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This is the continuation of an article taken from Blind Guides (pp.22-34) by G.A. Riplinger. Blind Guides is a scholarly and detailed response to the crtiques of Hunt, McMahon, Lalonde, Cloud, Morey, White, Hanagraaff, House, Passantinos, and others concerning Dr. Riplinger's New Age Bible Versions.
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(Part Four) of New Age Bible Versions |
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Cloud contends that the dozens of changes or omissions in modern versions, listed on pages 190-192, do not obscure man's sinful likeness. Jesus spoke of those like Cloud,
With the new versions' omissions in Luke 22:67,68, the statement by Jesus "nor let me go," is completely banished from the entire Bible. Cloud's opinions and assertions are just that--opinions; they are not proofs and are clearly contrary to the facts. Why doesn't he prove his point by taking one example and analyzing the English semantics, etymology, doctrinal implications, Greek grammar or manuscript evidence? He says "new versions DO plainly show man's mistreatment of Jesus Christ and DO condemn man's "love of self". So does the Jehovah Witness version, but that doesn't make it a Bible. Let's look closely at his example given from Matt. 27:28-30. To begin with, he didn't quote the passage down far enough to show that the NIV omits 25 words from verse 35. Also, if he is going to enter the ring as a new version contender, he's got to get a current NIV; Matt. 27 in the NIV hasn't read like that for 10 years! He seems to think Matt. 27 could replace Luke 22:64,68, which is omitted in new versions. It cannot. Matt. 27 is about the smiting of Christ by the ROMAN SOLDIERS after Pilate retained Jesus. Luke 22:64,68 takes place before Jesus was taken to Pilate and tells of the physical abuse Jesus suffered at the hands of the RELIGIOUS LEADERS. (New versions often omit the reference to the smiting of his "face," a fulfillment of O.T. prophecies, such as Is. 50:6 and Is. 52:14). The 'religious leaders' on the new version committees do not mind pointing to 'cruel' Roman soldiers; they also don't mind skipping over Luke's account of the scribes' beating of our Saviour. (They also omitted portions of Luke 11:54 which reveals abuse Christ suffered at the hands of religious leaders. The pattern is evident.) These 'New' ASV's (Ananias & Sapphia Versions) are like their namesakes-- they claim to give All of the truth, but keep back Some. The new versions' habit of watering down the Bible, that is, including a doctrine 'somewhere,' just not everywhere God put it, is characteristic of ALL CULTS. The power of heresy is its truth diluted and mixed with error. William Gurnall noted this in the 1600s; the devil has not changed his tactics. Gurnall said,
The new version mix of seeds/weeds, hot/cold, spiritual/carnal makes poor soul food.
The hireling's half-baked bibles have just enough leaven to leaven the whole lump — it only takes a little (Gal. 5:9). There is no need to contend for the NIV's crumbs, the master's table is laden with the children's bread in the banqueting house (Song of Sol. 2:4). |
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The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ tells its readers to worship "the God of Forces" — THE EXACT SAME WORDS used by the KJV to describe the false god of the last days. New versions do not use these words or words referring to the popular 'force' seen in Star Wars et al. Consequently new versions OMIT COMPLETELY the Bible's ONLY warning about this god. The lack of logic rests with Cloud. The nation's foremost experts on prophecy and the New Age movement, Texe Marrs, Noah Hutchings, Mary Pride, John Barela, Salem Kirban, and David Hocking, ALL have recommended New Age Bible Versions. If Cloud thinks new versions do not leave their readers open to Hinduism, he should read the thankful letters I've received from readers who have experienced just that. One such letter came from Vijayanagara, Bangalore (India). Its Bible Society's President wrote,
Cloud would replace the Holy Bible with a Holey Bible, with 1000's of spiritual loopholes through which to fall. Did the NIV editors consider it some new form of tithing when they offered up 10% of the scripture text to the sacred cow of 'textual criticism'? (Gordon Fee provides this percentage of omissions.) A "swept and garnished" bible, like the demon possessed man in Matt. 12:44, is opening itself up to worse devils. New Age books are always filled with scriptures (always new versions) taken out of context and used to PROVE their false teaching. This year's bestselling book, The Celestine Prophecy, begins with a new version quote from Daniel — then presents the New Age grab bag: nature religion, the occult, channeling, bad 'church' people and a search for ancient manuscripts that will explain human destiny. (The public is being conditioned to look for the antichrist's final bible.) New version editors have nailed the historic doctrine of divine preservation to the cross and have placed textual criticism on the throne. This dangerous sacred cow has bullied its way into Zion's green pastures. Though destitute of heaven's brand, the Laodicean church has awarded it her blue ribon. It is truly more bovine than divine. Its milk feeds a colicky Christianity crying for psychological burps. It brings "leanness unto their soul," just as Israel experienced when they wanted something 'new' (Ps. 106:15). Only schizophrenic followers would "pluck off" palm branches on Sunday morning then pluck out Christ's beard days later — or carry a bible which praises Jesus in Luke 24:44, then plucks out his ascension in verse 51. Like all hybrids this sacred cow, a cross between Christianity and humanism, is sterile; it cannot reproduce life. All new versions die out when their copyright owner dies; the KJV "liveth and abideth" from generation to generation. |
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Cloud's inability to see the "proof given" may be attributed to that head-shaped shadow he saw on pages 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 182, 183, 188, 269, and Matt. 17:60--right below the quote Cloud gives. Big heads tend to cast big obscuring shadows when they are trying to stand between truth and the light. One could add reams of verse citations where new versions give voice to the phony faith movement, but four more will fit here.
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