The Bible version controversy :: essays research papers

A controversy of immense silliness has recently upset out among Evangelicals regarding the validity of modern, conservative variations of the ledger like the New American Standard, the New International, and the New King James. The controversy was ignited by a book written by Gail Riplinger entitled New Age Bible Versions. The only thing sillier than the controversy is the book that sparked it. Remember the old playfulness? -- "If the King James Version was good enough for the Apostle Paul, then its good enough for me" Well, Riplinger tries to convert the joke into gospel. A Ridiculous ThesisHer thesis is that the King James Version is the one and only pure translation (in any language) and that all the new translations that have flooded the mart in recent years (including the most conservative) are part of a Satanic, New Age conspiracy to undermine the deity of Jesus and the credibility of Gods Word. The book is mean-spirited and vicious in its attacks upon the godly evangelical scholars who labored so hard to produce the modern versions, not to undermine the Word, but to exculpate it more understandable to the average reader. Unfortunately the book has spawned an army of Riplinger disciples who finger it is their god-ordained duty to go forth and purify the Church by demanding the sole(a) use of the King James Version. Picking up on their mentors discordant spirit, they are labeling as heretics all fellow Christians and Christian leaders who choose to use some version other than the King James. To illustrate how crackbrained this silliness has become, consider a recent article that appeared in the newsletter of one of Riplingers most enthusiastic supporters, a prophecy teacher by the name of Texe Marrs. Calling the new conservative translations "unholy" and "grotesque," he proceeded to convict quaternion leading prophecy teachers because they refused to endorse Riplingers book and join with him in certifying the King Jam es Version as the only reliable translation. The quadruple he condemned as "misguided leaders" and "false witnesses" were Dave Hunt, Peter LaLonde, Arno Froese, and tail Ankerberg. Two of these, Hunt and Ankerberg, happen to be among the leading defenders of the Christian trustfulness today Even more incredible is the fact that all four men use the King James Version in their prophesy and teaching -- and Marrs knows that they do Still, they must be condemned as heretics because they refuse to commemorate the "Satanic, New Age" versions.