretcheds.” |
[This strange wording leaves a loophole for homosexuality to be permitted if it was an expression of love, not lust – which many gay couples claim today. In other words, lust becomes the sin, not the choice of a same-sex partner. The consequences of disobedience, “due penalty” seems broader than “emptied of God and love…” Historically it includes sexually transmitted diseases as well as spiritual death. That politically incorrect possibility is deleted here.]
* DISTORTS truth with a contemporary bias:
| Romans 3:19-20. “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law, rather through the law we become conscious of sin. | The Message: “This makes it clear, doesn’t it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says about others but to us to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place! and it’s clear enough, isn’t it, that we’re sinners, every one of us, in the same sinking boat with everyone else? Our involvement with God’s revelation doesn’t put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our complicity in everyone else’s sin.” |
[This interpretation endorses today’s false standard of tolerance: Don’t expose or criticize another person; just deal with your own sin. It defies God’s guidelines concerning counseling, correction, restoration and accountability – and supports today’s tendency to condone sin. See Romans 1:32 – but not in The Message. It deletes this important point.]
* DELETES “spiritual” – spiritual readiness to receive God’s resources for ministry.[6] SUBSTITUTES “live creatively,” usually a reference to human resources, not God’s:
| Galatians 6:1-2: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.” | The Message: “Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out.” |
* DELETES references to submission. ADDS marital equality:
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1 Peter 3:1, 7: “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands… Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life…”
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The Message: “The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands,responsive to their needs… The same goes for you husbands: Be good husbands to your wives. Honor them, delight in them. As women they lack some of your advantages. But in the new life of God’s grace, you’re equals. Treat your wives, then, as equals….” |
* DELETES references to sexual immorality, repentance, tolerating sin, the God who searches hearts and minds…
| Revelation 2:22: “I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. so I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds…” | The Message: “But why do you let that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet mislead my dear servants into Cross-denying, self-indulging religion? I gave her a chance to change her ways, but she has not intention of giving up a career in the god-business. I’m about to lay her low, along with her partners, as they play their sex-and-religion games. The bastard offspring of their idol-whoring I’ll kill. Then every church will know that appearances don’t impress me.” |
* MISLEADING emphasis:
| Romans 15:4-5. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God…” | The Message: “Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written forus. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personalcounsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir… our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God…” |
[No mention of endurance and hope – which implies triumph in the midst of suffering, as we remain confident that God will do all He has promised. In light of Peterson’s tendency to minimize the disciplining side of God, his emphasis on a warm, feel-good God seems to distort God’s revelation of Himself. Notice, “follow Christ Jesus” is replaced by a Jesus who “gets along with us.”]
* REPLACES “reconciliation” (a spiritual work based on the cross) with “friend.”
ADDS “drop their differences” (Could he be promoting a PC form of unity?):
| 2 Corinthians 5:20: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.“ | The Message: “We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.” |
* ADDS a promise not found in the original Greek:
| Romans 8:35-37: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” | The Message: “Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:” |
The last passage seems consistent with Peterson’s refusal to mention those “worst sins” in the various New Testament lists of fleshly expressions. It also helps explain his commendation of medieval mystic Julian of Norwich, whose teachings – often quoted by controversial priest Matthew Fox, founder of Creation Spirituality – fueled the fourteenth-century flowering of pantheistic mysticism. In his article titled “Spirit Quest”[7] (Christianity Today, 11-8-93), Peterson wrote, “Single-minded, persevering faithfulness confirms the authenticity of our spirituality. The ancestors we look to for encouragement in this business – Augustine of Hippo and Julian of Norwich, John Calvin…. Teresa of Avila – didn’t flit. They stayed.”
Since Julian of Norwich is a spiritual model to the man who has interpreted God’s Word for today, let’s take a look at what she believed. Indeed, her teachings seem to echo some of the cultural biases that thread through The Message. They also fit today’s uncritical search for experiential, feeling-centered spirituality. In his book, Soul Friend, Kenneth Leech describes some of her convictions:
“Because she held strongly this belief in the closeness of man and God, Julian has an optimistic assessment of man and the universe, and a belief that sin is relatively unimportant... Moreover she claims that ‘God showed me that sin need be no shame to man but can even be worthwhile.’ She seems to mean by this that sins are disguised virtues, for ‘in heaven what sin typifies is turned into a thing of honor.’[8]
“ …In Julian’s theology, we find the fullest expression of the concept of the femininity of God. ‘God is really our Mother as he is Father,’ she says. ‘Our precious Mother Jesus brings us to supernatural birth, nourishes and cherishes us by dying for us, giving us the sacrament…. Her mysticism brings tenderness and ‘homeliness’ to the understanding of God our Mother.[9] (Emphasis added)
The same article introduces another spiritual model. Peterson writes that “Baron Friedrich von Hugel, a Roman Catholic layperson, was one of the most respected spiritual directors in England in the early years of this century.” He devotes an entire paragraph to this leader whom the Encyclopedia Britannica[10] describes as “the precursor of the realist revival in philosophy and of the theological study of religious feeling.”[11]
Like the culture around us, many churches today seem to emphasize good feelings and subjective experience rather than uncompromising faith based on God’s revealed truth – the only foundation for a mature relationship with God. Peterson’s definition for spirituality in his article seems to reflect this drift from solid rock to shifting sand – along with an alarming focus on self rather than God:
“Intimacy: we want to experience human love and trust and joy. Transcendence: we want to experience divine love and trust and joy… We hunger for divine meaning, someone who willbless us. And so spirituality, a fusion of intimacy and transcendence, overnight becomes a passion for millions of North Americans…. It is heartening that our continent is experiencing a recovery of desire to embrace intimacies and respond to transcendence….” (Emphasis added)[12]
Peterson rightly points out the need to discriminate “between the true and false” as people “ransack exotic cultures and esoteric groups in a search for wholeness.”[13] But what does he mean when he tells his readers to acquire “a biblical imagination – entering into the vast world of the Bible and getting a feel for the territory, an instinct for reality.” What part did his imagination play in the formation of The Message? (See Shepherds & Prophets who mislead their flock )
The inspired scribes of God’s holy Word documented facts and observations. They were led by the Holy Spirit, not personal imagination. God was the Creator, not man. No one should know this better than J. I. Packer, the beloved author of Knowing God. Yet in his endorsement of The Message, he uses the same questionable terms — words popularized by the New Age quest for personal empowerment and unbiblical energies. “In this crowded world of Bible versions,” writes Packer, “Eugene Peterson’s blend of accurate scholarship and vivid idiom make this rendering both distinctive and distinguished. The Message catches the logical flow, personal energy, and imaginative overtones of the original very well indeed.”
What does Packer mean? Does the Bible really have imaginative overtones?
Peterson’s introduction to Revelation gives that impression. He identifies John as a pastor on Patmos, who “is preeminently concerned with worship” — not sharing God-given visions of end-time events. This first century pastor is also “a poet, fond of metaphor and symbol, image and allusion” who challenges “our intelligence and imagination.”
Historical facts and absolute truth made the Bible unique among the world’s religious documents. Pagan myths, on the other hand, spring from imagination, personal feelings and mysticalexperiences. Yet, the author of The Message repeatedly stresses the latter. He writes, “We are after what we came for in the first place: intimacy and transcendence, personal friends and a personal God, love and worship.”[14]
It seems paradoxical that someone who desires intimacy with God, would minimize or ignore the main obstacles to that intimacy: our sinful nature, our specific sins and our lack of submission and obedience to God. Could an answer to this paradox lie in the strange spirituality he propounds in his article?
I realize that Peterson’s intent was “to recapture the tone” and subtleties of the Greek language. Whether or not he achieved that (personally I believe that his language reflects neither the heart of Jesus nor His followers’ fiery devotion to a holy sovereign God and the integrity of His Word), this noble goal can never be an excuse for “dumbing-down”[15] Scripture to match our culture’s downward trends. The fact that essential Biblical terms are no longer part of our everyday conversation doesn’t give us license to soften God’s message. Shouldn’t we rather aim to use Scriptures to lift our communications to the level where our language reflects the eternal perspective of God’s revealed truth? That seems to be the exhortation of Deuteronomy 6:4-7 and 2 Timothy 3:16. When we simplify Scripture by removing its mysteries, controversies and exhortations toward God’s highest, we demean our Lord and misinform believers.
Some might ask, “Who are you to question the wisdom and scholarship of respected Church leaders?”
The sad fact is that shepherds and leaders throughout history have turned from truth to embrace “new” teachings. We are all called to “examine Scriptures” and test our leaders as did the Bereans and Ephesians.[16] Our ability to exercise this kind of discernment comes from the Holy Spirit – as God tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:5: “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant.” (NASV) Sad to say, Peterson deleted this wonderful promise of God’s sufficiency for any task He assigns us.
“But isn’t most of The Message accurate?” ask some. Probably. So is the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible. However, it only takes the distortion of a few key passages to reflect an entirely different message. When any part — even “the smallest letter” — of God’s Word is changed, the integrity of the whole is lost.
If The Message is accepted as Biblical truth, three distortions of New Testament teachings could spread and permeate the Church, conforming “truth” to popular consensus and false unity:
- Since God is love, He wouldn’t be so cruel as to cause someone to suffer, perish or burn in hell. So don’t mention Biblical consequences or punishment.
- Since God forgives, don’t be too concerned about specific sins such as homosexuality or adultery. Jesus wouldn’t want you to offend someone.
- Since God is tolerant, don’t correct others. Be tolerant of all, except those who criticize something you like. (This politically correct attitude censors much-needed rational, objective criticism as a corrective force.)
The consequences of twisting God’s holy Word are devastating.[17] Throughout history, whenever God’s people followed distorted teaching and ignored genuine truth, they would compromise with popular culture and drift back to earth-centered spirituality. It’s happening all around us today. The masks for timeless paganism – whether they are Babylonian, Canaanite, Roman or Native American – make little difference. All these polytheistic/pan-theistic/monistic belief systems mocked God and established deadly connection between gullible seekers and demonic spirits. Today’s most seductive masks bear an alarming resemblance to Christianity. History documents the results – both personal and cultural: a tragic blend of plagues, drought, famine and wars. (I document these in Under the Spell of Mother Earth.) Humanism was often an intermediary step (see Psalm 12:4) and continues to provide an effective tool for banishing God until spiritual hunger draws people to all kinds of pagan, earth-centered alternatives. Romans 1 outlines this timeless slide.
The signs of compromise are multiplying – even in God’s churches. Congregations have traded truth for myth and Mother Earth for God our Father. Sunday school curricula teach Native American shamanism and equate the Creator with the Great Spirit. Gay pastors teach spiritual guidelines, and children’s pastors teach Bible “truths” through comical skits that mock God.
What we need is truth – the whole truth and nothing but. Yet Peterson, willing to use words like consecration and antithetical, refuses to use the word sanctification and deletes “holy is your name” from the Lord’s prayer. How can we cry over sin and apostasy when the holiness of God is concealed from His Word?
As we face an explosion of false teachings and spiritual substitutes both in churches and in the world around us, we had better be faithful stewards. It’s time to awaken all God’s people to test, guardand follow the truth our King has committed to us. Therefore,
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ… Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5
For a closer look at America’s rejection of truth and growing fascination with all kinds of myths – from seductive distortions of the Bible to the world’s earth-centered religions – read A Twist of Faith.
Endnotes:
[1]Author of Newberry winner A Wrinkle in Time and many other books filled with occult imagery and psychic practices such as kything – a form of mental telepathy and communication between people, trees and any other part of creation. Kything is growing in popularity within God’s churches, especially among women.
[2]Sinful nature, a condition dealt with by the cross, is not the same as “doing what we felt like doing….”
[3]The lawless one is not an Anarchist. He will despise God’s law but enforce plenty of his own laws and regulations.
[4]The New Englishman’s Greek Concordance of the New Testament (Wilmington, Delaware: Associated Publishers & Authors, 1972), 772.
[5]This may sound good but makes me uneasy. This sacredness of the body and the goal of “becoming one” fits right into New Age and Neo-pagan views of the physical body and sex. It seems to me the NIV reference to oneness is a warning that we not become one with the wrong person (v. 16) – not a standard for immorality. Nor do commitment and intimacy define the Biblical boundaries for sex. Whether or not Peterson intended to use these terms rather than the NIV’s prostitute to define right or wrong sex, it could be easily be understood that way.
[6]Apparently “spiritual” refers to those who are filled with – and walking in – the spirit, thus ready to allow God to work through him.
[7]Peterson may not have realized that the title of his article, “Spirit Quest,” is the name given to the Native American initiation into adulthood. Indian youth still journey into the wilderness to connect with their guardian spirits or animal spirits. This occult ritual is promoted in classrooms nationwide and spiritual seekers flock to America’s sacred “power places” (Sedona, Mt. Shasta, Alberta…) in search of their personal spirit guide. Today, unlike a decade ago, the demonic personalities respond quickly to the summons – with devastating consequences to the host. Psychologists in Alberta, Canada, face an explosion of tormenting “multiple personalities” among gullible spiritual seekers and testify to acceleration of demonic activity in the area. This is no time to minimize the power of Satan, the destructiveness of sin, or the overcoming power of God.
[8]An Introduction to Christian Mysticism, Lectures given at the Abbey of Gethsemani, MS. (1961), 145. Quoted by Kenneth Leech, Soul Friend (HarperSanFrancisco, 1992), 146.
[9]Roy Bailey and Mike Brake, Radical Social Work (1975), 1. Quoted by Leech, 147.
[10]Encyclopedia Britannica, XI (Chicago: William Benton, 1968), 810.
[13]Ibid.
[14]Ibid., 29.
[15]An expression used often to describe what is happening in public education, where teaching is geared to the lowest common denominator.
[16]Acts 17:11, Revelation 2:2
[17]Personal consequences are listed in Scriptures like Gal. 1:8-9; 2 Peter 3:16 and Rev. 22:18-19.
[Article Reprinted with Permission]
by Bert Kjos 2003
www.crossroad.to
Original Source: http://www.crossroad.to/Bible_studies/Message.html
The Message [Bible]: Mystic Mess
| Dr. Terry Watkins | Dial-the-Truth Ministries |
[Article reprinted with permission]
| With today’s epidemic of Bible per-versions spreading like a runaway virus, nothing should shock us . . . but buckle up! If you have any spiritual pulse, Eugene Peterson’sThe Message will shock you. The Message promotes the mystical New Age message with a boldness never seen in a mainstream Bible. The Message has sold over 10 million copies and has continually ranked among the top five best-selling Bibles. The Message website (www.navpress.com) displays endorsements from such prominent Christians as Billy Graham, Chuck Swindoll, Christianity Today, Dan Quayle, Bill Hybels, Gordon Fee, J.I. Packer, Jack Hayford, Jerry Jenkins, Jerry Savelle, John Maxwell, Max Lucado, Richard Foster, Rick Warren, Rod Parsley, Tony Campolo and Warren Wiersbe, among many others.This article will barely scratch the surface of the mystic New Age religion filling The Message. And this article only examines the New Age mysticism in The Message, we do not examine the treason against the Deity of Jesus Christ, salvation and scores of other fundamental doctrines. Note: We’ll refer to the King James Bible as KJB, the New Age Movement as NAM, and The Message Bible as The Mess.
The first blast from The Mess attacks the “Lord.” The “Lord” occurs a whopping 7970 times in the KJB — more than any other noun. Of the 8,000-plus different words used in the KJB, the “Lord” ranks 14th among the most occurrences (number 13 is the single letter “a”). Only helper words such as “the”; “of”; “in”; “to”; et. al. occur more often. The Mess contains the “Lord” only 71 times! The “Lord” ranks 1087th among words in The Mess. It appears the same number of times as words like “question” or “reputation.” In the New Testament, (ironically, the Testament of the “Lord” Jesus Christ) the “Lord” appears a skimpy 23 times in The Mess. The Mess NEVER directly honors Jesus Christ as Lord. The “Lord Jesus” occurs 118 times in the King James Bible. The “Lord Jesus Christ” occurs 84 times in the King James Bible. The phrase “Lord Jesus Christ” or “Lord Jesus” is not in The Mess! The outright denial of the “Lord” Jesus has never occurred in ANY translation. Let us clarify something . . . the total amputation of the “Lord Jesus” is no accident. It is not an issue of translation or Greek manuscripts. It is not a matter of updating archaic words or making it easier to understand. It was a deliberate and intentional doctrinal decision to remove the “Lord Jesus.”
It is interesting that Judas Iscariot never calls Jesus “Lord.” The Bible states 13 times Judas “betrayed” the Lord Jesus; Judas was possessed of Satan (Luke 22:3); Jesus Christ calls Judas “a devil” (John 6:70); Jesus calls Judas the “son of perdition” (John 17:12 – which is also the title of the antichrist in 2 Thess. 2:3). The Bible describes hell as Judas’ “own place” (Acts 1:25).
Judas always addressed Jesus as “Master” — never “Lord.” Following the footsteps of Judas the “betrayer,” the Mess also “betrays” the Lord, always calling Jesus “Master” – never “Lord”! Another partner in the “Master Jesus” plan is the New Age religion. The root of the New Age Movement (NAM) teaches during various “ages,” teachers or guides arise called “Masters.” Helena Blavatsky, the guru of the modern-day New Age Movement, wrote extensively of these enlightened “masters.” In the 1980’s, the book Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow by Constance Cumbey, exposed the New Age Movement. Mrs. Cumbey defines the mystic new age as:
In his best selling book, A Crash Course on the New Age Movement, author Elliot Miller describes the new age Jesus as:
Second only to Blavatasky in the New Age hierarchy, is Alice Bailey. Author Constance Cumbey says Bailey, “. . . did more than anyone, except perhaps H. P. Blavatsky, to build the foundations for the ‘New Age’.” (Cumbey, Constance, Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, p. 49) In 1922 Alice Bailey formed Lucifer Trust Publishing, which was later renamed to the subtle Lucis Trust Publishing. Bailey wrote extensively on the “Master Jesus.” The following quote are but one of the hundreds of references to the New Age “Master Jesus”:
New age researchers quickly discover the Jesus of the New Age is not the “Lord” Jesus but “Master” Jesus:
The Mess calls Jesus “Master” over 400 times and the unique New Age phrase “Master Jesus” appears 76 times! The only other Bible I found “Master Jesus” in was the New Age Bible titled The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ! The following examples (among many) of the “Master Jesus” in The Mess loudly echo the Judas-inspired, New Age doctrine of the “Master Jesus.”
The Bible in 1 Corinthians 12:3 warns against spiritual counterfeits such as The Mess that deny Jesus is the “Lord.” Notice how the Mess attempts to cover its tracks by perverting the same verse.
Not content with propagating the NAM “Master Jesus,” The Mess continues its “master” plan. The “Lord God” occurs 546 times in the King James Bible. The “Lord God” briefly appears 9 times in the Mess. The Mess replaces the “Lord God” with “Master God.” I could not find the “Master God” in any other Bible version. Again, notice the new age, mystic tone of the “Master God” in the Mess.
The Mess travels to “loony land” deleting the “Lord.” Rather than correctly translate the “Lord God,” The Mess crafts the gobbledygook phrase “God, God.” It also deceitfully slips in a comma attempting to justify the goofy Mess.
The NAM identifies their “Masters” as “divine guardians” and “custodians of the Divine Plan.” The New-Age Tara Center describes the “Masters” as “custodians” of the Divine Plane:
In Deuteronomy 32:8, the Mess also references these “divine guardians” who “care for the Earth.” This is not Bible Christianity. And this is not in the Hebrew text! Notice the complete change from the King James Bible.
The New Age Movement revolves around the “One.” Riplinger writes in New Age Versions: “Virtually all exposes on the New Age Movement observe ‘the One’ is thismovement’s object of worship.” (Riplinger, G.A. New Age Versions, p. 85) New Age guru H.P. Blavatsky teaches the NAM begins with “the One”:
In the following quote Blavatsky states Jehovah and the Serpent [Satan] that tempted Eve both are the “One”.
The One theology stems from pantheism. The word Pantheism derives from the Greek words pan meaning “all” and theos meaning “god.” Pantheism teaches God is All and All is God or “One”. It rejects a personal, loving God, instead defining God as “Presence” or “One.” Infoplease defines “pantheism” as “a denial of God’s personality and expresses a tendency to identify God and nature.” The god Pan appears as a cloven-foot, half-man, half-goat satyr playing the hypnotic “pan pipes.” (Ezek. 28:13) Occultist Albert Pike describes Satan as “. . . the mythologic and horned form of the God Pan. . .” (Pike, Morals and Dogma, p. 102) The Satanic Bible (p. 144) also includes Pan in its list of Infernal Names of Satan. Hence, a pan-theist follows Satan. During a NAM meeting in Boulder, New Age leader Jose Arguelles told his listeners to, “. . . invite “PAN” in, accepting him as the leader and guide for their lives. . . that ‘right now Mother Earth is bringing Pan back to save us and lead us into the New Age. We can help by surrendering to him. . .” (www.raidersnewsupdate.com/gaia.htm) Make no mistake — Pan is the “One” of the New Age religion. The New Testament of the King James Bible never refers to God or the Lord Jesus as the impersonal One. Several times Jesus Christ is called the Holy One and the Just One, but never an impersonal, mystic One. The Mess changes the personal pronouns such as he and him (that reference Jesus and God) and personal nouns such as the Father, with the impersonal pantheistic “One” over 102 times in the New Testament! The following verses from The Mess loudly resonant the New Age “One” mantra.
Building upon the “One” concept, a distinct code-word among the mystic New Agers is “oneness.”
“Oneness” is an unusual and bizarre word, not appearing in most dictionaries. Only New Agers recognize the “oneness” teaching. Following the mystic New Age “Oneness” script, The Mess says in Ephesians 4:6, “Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness“. The word “permeate” means “spread throughout” or “to penetrate”. According to The Mess, “Everything you are and think and do is spread throughout with Oneness.” Make no mistake about it — this is heavy-duty New Age doctrine. The New Age guidebook Metaphysical Primer: A Guide to Understanding Metaphysics gives nearly the exact same principle of the New Age Movement, “Everything is one with everything else. All that is on Earth is an expression of the One Deity and is permeated with Its energies.” (Yungen, Ray. A Time of Departing, p. 52) The Mess doesn’t stop there. It continues to spread the New Age “Oneness.”
Another “oneness” term the New Age Religion exercises is “interdependence.” Constance Cumbey writes in The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, “Another key teaching of this movement is that all things are ‘interconnected’ or ‘interdependent’”. (Cumbey, Constance, The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow, p. 67) Cult author Dr. Walter Martin, identifies “interdependence” as a New Age “buzz-word” used to “describe the oneness”.
Like a hypnotized cobra being charmed by the sweet sound of the piper, The Mess serenely dances to the New Age Piper (Ezek. 28:13) while singing the song of interdependence.
Another key New Age teaching surrounds “the Presence.” The NAM “Presence” forms a mystic, impersonal pantheist “presence” of God. The following quotes reveal the importance of the “Presence” in the New Age agenda.
Alice Bailey reveals the “Presence” strikes a blow at the Biblical “transcendent” God or a God that exists apart from nature and man.
The Mess refers to God at least 34 times as the NAM “Presence.” Teaching the God of the Bible as a mystic Presence constitutes blatant blasphemy. This can only be defined within a New Age viewpoint. In sharp contrast, remember, the Mess NEVER directly refers to Jesus as Lord. The following verses (of many) echo the NAM mystic “Presence” of the Mess:
The Mess calls the sacred “shewbread” as the mystic “Bread of the Presence” eight times [Ex. 25:30, 35:13, 39:36, 1 Sam. 21:6, 1 Kings 7:48, 2 Chron. 4:19, 29:18].
Energy activates the spiritual “force” of the New Age religion. Prayers, meditations, invocations, and rituals all create energies.
Alice Bailey references “energy” over 1029 in the Rays and The Initiations. New Age disciple and popular, folk-rocker Tori Amos, defines this New Age energy as Lucifer, while readily confessing her love and worship of Lucifer.
The Mess explicitly promotes the NAM mystical “energy.” Energy appears 40 times in The Mess. Note: Energy only appears one time in some of the other per-versions. The Mess leaves no doubt concerning its faith in the New Age “energy” force. In Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:28, the Mess changes “pray” to “the energies of prayer.” Apparently, God no longer answers our prayers, instead, the prayer itself, generates “the energy.” The Bible definition of prayer means “to ask.” (Matthew 21:22)
Mark 5:30 and Luke 16:19 no longer reads “virtue” leaving the Lord Jesus, but “energy discharging” or “surging” from him.
The following are a few more (of many) undeniable NAM “energy” doctrine in the Mess:
A casual study of the New Age religion quickly exposes their light-god. A best selling New Age book of the 90’s was Embraced by the Light by Betty Eadie. Light is the cornerstone of NAM. The popular new age prayer called The Great Invocation by Alice Bailey, (originally published by Lucifer Publishing), begins with the words, “From the point of Light within the Mind of God Marilyn Ferguson, states in her best-selling New-Age guidebook, The Aquarian Conspiracy:
The guiding light of NAM is Lucifer, which means “light bearer.” Hence, new age disciples proudly label themselves, “light bearers.” The Dictionary of Word Origins by John Ayto, under the listing for “Lucifer,” simply says “see LIGHT.” (p. 329) The definition for “light” then reads “. . . Latin lux ‘light’ which English gets Lucifer, literally ‘light bearer’.” (Ayto, John. Dictionary of Word Origins, p. 323) 2 Corinthians 11:14, says, “. . . Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” In Luke 10:18, Jesus Christ says, “. . . I beheld Satan as lightning . . .” The following excerpts from New Age material testify of their “light” god:
The Mess is flooded with the mystic NAM “light.” The Mess adds “light” when light is not in the text. It magically transforms simple “light” into NAM “God-light” or “Life-light.” The following verses from The Mess compared with the KJB clearly reveal the NAM “light” agenda.
Lucifer literally means “light bearer.” And New Agers, who recognize Lucifer as their god, proudly wear the title “light-bearer.”
The Mystic Mess also claims the Luciferian New Age banner, “light-bearer.”
Another well-known NAM term is “light-seeds.” And again (and again. . .), The Mess preaches NAM agenda.
Anyone familiar with New Age and Eastern mysticism knows the importance of the lotus. H.P. Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine contains a chapter titled “The Lotus as a Universal Symbol.” The Secret Doctrine, directly mentions the mystic lotus over 80 times. In Alice Bailey’s A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, the lotus carries over 249 references. No symbol is more sacred in the New Age mysticism than the lotus. Blavatsky describes the “Lotus” god of the New Age.
The New Age Aquarian Gospel of Jesus, crowns Jesus with the “Lotus wreath.”
The Dictionary of Symbolism states the sacred “lotus blossom” originated from “primordial ooze” and arose to become “the divine creator of the world.”
The Mess writes the most blasphemous and openly New Age propaganda ever recorded in a mainstream Bible. The Mess transforms the Lord Jesus from the “lily of the valley” to the mystic “lotus blossom from the valley pools.”
Notice the Mess degrades the beautiful “rose of Sharon” to a crude “wildflower picked from the plains of Sharon.” In Micah 7:14, The Mess performs more New Age magick. It transforms “midst of Carmel” into a blatant new age phrase “centered in lotus land.”
In Romans 15:13, the Mess contains the most bizarre statement ever in a mainstream Bible.
Who is the “God of green hope”? The “green hope” originated with the hellish, human sacrificing, Druids. The publication Talks on Freemasonry states, “Green was, with the Druids, a symbol of hope and the virtue of hope with a Freemason illustrates the hope of immortality.” (Kenneth Tuckwood, Talks on Freemasonry) The “green hope” mantra is a popular rallying cry in the new age Mother-Earth environmental movement. In NAM “green” signifies Oneness with the Earth, hence the title of William Anderson’s book, Green Man: The Archetype of Our Oneness with the Earth.
Chanting occupies a central role in paganism and mysticism. The popular book, Chant and be Happy, featuring former Beatle and Krishna disciple George Harrison states, “By serving GOD through each thought, word, and DEED, and by chanting HIS Holy Names, the devotee quickly develops God-consciousness.” Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, defines “chanting” as: “The continuous recitation of a mantra. . . which helps one achieve an altered state of conscious, ecstasy, communion with the divine. . .” (Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical & Paranormal Experience, p. 92). The word “chant” occurs only one time (Amos 6:5) in the KJB and refers to idolatry. The mystic Mess includes “chant” 9 times. (Jdg 5:11; Psa 35:15; Psa 71:24; Jer 9:10; Jer 51:14; Eze 26:17; Eze 32:16 (3 times); Rev 4:8; Rev 4:10) In Revelation 4, the four and twenty elders (vs 10) and the four beasts (vs 8), before the throne of God, are “chanting.”
As the name implies, the New Age religion teaches a series of “ages.” The Mess promotes the New Age religion with the phrases “age after age” (Rev. 4:9; 4:10; 14:11) and “age after age after age” (Psalm 72:5; Rev. 5:13; 22:5).
A popular New Age, Oneness-Pantheistic, teaching says, “as above, so below.” New Age Journal published a book titled As Above, So Below. The Introduction says, “’As above, so below’ means that the two worlds are instantaneously seen to be one when we realize our essential unity with God. . . . The One and the many, time and eternity are all One.” (New Age Journal, So Above, So Below, p. xi) The Mess quietly transforms the hallowed “Lord’s Prayer” into a New Age “as above, so below” invocation. In Matthew 6:10, The King James begins with the familiar, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” The mystic Mess reads, “Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. Set the world right; Do what’s best– as above, so below.” The Bible says in Psalm 119:140, “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” Note. The following verses from The Message include vulgar and offensive language. I recognize the sensitivity of my readers, but The Message is heavily marketed towards the youth by scores of Contemporary Christian Musicians, including CDs of verses from The Message. The only accurate way to expose this filth is to show the verses. Remember this is a “Bible” recommended by tons of prominent Christian leaders! When the King James Bible describes intimate relationships and immoral behavior there remains a careful wholesome tone in its wording. It doesn’t sugar-coat the sin, but it doesn’t smell with the stench of the world. Contrary to the pure Words of God – the Mess wallows in the sewers of smut. The Mess smells of “sex, sex, and more sex.”
The word “sex” appears 199 times, (remember the “lord” appears only 71 times). The Mess contains enough “sex” to satisfy even Hugh Hefner. There is sexual intercourse (Jdg 21:11); sex goddess (2Ki 21:7); sexual predators (Job 24:15); sexual excesses (Job 36:14); sex shrines (Jer 5:7); sluttish sex (Eze 16:24); sex orgies (Eze 16:26); sexual prowess (Eze 23:21); obsessive sex (Eze 23:49); filthy sex (Eze 24:13); loose sex (Hos 4:2); drunk on sex (Hos 4:12); sex-worship (Hos 4:19); popular sex gods (Hos 11:2); lewd sex-worship (Hos 13:1); sacred sex-and-power centers (Mic 5:14); sexual orgies (Hab 2:15); sexually confused (Rom 1:27); sexual transmission (Rom 9:8); scandalous sex (1Co 5:1); sexually promiscuous (1Co 5:9); sexual sins (1Co 6:18); sexual relations (1Co 7:1); sexual drives (1Co 7:2); sexually tortured life (1Co 7:9); sexual disorder (2Co 12:21); cheap sex (Gal 5:19); sexual obsession (Eph 4:19); casual and illicit sex (Heb 13:4); sexual filth (2Pe 2:7); sexual rack and ruin (Jud 1:7); dirty sex (Jud 1:8); and sex peddlers (Rev 21:8). Note: most of the above phrases occur several times. The Mess routinely uses crude words such as “genitals,” “semen”, “slut,” and “streetwalking whore.”
Jeremiah 8:13 even quotes a Holy God calling Israel “a slut.” Notice the wording of the King James Bible.
In Ezekiel 16:24, The Mess spews the most vulgar and crude language ever recorded in a mainstream Bible:
While “sex, sex, and more sex” floods the Mess, the sodomites disappear. The “men” of Sodom in Genesis 13:13 are now “people of Sodom.” The Mess completely pardons the “sodomites,” replacing them with the inoffensive and meaningless “sacred prostitutes.” The Bible admonishes us to, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. . .” (Eph. 4:29) The Mess routinely speaks “corrupt communication” with some curse words in its pages. “Damn” appears many times in precarious settings.
Nothing seems sacred to the Mess, even descending to using the “G.D.” word.
Notice how different the words of God’s tender compassion found in the King James Bible in Micah 3:5:
Like this “present evil world,” The Mess enjoys perverting and redefining the word “hell.”
And there’s a lot more filth in The Mess. . . This tract contains just a small drop in the mystic and malignant poison infecting the Mystic Message. I’m reminded of Ronald Reagan’s eloquent critique of the Good News Bible during his famous radio address on September 6. 1977. Comparing the Good New Bible to the King James Bible, President Reagan closed with these insightful words:
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