Those Who Rewrite the Bible
by Luther W. Martin
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 22 No. 1, March 1996
Just as we now encounter citizens who would rewrite the history of the Second World War, so we also have individuals and organizations that are actually attempting to rewrite Holy Scripture!
Earlier in 1995, I prepared an article illustrating how the Judean Version of the New Testament, published by the Judean Publishing House, Jerusalem, Israel, was trying to exonerate the Jewish race from their part in the crucifixion of Christ, the Son of God.
"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and Roman hands have crucified and slain him" (Acts 2:23 Judean Version). (Instead of "and by wicked hands ye have... slain," they insert the word "Roman," for which there is not an iota of textual evidence!
More recently, in June 1995, the American Bible Society has fired another salvo in defense of the Jews by issuing the Contemporary English Version. A second organization, the American Interfaith Institute, embraces and endorses this "Contemporary Version." The Interfaith Institute is composed of "Christian theologians who are committed to 'clarifying the anti-Jew-ish statements found in the scriptures.'"
"...Until the scriptures are translated more factually in all editions of the Bible, misinformation and hate will be handed down to future generations and the tides of violence will rise again and again and again." [Quoting from his article, in Explorations, Vol. 9, No. 3, 1995, An Historic Bible Translation, by Irvin J. Borowsky],
The basic goal of both the "Institute" and the "Contemporary English Version" seems to be that of nullifying the Jews’ oath: "His blood be on us, and on our children" (Matthew 27:25).
Borowsky’s article continues:
"Let us join together to extend our outreach and resources to other Bible publishers. Let us help them understand that the use of the word ’Jew’ in the exclusive sense as the enemy of Jesus represents a misguided, incorrect and, ultimately, harmful castigation of an entire people. I invite you to be part of one of the most exciting intellectual and educational developments of our time --one that celebrates language based on historical truth."
Samples from the "Contemporary English Version"
- "Jesus decided to leave Judea and to start going through Galilee because the leaders of the people wanted to kill him" (John 7:1 Contemporary English Version).
"After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him" (John 7:1 New King James Version).
(Thus, substituting the word ’leaders’ in place of the word ’Jews’).
- "But the people were afraid of the leaders and none of them talked in public about him" (John 7:13 CEV).
"However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews" (John 7:13 NKJV).
(Again substituting ’leaders’ for ’Jews’).
- "The man’s parents said this because they were afraid of their leaders. The leaders had already agreed that no one was to have anything to do with anyone who said Jesus was the Messiah" (John 9:22 CEV).
"His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was the Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue" (John 9:22 NKJV).
(Substituting ’leaders’ twice, in lieu of ’Jews’ twice.)
- "They answered, ’We are not stoning you because of any good thing you did’" (John 10:33 CEV).
"The Jews answered Him, saying, ’For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God'" (John 10:33 NKJV).
(’They’ used in place of ’Jews’).
American Bible Society Now Exonerating the Jews!
This latest translation effort of the American Bible Society alters and ignores any known Greek text of the New Testament!
The Pope and the Roman Catholic Church are now tending to do the same, by ending their opposition to Judaism!
We, who claim to respect and follow the God-breathed Holy Scriptures, must become aware of this development and be prepared to oppose it!
