I started to post about this topic the other day when I first found out about it, and upon further research found that it is not as new as I thought it was. In fact this topic is about two years old. But beings that I had not heard about it, maybe you have not heard anything either.
There is a new bible "translation" out that is nothing short of being as stupid as a screen door on a submarine. A translation that makes Eugene Peterson look like a literary giant for having published "The Message". Titled "Good As New" this latest so called translation is pretty far over the top where most Evangelical Christians would be concerned. It actually promotes fornication, and yet the Archbishop of Canterbury has praised this version for it's "extraordinary power". How is it that someone who is supposedly a leader in the Christian community, an upholder of what is supposed to be true and good and lovely in the sight of God, stoop so low as to praise a publication that glorifies elicit sex, and the debasement of Jesus Christ himself?
I suppose that the theological liberals out there will say that it is more important to show love to the populace at large, and show them that they are accepted just where they are rather than act in such an unloving manner as to tell them that they are...*gasp*... sinners, and that they should (God forbid), repent and turn from their evil. But no. This book postulates that when we are tempted by sexual urges, rather than flee immorality, we should get a partner because not having sex might cause us to be "frustrated".
Obviously the most loving thing we can do is point the world to Jesus even if it does offend and make uncomfortable the hearer. In fact if the hearer is getting uncomfortable with the gospel, you stand a much greater chance of reaching them with that same gospel because at least they are hearing what you have to say. The one who is in the greatest danger is the one who is indifferent to the gospel message.
Here are some of the differences in how real scripture reads and how this fake scripture reads -
Mark 1:4 in both the NASB and Good as New versions...
NASB-
"John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
Good as 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."
Now Mark 1:10-11
NASB-
"Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him; and a voice came out of the heavens: "You are my beloved son, in You I am well pleased".
Good as 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!'"
Now Matthew 23:25
NASB-
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence."
Good as New-
"Take a running jump, Holy Joes, humbugs!"
Now Matthew 26:69-70
NASB-
"Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about."
Good as 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!'"
Now 1 Corinthians 7:1-2
NASB-
"Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. "
Good as 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."
And finally 1 Corinthians 7:8-9
NASB-
"But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Good as New-
"If you know you have strong needs, get yourself a partner. Better than being frustrated."
I think you can see what I mean. And if you by some chance think that this is all just peachy keen, then you have a real problem that needs to be delt with.
