People are entitled to their own lifestyle choices. However, when they attempt to justify those choices by recklessly appealing to the Bible for affirmation, that’s another matter. That is exactly what has happened with the Queen James Version of the Bible – dubbed The Gay Bible.
According to the editors, The Queen James Bible seeks to resolve interpretive ambiguity in the Bible as it pertains to homosexuality – “we edited eight verses in a way that makes homophobic interpretations impossible.” The editing was based on the 1769 edition of the King James Version of the Bible.
According to the anonymous editors, the crux of the argument is that homosexuality was first mentioned in the Bible in 1946, in the Revised Standard Version. The editors contend that “there is no mention of or reference to homosexuality in any Bible prior to 1946, only interpretations have been made.”
According to my former professor Dr. Douglas Moo, “while it is true that the word homosexual did not appear in the Bible translations until recent times, there is a good reason for that – the word did not exist in the English language until 1890.” Moo further argues, “That that does not, however mean, that the subject was not broached in earlier translations – the history of English translation shows that versions have consistently used other language to refer to what we would call homosexual relationships.”
The truth is, The Gay Bible lacks intellectual credibility. The very name of the text, The Queen James Version is based on dubious history. The editors assert that King James I was a well-known bisexual. They believe that “although the king did marry a woman, his many gay relationships were so well-known that amongst some of his friends and court, he was known as ‘Queen James’. It is in his great debt and honor that we name our translation The Queen James Version.”
Among historians, the sexuality of King James I is a matter of dispute. The authors of Early Modern England, 1458-1714, assert that the issue is murky. However, in order to satisfy their bias, the editors of The Gay Bible show little interest in historical accuracy. As a matter of fact, even if it were confirmed that King James I was bisexual, that would have absolutely nothing to do with the meaning of the text.
That disregard for accuracy is reflected in each of the eight citations in The Gay Bible. Because of the limits of this column, I will examine one of the eight passage that was changed – 1 Corinthians 6:9.
KING JAMES VERSION
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.
QUEEN JAMES VERSION
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor morally weak, nor promiscuous.
The Greek word that The Gay Bible translates as “morally weak” is a combination of two Greek words. The first word (arsen) means a male. The second word (koite) means a bed. The combined Greek word is describing “a man who lies in bed with another male” – that is a contemporary description of homosexuality.
The editors of The Gay Bible contend that “Greek as a language had developed words for homosexuality, but none of those words were used in the text before us. We changed the phrase ‘abusers of themselves with mankind’ to ‘promiscuous’ as one who is promiscuous risks their own health and that of others, sexually and otherwise, as they disrespect their God-given body.”
Linguistically and historically that is utter crap. In nearly every classical and Septuagintal use of the word, the masculine gender is in focus. Actually, the Greek word used in the text (arsenokoites) expresses active homosexuality. A related term (malakos) connotes effeminate behavior or passive homosexuality, in which a man allows others to exploit him sexually. Both Greek words are used in the text under review.
Interestingly, the editors of The Gay Bible have chosen to remain anonymous. That decision to remain anonymous is both deceitful and unscholarly. Their work cannot be called a translation – it borders on blasphemy, in that it attempts to attribute to God a perspective that is dishonorable and ungodly. The prophet Isaiah was correct when he said, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil...” (Isaiah 5:20).
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
MUSLIMS RESPOND TO Tragedy in Boston
Last Thursday, in a powerful, uplifting speech at an interfaith service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, President Obama said he went to join people to “pray and mourn and measure our loss. We also come today to reaffirm that the spirit of this city is undaunted and the spirit of this country shall remain undimmed. I’m here today on behalf of the American people with a simple message: Every one of us has been touched by this attack on your beloved city. Every one of us stands with you,” he said.
At the conclusion of the President’s speech, the 2,000 people in the crowd leapt to their feet, some with tears streaking down their cheeks, to deliver a standing ovation. The crowd then joined in singing “America the Beautiful.”
The interfaith service at the cathedral was in keeping with a religious response to the terror attack at which three people died and more than 170 were injured when two blasts were detonated near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon.
Religious clerics have been responding because of the grief and the terrorists’ claim to be Muslims. However, unlike some previous attacks in which the perpetrators claimed to be Muslims, the reaction of Muslim clerics this time was different.
In reference to Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the terrorist who died in a shoot out with the police, one Boston Muslim cleric said he would refuse to perform funeral rites for a man accused of committing so much violence. Yusufi Vali, executive director of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, the largest mosque in the Boston area, also refused to identify with the two killers.
The two Tsarnaev brothers, accused of the Boston bombings, occasionally attended prayer services at the Islamic Society of Boston Cambridge Masjid, a small mosque near Tamerlan’s home. In a statement from the masjid, Muslim leaders claim “the brothers never exhibited any violent sentiments or behavior in their visits to the mosque.”
In a recent interview, the Council on American Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) Executive Director in Florida, Hassan Shibly said, “domestically, it appears that many of those who engage in plotting acts of terror are ignorant, troubled, and mentally unstable individuals. Some have used disagreement with US foreign policy as justification for their disgusting acts, but the fact remains that such acts are unjustifiable and are due to the individual needing serious mental health counseling more than anything else. No mentally healthy individual can accept the intentional attack against innocent civilians, especially not in the name of any divine faith.”
I congratulate American Muslim leaders on this move to condemn the Boston attack. I now challenge them to go one step further and condemn the Egyptian cleric who said the attack in Boston “was definitively a jihad by mujahedeen.” As a matter of fact, the dust had not even settled on the ground at the site of the devastating explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line before Islamists started celebrating that so many people in America had been killed and injured. There were reports from Jordan and Gaza that people explicitly allied with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad joined with ordinary citizens to dance in the streets, cheer, and pass out candy.
Such celebrations are unacceptable in today’s America - and so are the organizations that participate in the celebrations. American Muslim clerics need to challenge and discontinue supporting terrorist organizations. To challenge violence in any religion is not hate speech.
Sinem Tezyapar, a Muslim commentator got it right when she said, “history has witnessed many sick people leading others to commit atrocities, but there is one thing for certain; whatever the perpetrator or perpetrators might profess as a religion, they are not believers. If someone is capable of killing innocent people without so much as blinking an eye, then they are murderers with no fear of God. That is indisputable.”
That perspective deserves our support as Christians. In his first letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul urged Christians to pray for persons in authority, “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives...” (1 Timothy 2:2). Hundreds of years earlier, while in exile, Jeremiah encouraged the Jews to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7).
Today we are seeking peace in a hostile world. In pursuing that peace we must encourage others who are also seeking peace and condemn every attempt to challenge civility and tranquility.
At the conclusion of the President’s speech, the 2,000 people in the crowd leapt to their feet, some with tears streaking down their cheeks, to deliver a standing ovation. The crowd then joined in singing “America the Beautiful.”
The interfaith service at the cathedral was in keeping with a religious response to the terror attack at which three people died and more than 170 were injured when two blasts were detonated near the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon.
Religious clerics have been responding because of the grief and the terrorists’ claim to be Muslims. However, unlike some previous attacks in which the perpetrators claimed to be Muslims, the reaction of Muslim clerics this time was different.
In reference to Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the terrorist who died in a shoot out with the police, one Boston Muslim cleric said he would refuse to perform funeral rites for a man accused of committing so much violence. Yusufi Vali, executive director of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, the largest mosque in the Boston area, also refused to identify with the two killers.
The two Tsarnaev brothers, accused of the Boston bombings, occasionally attended prayer services at the Islamic Society of Boston Cambridge Masjid, a small mosque near Tamerlan’s home. In a statement from the masjid, Muslim leaders claim “the brothers never exhibited any violent sentiments or behavior in their visits to the mosque.”
In a recent interview, the Council on American Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) Executive Director in Florida, Hassan Shibly said, “domestically, it appears that many of those who engage in plotting acts of terror are ignorant, troubled, and mentally unstable individuals. Some have used disagreement with US foreign policy as justification for their disgusting acts, but the fact remains that such acts are unjustifiable and are due to the individual needing serious mental health counseling more than anything else. No mentally healthy individual can accept the intentional attack against innocent civilians, especially not in the name of any divine faith.”
I congratulate American Muslim leaders on this move to condemn the Boston attack. I now challenge them to go one step further and condemn the Egyptian cleric who said the attack in Boston “was definitively a jihad by mujahedeen.” As a matter of fact, the dust had not even settled on the ground at the site of the devastating explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line before Islamists started celebrating that so many people in America had been killed and injured. There were reports from Jordan and Gaza that people explicitly allied with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad joined with ordinary citizens to dance in the streets, cheer, and pass out candy.
Such celebrations are unacceptable in today’s America - and so are the organizations that participate in the celebrations. American Muslim clerics need to challenge and discontinue supporting terrorist organizations. To challenge violence in any religion is not hate speech.
Sinem Tezyapar, a Muslim commentator got it right when she said, “history has witnessed many sick people leading others to commit atrocities, but there is one thing for certain; whatever the perpetrator or perpetrators might profess as a religion, they are not believers. If someone is capable of killing innocent people without so much as blinking an eye, then they are murderers with no fear of God. That is indisputable.”
That perspective deserves our support as Christians. In his first letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul urged Christians to pray for persons in authority, “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives...” (1 Timothy 2:2). Hundreds of years earlier, while in exile, Jeremiah encouraged the Jews to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7).
Today we are seeking peace in a hostile world. In pursuing that peace we must encourage others who are also seeking peace and condemn every attempt to challenge civility and tranquility.
Monday, April 8, 2013
PLEASE PRAY FOR Rick & Kay Warren
The Warrens need our prayers. They are known publicly as the founders of Saddleback Church, international speakers and best-selling authors. With the media visibility it is easy to forget that they face challenges in their home like any other family in America – probably more than the average family in America.
Last Friday they faced one major challenge. They had just completed a fun evening with their son Michael. After leaving his parents, Michael went to his home and experienced “a momentary wave of despair” similar to other moments he had throughout his life. This time though, he reacted by taking his own life.
This is how Rick Warren announced the tragedy to his staff: “over the past 33 years we’ve been together through every kind of crisis. Kay and I have been privileged to hold your hands as you faced a crisis or loss, stand with you at gravesides, and prayed for you when ill. Today, we need you to pray for us. No words can express the anguished grief we feel right now. Our youngest son, Matthew, age 27, and a lifelong member of Saddleback, died today.”
The heart-wrenching email went on to say, “only those closest knew that Matthew struggled from birth with mental illness, dark holes of depression, and even suicidal thoughts. In spite of America’s best doctors, meds, counselors, and prayers for healing, the torture of mental illness never subsided...I’ll never forget how, many years ago, after another approach had failed to give him relief, Matthew said, ‘Dad, I know I’m going to heaven. Why can’t I just die and end this pain?’”
That pain ended for Matthew on Friday, but not for the Warren family. Days earlier, Rick Warren and his staff prepared for the services over the weekend of Matthew’s death - the theme – “Surviving Tough Times.” Little did Rick know that he and his family would need the message more than any of the 20,000 persons who worship at Saddleback every weekend.
Worship services continued as scheduled with Rick’s brother-in-law Tom Holladay filling-in. Rick asked Tom, one of the assistant pastors, to take over the weekend services when he came down with pneumonia after a busy Easter schedule. Before Matthew’s tragedy, Rick Warren promoted the weekend services on Facebook with these words: “It’s a message on what to do on the worst day of your life.” What a prophetic message.
Both Rick and Kay are prolific writers and encouragers. In addition, Kay has spent the last ten years as a tireless advocate for persons living with HIV and AIDS. She has travelled to more than 19 countries calling on faith communities to respond to the needs of others.
In her most recent book, Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough, she describes her own pain. She has had two bouts of cancer and has watched as life-threatening illnesses attacked her children and grandchildren. Those experiences obviously helped to prepare her for Matthew’s tragic death.
Matthew’s dad, Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, which became the bestselling hardback non-fiction book in history, and is the second most-translated book in the world, after the Bible. The Purpose Driven Life has inspired and changed tens of millions of lives ... more than any modern book.
The Warrens need our prayers at this time. Millions have benefited from their ministry and it is now our turn to take them to the Lord in prayer. In a recent tweet to his almost one million internet followers, he said he and his wife were overwhelmed by the support they have received since Matthew’s tragedy.
Unfortunately, not everyone has responded to this tragedy with compassion. Heartlessness was expressed by both Christians and non-Christians. Here is a sampling:
“He knew his daddy was a fraud fleecing the masses and just could no longer live with the guilt and continue the charade.”
“He preaches about saving millions of lost souls, but couldn’t save his son. Just another phony preacher taking advantage of stupid sheep!”
“I can only think of one “believer” who committed suicide: Judas Iscariot. Did he suffer a mental illness, too?”
How sad, some have allowed their theological and ideological differences to stifle compassion. The Bible we claim to believe calls on us “to grieve with those who grieve and mourn with those who mourn.” When we cannot do that, we are as warped as the opinions we share.
Last Friday they faced one major challenge. They had just completed a fun evening with their son Michael. After leaving his parents, Michael went to his home and experienced “a momentary wave of despair” similar to other moments he had throughout his life. This time though, he reacted by taking his own life.
This is how Rick Warren announced the tragedy to his staff: “over the past 33 years we’ve been together through every kind of crisis. Kay and I have been privileged to hold your hands as you faced a crisis or loss, stand with you at gravesides, and prayed for you when ill. Today, we need you to pray for us. No words can express the anguished grief we feel right now. Our youngest son, Matthew, age 27, and a lifelong member of Saddleback, died today.”
The heart-wrenching email went on to say, “only those closest knew that Matthew struggled from birth with mental illness, dark holes of depression, and even suicidal thoughts. In spite of America’s best doctors, meds, counselors, and prayers for healing, the torture of mental illness never subsided...I’ll never forget how, many years ago, after another approach had failed to give him relief, Matthew said, ‘Dad, I know I’m going to heaven. Why can’t I just die and end this pain?’”
That pain ended for Matthew on Friday, but not for the Warren family. Days earlier, Rick Warren and his staff prepared for the services over the weekend of Matthew’s death - the theme – “Surviving Tough Times.” Little did Rick know that he and his family would need the message more than any of the 20,000 persons who worship at Saddleback every weekend.
Worship services continued as scheduled with Rick’s brother-in-law Tom Holladay filling-in. Rick asked Tom, one of the assistant pastors, to take over the weekend services when he came down with pneumonia after a busy Easter schedule. Before Matthew’s tragedy, Rick Warren promoted the weekend services on Facebook with these words: “It’s a message on what to do on the worst day of your life.” What a prophetic message.
Both Rick and Kay are prolific writers and encouragers. In addition, Kay has spent the last ten years as a tireless advocate for persons living with HIV and AIDS. She has travelled to more than 19 countries calling on faith communities to respond to the needs of others.
In her most recent book, Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough, she describes her own pain. She has had two bouts of cancer and has watched as life-threatening illnesses attacked her children and grandchildren. Those experiences obviously helped to prepare her for Matthew’s tragic death.
Matthew’s dad, Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, which became the bestselling hardback non-fiction book in history, and is the second most-translated book in the world, after the Bible. The Purpose Driven Life has inspired and changed tens of millions of lives ... more than any modern book.
The Warrens need our prayers at this time. Millions have benefited from their ministry and it is now our turn to take them to the Lord in prayer. In a recent tweet to his almost one million internet followers, he said he and his wife were overwhelmed by the support they have received since Matthew’s tragedy.
Unfortunately, not everyone has responded to this tragedy with compassion. Heartlessness was expressed by both Christians and non-Christians. Here is a sampling:
“He knew his daddy was a fraud fleecing the masses and just could no longer live with the guilt and continue the charade.”
“He preaches about saving millions of lost souls, but couldn’t save his son. Just another phony preacher taking advantage of stupid sheep!”
“I can only think of one “believer” who committed suicide: Judas Iscariot. Did he suffer a mental illness, too?”
How sad, some have allowed their theological and ideological differences to stifle compassion. The Bible we claim to believe calls on us “to grieve with those who grieve and mourn with those who mourn.” When we cannot do that, we are as warped as the opinions we share.
Monday, April 1, 2013
A Defense of the Resurrection
Far too often Christians have been led to believe that the resurrection of Jesus is an issue of faith and not history. However, I believe there are a few historical questions that can best be answered by a belief in the resurrection of Jesus.
One such question concerns the empty tomb. First-century historians and New Testament writers confirm that the practice of entombment was a normal occurrence. As a result, it is not a problem to accept that Jesus was placed in a tomb, following His crucifixion. The New Testament contends that the tomb was empty three days later. This claim was made and documented within the lifetime of most of the persons who witnessed the crucifixion.
To date, we are not aware of any credible first century historian who has refuted the Christian claim of an empty tomb. Explanations for the empty tomb include theft by the disciples of Jesus and resuscitation. In light of the Roman reputation for conducting crucifixions, both theories are implausible. To be honest, the resurrection of Jesus is by far the most plausible option.
We are also aware that bone boxes or ossuaries were used to store the bones of persons who were entombed. If Jesus were not resurrected, His bones would have been transferred to an ossuary within eighteen months to two years after entombment. Outside of such ossuaries, the names of the deceased were engraved. To date, hundreds of ossuaries have been found and most identified.
In order to refute the claim of the rapidly growing Christian church in the first century, how is it no one has ever been able to locate the bone box of Jesus? Archaeologists have found bone boxes for Pilate and even James, the brother of Jesus, but no credible claims have been made concerning Jesus’ ossuary. Is it likely that no bone box can be found because no bones were left behind?
In his book, The Jewish Messiahs, Professor Harris Lenowitz indicates that prior to and following the life of Jesus, Jewish leaders arose claiming to be the promised Messiah. Each professed Messiah attracted a following. However, with the death of each Messiah, the followers scattered and the messianic movement died.
Christians contend that unlike other messianic enthusiasts, the Jesus movement did not die following the death of Jesus. There were sure signs of the movement collapsing during the proceedings before and immediately after the crucifixion. The hopelessness of the two men on the road to Emmaus was reflective of the mood of the Jesus movement.
What then could have accounted for the massive turnaround among the followers of Jesus? Within days they were transformed from wimps to witnesses and from cowards to people of courage. This turnaround took place in front of the same authorities before whom they were terrified. The only plausible answer could be a major event that transformed them. Christians contend, the resurrection of Jesus fits that description.
Furthermore, why did the Christians within a few months of the death of Jesus practice the following?
- corporate worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2);
- referencing the first day of the week as “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10);
- reinterpreting Jewish baptism to signify the death and resurrection of Jesus; and
- associating hope of life after death with the resurrection of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14 and 1 Corinthians 15:20).
The most plausible answer to the above is the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week. Even normal greetings among Christians in the first century reflected their belief in the resurrection of Jesus. Christians greeted each other with the words, “He is risen” – the response? “He is risen indeed.” Why would such a greeting be necessary if they did not believe that Jesus was resurrected?
In the recently concluded television series, The Bible, it was clearly shown where ten of the twelve disciples of Jesus died as witnesses. They were prepared to die rather than deny what they saw and knew to be true. Interestingly, no one dies for what he knows to be a lie. People will die for what they believe to be true – but never for what they know to be a lie.
Furthermore, how do historians account for the rapid growth of Christianity so soon after the death of Jesus? It was not only the courage of the disciples but also the outcome of their testimonies before persons who witnessed the death of Jesus. Were it not for the resurrection, the tragic death of Jesus would not be an incentive for new believers.
Agreed, the resurrection of Jesus was miraculous, but it is not historically indefensible.
One such question concerns the empty tomb. First-century historians and New Testament writers confirm that the practice of entombment was a normal occurrence. As a result, it is not a problem to accept that Jesus was placed in a tomb, following His crucifixion. The New Testament contends that the tomb was empty three days later. This claim was made and documented within the lifetime of most of the persons who witnessed the crucifixion.
To date, we are not aware of any credible first century historian who has refuted the Christian claim of an empty tomb. Explanations for the empty tomb include theft by the disciples of Jesus and resuscitation. In light of the Roman reputation for conducting crucifixions, both theories are implausible. To be honest, the resurrection of Jesus is by far the most plausible option.
We are also aware that bone boxes or ossuaries were used to store the bones of persons who were entombed. If Jesus were not resurrected, His bones would have been transferred to an ossuary within eighteen months to two years after entombment. Outside of such ossuaries, the names of the deceased were engraved. To date, hundreds of ossuaries have been found and most identified.
In order to refute the claim of the rapidly growing Christian church in the first century, how is it no one has ever been able to locate the bone box of Jesus? Archaeologists have found bone boxes for Pilate and even James, the brother of Jesus, but no credible claims have been made concerning Jesus’ ossuary. Is it likely that no bone box can be found because no bones were left behind?
In his book, The Jewish Messiahs, Professor Harris Lenowitz indicates that prior to and following the life of Jesus, Jewish leaders arose claiming to be the promised Messiah. Each professed Messiah attracted a following. However, with the death of each Messiah, the followers scattered and the messianic movement died.
Christians contend that unlike other messianic enthusiasts, the Jesus movement did not die following the death of Jesus. There were sure signs of the movement collapsing during the proceedings before and immediately after the crucifixion. The hopelessness of the two men on the road to Emmaus was reflective of the mood of the Jesus movement.
What then could have accounted for the massive turnaround among the followers of Jesus? Within days they were transformed from wimps to witnesses and from cowards to people of courage. This turnaround took place in front of the same authorities before whom they were terrified. The only plausible answer could be a major event that transformed them. Christians contend, the resurrection of Jesus fits that description.
Furthermore, why did the Christians within a few months of the death of Jesus practice the following?
- corporate worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2);
- referencing the first day of the week as “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10);
- reinterpreting Jewish baptism to signify the death and resurrection of Jesus; and
- associating hope of life after death with the resurrection of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14 and 1 Corinthians 15:20).
The most plausible answer to the above is the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week. Even normal greetings among Christians in the first century reflected their belief in the resurrection of Jesus. Christians greeted each other with the words, “He is risen” – the response? “He is risen indeed.” Why would such a greeting be necessary if they did not believe that Jesus was resurrected?
In the recently concluded television series, The Bible, it was clearly shown where ten of the twelve disciples of Jesus died as witnesses. They were prepared to die rather than deny what they saw and knew to be true. Interestingly, no one dies for what he knows to be a lie. People will die for what they believe to be true – but never for what they know to be a lie.
Furthermore, how do historians account for the rapid growth of Christianity so soon after the death of Jesus? It was not only the courage of the disciples but also the outcome of their testimonies before persons who witnessed the death of Jesus. Were it not for the resurrection, the tragic death of Jesus would not be an incentive for new believers.
Agreed, the resurrection of Jesus was miraculous, but it is not historically indefensible.
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