Sex Neutral Bible
 

Sex-neutral Bible is in the works
By Richard N. Ostling, The Associated Press

The International Bible Society said Monday that America's best-selling modern Bible is about to get an update using sex-neutral wording, despite past criticism of that idea from conservatives.
The revision will be called Today's New International Version, or TNIV. The original New International Version, which has sold more than 150 million copies worldwide since 1978, will remain on the market. The New Testament of the latest version goes on sale in April, with the full Bible, including Old Testament books, expected by 2005. Zondervan of Grand Rapids, Mich., which is owned by HarperCollins, holds North American rights for both versions. To date, the International Bible Society and Zondervan have spent $2 million to develop the new translation,
but they did not disclose other financial terms. Randy Stinson, executive director of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, a Louisville group that works to preserve sex-specific language, said Monday that he had not yet seen the revisions but was concerned that word meanings may have been altered.

"This is incredibly serious to evangelicals, how the Bible is translated," Stinson said. "We believe the Bible is the word of God, so changing these things deliberately is dangerous."
The older version's word usage became hotly disputed in 1997 when World magazine, a conservative weekly, reported that the Bible society was working on an inclusive-language revision. The society already had published such an edition with a British publisher. Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest U.S. Protestant denomination, criticized the language change, as did James Dobson of the influential "Focus on the Family" radio broadcast. After meeting with critics, the International Bible Society said it would halt publication of Britain's inclusive edition and had "abandoned all
plans for gender-related changes in future editions of the New International Version." The Bible society, based in Colorado Springs, isn't quite abandoning its pledge because the latest version won't replace the New International Version - it will just be sold alongside the older translation.

Examples of some changes from 1978 to 2002: "sons of God" will become "children of God" in Matthew 5:9, and "a man is justified by faith" will become "a person is justified by faith" in Romans 3:28. A publicity release says "the TNIV is not merely a gender-accurate edition of the NIV," because 70% of the changes do not relate to sex. Also, terms referring to God and Jesus Christ have not been altered. Like the 1978 Bible, the new version is aimed at Protestants and will not appear in an edition with the additional biblical books recognized by Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. The major U.S. sales competitor for the NIV has been the venerable King James Version. But the international versions will now also have to compete with two evangelical translations that appeared last year: English Standard Version from Crossway, a slight update of the 1952 Revised Standard Version that makes modest use of sex-free terminology.
Holman Christian Standard Bible from Broadman & Holman, the Southern Baptist book house, which rejects sex-neutral wording. It currently is availableonly in the New Testament, with the full Bible expected in 2004. All or part of the Bible is currently available in some 70 English translations.

Is the Bible the only book on the shelves? Really?

Now I know how feminists, etc. may feel, but this is going way to far. If you change the words that have lasted for thousands of years, you change their validity. Really, while we're at it, lets change the part about the flood, that was kinda harsh. Also, let's make Jesus "Christ-like", and not Christ, so that way the Bible is more accessible to non-Christians. :rolleyes:

Its not fair that anyone with a pulse can attack and re-write Christianity. If we tried this with the Torah, or the Koran, no one would stand for it.

I don't know if I am the minority in this, but things like this get me fired up. The more we change the Bible, the less real it becomes, it becomes not a record of events and people and instead becomes a mix of myths, flights of fancy, and "stuff like that." :mad:

RIDICULOUS!!!!
 

What is the whole purpose of that? What gives US the liberty to be able to CHANGE the Bible to fit the desires of self? This is a disgrace and that's the very reason why the US is in all of it's turmoil. Look around you...change of weather, people being proud of their sins, etc. Now we change the Bible?! God is not proud of this and we will suffer the consequences. I'm disgusted with the thought of this.

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/krach.gif

ME

I have to agree with everyone that has posted. This is going to far. I do not need the "him', "he", & "sons" changed to know that I am loved by God and one of His children. If you are secure with who you are in Christ there is no need to change the Word. The change should take place in the people.

Can I Get a Yaaaaaaaaay men
 

Preach it Soror!!:cool:
Next they will want to change "AMEN" to AHUMAN!!:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Re: Can I Get a Yaaaaaaaaay men
 

LOL. And the people of God said, "AHUMAN". You are silly.

I would definitely have to agree with all of the post so far. I'm very upset over them changing it to make it more genderally neutral. It just doesn't make any sense to me. Does not the word of God say do not add or take away from any of the contents therein. This is absolutely ludacris (sp???). I know this is one BIBLE that I will not have in my collection.

The KJV works best for me. Praise the Lord.

LOL
 

Ludacris is the rapper.
Ludicrous is what you were looking for.

I don't need the Bible to be sex neutral to know that God meant me too. Shoot if you want to get technical according to the slave masters, the Bible was not meant for Blacks but you don't see anyone coming up with an Afrocentric Bible in terms of identifying that the Bible is filled with people of African descent. I own an African American Bible (NIV) that is accessorized with mini-sermons from various prominent African American ministers and religious leaders including SOROR VASHTI. :D :cool:

Thanks for the correction. I was really thinking about that one and didn't have my dictionary handy...

But anyway, with that I wonder how ministers around the country will feel about this new bible.

Bad Idea
 

The mere thought of a "sex-neutral" bible is absolutely ridiculous. :mad: When you change too many words, you end up changing the meaning, validity, and the point of the scriptures.

The King James Bible is the closest thing we have from the original translations and even some things in there are misunderstood. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. Some things couldn't even be translated in the KJV. If we keep changing things, we'll end up with a big ol' mess. :eek:

And yes, God does love us all but he created man first and then woman for comfort and companionship. Although he doesn't practice favoritism, God word's continually says that a man should be the head of his household.

Re: Bad Idea
 

Agreed. I don't need the Bible to say WOMAN for me to feel secure in God's love. Tampering with the Bible is not the line of work I want to be in.

I TOTALLY AGREE NOWorNEVER, I TOTALLY AGREE!!! What is this world coming to? GENDER-NEUTRAL? PPPLLLEEEZZZ!!!!!!! Well, I just know that's one bible that I NOR anyone is my family will be purchasing. My husband and I too believe in the King James' version and that's what we're sticking to until the end. It's COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS!!!

If that were true, then why do Jews, when they make new copies of the Torah copy it Letter for Letter. Notice, letter for letter, not ssimply word for word. Even the letters are important! Why? Because in every letter in every word the meaning and the importance is revealed. When the words, the letters that make it up are no longer important, soon the text itself is not important.

I never had a pictoral Bible, and you know what? I didn't miss anything.

Lastly, you cannot elevate its validity. (IMHO) It is what it is. And if people cannot accept that, they should try another religion that more to their liking.

WHAT VERSION of the BIBLE
 

My question to ANY and ALL: What version or translation of the Bible do you read/prefer?

I own two copies of the NIV translation. I have been a big NIV lover for years because it has been translated into Modern English for the most part. I have the STUDENT NIV and the AFRICAN AMERICAN NIV.

I now want to purchase the Women of Color Bible. Yesterday in church they announced the MEN OF COLOR, King James Translation and one of our associate ministers has written for it.

Our minister will often include the different translations in his sermon outline. I never knew there were so many translations before.

What is the differences in the A-A Bible? Never heard of that version.

I dunno.... I was raised on the KJV and I (of course bias) think that one is the best. I have also read it in Greek and Latin, very interesting.

Well I have the NIV version of AA Bible and my sands has the KJV. It is supplemented with "vignettes/mini-sermons" from prominent African American ministers.

Here is a link to Amazon for that Bible. My mom purchased it for me and others in the family back in 99.
I hope the link works:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...452960-2366366

TITLE: The African American Devotional Bible : New International Version

TESTING THE FAITH
New Bible translation promotes fornication
Archbishop of Canterbury praises
version for 'extraordinary power'
Posted: June 24, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern


© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

A brand-new translation of the Bible – praised by Britain's archbishop of Canterbury, that nation's senior Christian voice – flatly contradicts traditional core Christian beliefs on sex and morality.

Titled "Good as New," the new Bible is translated by former Baptist minister John Henson for the "One" organization, to produce what the group calls a "new, fresh and adventurous" translation of the Christian scriptures.



Archbishop Rowan Williams
The 104th archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams – leader of the Church of England – describes it is a book of "extraordinary power," but admitted many would be startled by its content.

"Instead of condemning fornicators, adulterers and 'abusers of themselves with mankind'," says Ruth Gledhill, the London Times religious affairs correspondent, "the new version of his first letter to Corinth has St. Paul advising Christians not to go without sex for too long in case they get 'frustrated.'" :eek:


"The new version, which Dr. Williams says he hopes will spread 'in epidemic profusion through religious and irreligious like', turns St. Paul's strictures against fornication on their head," dds the Times.

The One organization that produced the new Bible translation is dedicated to "establish[ing] peace, justice, dignity and rights for all." It is also focused on "sustainable use of the earth's resources," challenging "oppression, injustice, exclusion and discrimination" as well as accepting "one another, valuing their diversity and experience."

According to Ekklesia, a London-based "theological think tank" that supports the "One" translation:

The translation is pioneering in its accessibility, and changes the original Greek and Hebrew nomenclature into modern nicknames. t. Peter becomes "Rocky," Mary Magdalene becomes "Maggie," Aron becomes "Ron," Andronicus becomes "Andy" and Barabbas becomes "Barry." In keeping with the times, translator Henson deftly translates "demon possession" as "mental illness" and "Son of Man," the _expression Jesus frequently used to escribe himself, as "the Complete Person." In addition, parables are rendered as "riddles," baptize is to "dip" in water, salvation becomes "healing" or "completeness" and Heaven becomes "the world beyond time and space." LAWD, PETER becomes ROCKY!!!

Here's how Williams, the top Anglican archbishop, describes the ew Bible: "Instead of being taken into a specialized religious frame of reference – as happens even with the most onscientious of formal modern translations – and being given a gospel ddressed to specialized concerns … we have here a vehicle for thinking and worshipping that is fully earthed, recognizably about our humanity."

In addition, notes Ekklesia, the archbishop praises Henson's translation for eliminating "the stale, the technical, the unconsciously exclusive words and policies" in other translations.

Here, according to the London Times, are a few sample passages:

Mark 1:4
Authorized version: "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."

New: "John, nicknamed 'The Dipper,' was 'The Voice.' He was in the desert, inviting people to be dipped, to show they were determined to change their ways and wanted to be forgiven."

Mark 1:10-11
Authorized version: "And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. And there came a voice from the heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

New: "As he was climbing up the bank again, the sun shone through a gap in the clouds. At the same time a pigeon flew down and perched on him. Jesus took this as a sign that God's spirit was with him. A voice from overhead was heard saying, 'That's my boy! You're doing fine!'" :eek:

Matthew 23:25
Authorized version: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"
New version: "Take a running jump, Holy Joes, humbugs!" :eek:

Matthew 26:69-70
Authorized version: "Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a
damsel came unto him, saying, 'Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.' But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest."

New: "Meanwhile Rocky was still sitting in the courtyard. A woman came up to him and said: 'Haven't I seen you with Jesus, the hero from Galilee?" Rocky shook his head and said: 'I don't know what the hell you're talking about!'" :eek: :mad: :eek:


1 Corinthians 7:1-2
KJV: "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband."

New: "Some of you think the best way to cope with sex is for men and women to keep right away from each other. That is more likely to lead to sexual offences. My advice is for everyone to have a regular partner." LAAAAAAAAAAWD

1 Corinthians 7:8-7
KJV: "I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for
them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them
marry: for it is better to marry than to burn."

New: "If you know you have strong needs, get yourself a partner. Better than being frustrated."


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I ain't perfect but I really think this Bible might get folks in TROUBLE!!!

Methinks that your side gig as the handbasket to hell driver and recruitment coordinator might become quite profitable! :p

OH MY GRACIOUS! :eek: Jesus is surely soon to come.

LOL

I think that when folks start to mess with things that are not broken, they end up breaking them. This idea is just dumb. I can see the purpose of making the Bible a little easier to understand and enjoy, but this is going to far. Its bad enough that the Bible we already have is written according to what a HUMAN felt should be there, but to then go and mess with that, its just to much.

The TIME is coming, this kinda stuff is just ridiculous. :rolleyes:

OKAAAAAY! :o

Umm, how about we already have this :confused:--it's called the NIV Version...So, really, is there a need to do this?! :rolleyes:

ETA: To Birtha Blue ~ EXACTLY! ;)

I know, that's why this one is going too far :cool:

That's absolutely incredible! Ya know, I think I recall something that the Bible says about adding to or changing its contents. It comes somewhere near the end of Revelation and the consequences are pretty severe. Or maybe that's just me.

I'm sitting here in SHOCK!

What is the basis? Are they trying to make the Bible like some sort of novel so that people will read it? How is the integrity of the Word being protected with this "new translation?" I can say that I have never read the Bible and may not understand every single word without explanation, but I'll be darned if "Rocky" telling people to "get the hell out of here" will help to get the point across. :rolleyes:

Do these people think that this is what God wants? Do they think that they are doing him a "favor?" I do declare that Hell is gonna have to start making some extra room because it's gonna get crowded down there. I know that God forgives, but calling his main man "Rocky" surely won't be getting too many people admitted into the "world beyond time and space." :rolleyes:

You would think the Bibles would explode in transit but since that isn't likely just make sure you have your own and buy whatever version floats your boat (except this one) to give to the rest of your family. Making text easier to read is one thing but Rocky and Maggie and find yourself a regular partner (never mentioning the sanctity of marriage~even though I know that one gets skipped over a lot anyway) is just wrong.

Can you imagine the Bible verse that says Jesus wept saying Jesus cried like a little _______. :eek:

This is just a bad idea and another example of just because you can do it doesn't mean you should.

Naw, it ain't you.
Revelations 22:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

HELL BOUND!!! Read it, explain it, but don't tamper.

*clutches her KJV*

This is one bible I'm not going to buy or download onto my e-sword program.

Jesus is coming soon, each day we are getting closer and this proves it.

BASSETT, DENZEL, UNDERWOOD TO READ THE BIBLE
 

*Angela Bassett, Denzel Washington and Blair Underwood are among the celebrities who will contribute to a dramatized audio recording of the Bible’s entire New Testament.

Zondervan and Inspired By Media Group are behind the project, titled “Inspired By . The Bible Experience.” More than 80 African American stars have signed on to provide narration alongside Bassett, who portrays Esther, Washington (Solomon), Underwood (Jesus) and Cuba Gooding Jr. (Judas).

"With the recent resurgence of faith-based entertainment and its appeal to both urban and mainstream audiences, this project serves as a cultural bridge connecting people of all races and ethnicities," said Ron Belk, one of four executive producers.

Other celebrities lending voices include James Avery, Tisha Campbell Martin, Loretta Devine, Charles Dutton, Robert Guillaume, Jasmine Guy, Boris Kodjoe, Jim Brown, Iyanla Vanzant, minister Juanita Bynum and Shirley Caesar. Voices from the music world include Common, Faith Evans, Heavy D, Anthony Hamilton, Kirk Franklin, MC Lyte and Angie Stone.

http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur26758.cfm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When did Esther and Solomon get to the New Edition?:confused:

Re: BASSETT, DENZEL, UNDERWOOD TO READ THE BIBLE
 

LOL -

BTW, I receive a free copy of TNIV and it is disappointing to say the least. Do not buy this - don't even accept a free copy.