New Bible Versions REMOVE ‘Father’ and ‘Son Of God’ Because It Offends Muslims

Mainline Christian organizations are changing their holy scripture to avoid offending Muslims. Not only does this violate their scripture, but it also defeats the purpose of their mission--to share the Gospel. If mainline Christian organizations fear Muslims so much that they have to edit what they believe to be the Word of God, how far can they be from submission? Where are the righteous, the outraged, the proud?

It is Islamic authorities who should be excising the quran and hadith of the ideology that calls for jihad, genocide, subjugation and oppression of women, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and all non-Muslims. It is the ummah who should be calling for sharia bans. Instead, the Christians are bastardizing their scripture?  The Muslims refer to Christians in their daily prayers as "those who are led astray" (Muslims curse Christians and Jews multiple times in daily prayers). This madness validates their contempt and supremacism:

Concerned Christian missionaries, Bible translators, pastors, and national church leaders have come together with a public petition to stop these organizations. They claim a public petition is their last recourse because meetings with these organizations’ leaders, staff resignations over this issue and criticism and appeals from native national Christians concerned about the translations “have failed to persuade these agencies to retain “Father” and “Son” in the text of all their translations.”

Biblical Missiology, a ministry of Boulder, Colorado-based Horizon International, is sponsoring the petition. The main issues of this controversy surround new Arabic and Turkish translations. Here are three examples native speakers give:

First, Wycliffe and SIL have produced Stories of the Prophets, an Arabic Bible that uses an Arabic equivalent of “Lord” instead of “Father” and “Messiah” instead of “Son.”

Second, Frontiers and SIL have produced Meaning of the Gospel of Christ , an Arabic translation which removes “Father” in reference to God and replaces it with “Allah,” and removes or redefines “Son.”

For example, the verse which Christians use to justify going all over the world to make disciples, thus fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) reads, “Cleanse them by water in the name of Allah, his Messiah and his Holy Spirit” instead of “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Rev. Bassam Madany, an Arab American who runs Middle East Resources, terms these organization’s efforts as “a western imperialistic attempt that’s inspired by cultural anthropology, and not by biblical theology.” (more here)

Report: American Bible translators bowdlerize scriptures to avoid offending Muslims: no "Father" and "Son" Jihadwatch

If this is true, for the parties they are trying not to offend, anything short of Islam -- of professing that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is his messenger -- would be "offensive." This is not making Christianity more palatable. It is de-Christianizing it. It is manufacturing yet another Christian heresy.

Indeed, for many denominations, the validity of baptism depends on the words used: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." No euphemisms, no nicknames: for example, trial balloons aiming to portray a more gender-neutral God have already been burst: the use of "Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier" in baptism has been rejected by the Catholic Church, if not others.

Those who truly believe they are winning souls for Christ would not risk the validity of baptism, and those who are genuinely convinced that they possess the truth will not apologize or worry it is offensive.

As a technical matter, one wonders how the translators handle the words: "Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son" (1 John 2:22). And "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:33).

One last bit of holy writ: "You might as well fall flat on your face as lean over too far backward." - James Thurber

"'Father' and 'Son' Ousted from the Trinity in New Bible Translations," by Hussein Hajj Wario for the Yahoo! Contributor Network, January 27 (thanks to CGW):

A controversy is brewing over three reputable Christian organizations, which are based in North America, whose efforts have ousted the words "Father" and "Son" from new Bibles. Wycliffe Bible Translators, Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) and Frontiers are under fire for "producing Bibles that remove "Father," "Son" and "Son of God" because these terms are offensive to Muslims." Concerned Christian missionaries, Bible translators, pastors, and national church leaders have come together with a public petition to stop these organizations. They claim a public petition is their last recourse because meetings with these organizations' leaders, staff resignations over this issue and criticism and appeals from native national Christians concerned about the translations "have failed to persuade these agencies to retain "Father" and "Son" in the text of all their translations."

Clearly, they fail to appreciate the far-reaching ramifications that Christians not only may dare, but are commanded to call on the Creator of the Universe as "Father." That fundamentally re-wires one's relationship with God and describes a unique intimacy and bond of love that ought not be squandered to score short-term points.

Biblical Missiology, a ministry of Boulder, Colorado-based Horizon International, is sponsoring the petition.

The main issues of this controversy surround new Arabic and Turkish translations. Here are three examples native speakers give:

First, Wycliffe and SIL have produced Stories of the Prophets, an Arabic Bible that uses an Arabic equivalent of "Lord" instead of "Father" and "Messiah" instead of "Son."
Second, Frontiers and SIL have produced Meaning of the Gospel of Christ , an Arabic translation which removes "Father" in reference to God and replaces it with "Allah," and removes or redefines "Son." For example, the verse which Christians use to justify going all over the world to make disciples, thus fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) reads, "Cleanse them by water in the name of Allah, his Messiah and his Holy Spirit" instead of "baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Rev. Bassam Madany, an Arab American who runs Middle East Resources, terms these organization's efforts as "a western imperialistic attempt that's inspired by cultural anthropology, and not by biblical theology."

Third, Frontiers and SIL have produced a new Turkish translation of the Gospel of Matthew that uses Turkish equivalents of "guardian" for "Father" and "representative" or "proxy" for "Son." To Turkish church leader Rev. Fikret Böcek, "This translation is 'an all-American idea' with absolutely no respect for the 'sacredness' of Scripture, or even of the growing Turkish church."

SIL has issued a public response stating "all personnel subscribe to a statement of faith which affirms the Trinity, Christ's deity, and the inspiration of Scripture." However, in the same statement, which is similar to Wycliffe's, it claims "word-for-word translation of these titles would communicate an incorrect meaning (i.e. that God had physical, sexual relationships with Mary) [sic]," thus justifying substituting "Father" and "Son" in new translations. Calls and emails to Wycliffe and SIL to clarify their positions were not returned. Frontiers responded to calls with articles that critics have already dismissed as skirting omissions of "Father" and "Son" in new Bible translations.

The point about sexual connotations is baloney. Many of these countries have, or once had indigenous Christian populations with scriptures in indigenous languages where this was not a problem. If they're coming up with something untoward, they need better translators.

Comments

[CalifGirlInMaine]

What these agencies are doing is pure, anti-Christian (and anti-Christ) heresy, maybe blasphemy? How can they authorize such bastardized "translations" and still call themselves Christians? They ought to pay more careful attention to the texts they are translating, such as the 2 verses you cite:

"Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son" (1 John 2:22).

"But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:33).

They are making themselves liars, deniers of Christ, and endangering their own salvation. There is no excuse for re-interpreting sacred Scriptures. They are cutting out the essence of Christianity, the sacrifice of G-d's own SON for OUR sins, Christ taking on Himself the punishment we deserve. And they think to win converts with a watered-down, false Christianity? Woe to them. Let us pray they see the truth and repent of these "translations."

[John Lee]

Revelation 22:18-19, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 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.

Proverbs 30:5-6, Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

'Nuff said.

[Crombouke]

The philosophical basis of the Trinity: http://crombouke.blogspot.com/2010/01/tawhid-or-tawheed-versus-christian.html

[ivan the yid]

Pamela

Your article lacks a link to the petition that is being referred too. Could you please give your readers a link if, like me, they want to sign and support this petition.

[Lenin-McCarthy]

The King James and the Duoey Rheims (authorized Catholic version)are the true Bible translations. All other translations are counterfeit. I'm not surprised if there is a new version that appeals to muslims.

[No to Islam]

This is sick! Here we are in AMERICA WITH A CONSTITUTION AND we have
FREE SPEECH AND THESE religious groups mess around with Gods word!
What happened to strength and courage-being brave for God! Why did we send our troops to fight? Islam is a lie from the beginning to the end. Terrorists who believe they are right are the brainwashed robots of their culture--It is not THE AMERICAN CULTURE AND WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THOSE ISLAMISTS HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.
ISLAM IS THE PROBLEM AND THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT WAY MUST GO OR DIE FOR THEIR EVIL.

[sDee]

This is more than a politically correct translation. This is selective and intentional targeting by the islamists to undermine the core of our religion. For the islamists, the New Testament is merely a history book.

“baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit": The Trinity, the foundation of Christianity.

“Cleanse them by water in the name of Allah, his Messiah and his Holy Spirit”: One god, Allah, and a couple of hangers-on waiting around for Muhammed.

Got shirk?

[A mid easterneer]

I don't really see the connection here.

contrary to most american's beliefs there are middle easterners who are Christians and Jews. Allah is Arabic for god so to say its a word only for muslims or saying that changing it to fit the middle eastern demographics and calling them islamists doesn't hold any water in the whole argument

[CalifGirlInMaine]

@A mid easterner:
The use of the word "Allah" for "God" is not the main point of the article. It is the substitution of other terms for "Father" and "Son" when those words refer to God and Jesus Christ, which is the main point of the article and the reason for the petition. Substituting other terms for Father and Son strikes at the essence of Christianity.

[Chris LA]

I have no problem with de-emphasizing some of the hot-button issues in Christian theology when first reaching out to Muslims, but once Christians begin hedging on the literal truth of the scripture, they might as will abandon the world to Islam. George Sale, the translator of the 1764 “Jefferson Quran “ had this to say,
"He must have a mean opinion of the Christian religion, or be but ill grounded therein, who can apprehend any danger from so manifest a forgery [as the Koran]. . . The writers of the Romish [Roman Catholic] communion, in particular, are so far from having done any service in their refutations of Mohammedism, that by endeavoring to defend their idolatry and other superstitions, they have rather contributed to the increase of that aversion which the Mohammedans in general have to the Christian religion, and given them great advantages in the dispute. The Protestants alone are able to attack the Koran with success; and for them, I trust, Providence has reserved the glory of its overthrow. In the meantime, if I might presume to lay down rules to be observed by those who attempt the conversion of the Mohammedans, . . . [we should not] quit any article of the Christian faith to gain the Mohammedans."

[Kamalfansa.wordpress.com]

Muslims have no clue who is Jesus Christ in the Quran. This simple answer which we get from the Muslims that Jesus was just a prophet, does not work even for Muslims like me. After 9/11 I did my homework to find out who is Jesus in the Quran. The Story starts with Abraham envisioning a Theocracy, God blesses the idea and established two theocracy for mankind. The Theocracy Monarchy of the Children of Israel, and the Theocracy Republic of Mohamad. Because the Republic conflicts with the Monarchy, it was time for the Monarchy to end . Jesus was the Last King to the Kingdom of the Children of Israel, his job was to end the Kingdom earning him the title "a King with no Kingdom" and paving the way for the Republic Theocracy to start. In the process, the deed to Holy Land was lost as well with the end of the Kingdom. Or as Jesus said it best: Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

[fern]

What in the world is going to wake up the docile masses, what fgs????

This latest shocking appeasement (nail in the coffin) is just absolutely outrageous.

I am staggered this is being allowed and even more staggered that masses of people are not up in arms on the streets. But they won't be, because we've become so lazy, pathetic, apathetic. The remote control is more important!

We're just a bunch of empty headed walk-overs, and I suppose it is our own bleddy fault. We can only blame ourselves for being so complacent. All quite distressing really, sigh.

If people sit back and do nothing, this dumbing down of our societies will continue unhindered, until the 'cult' feels the time is right to step in and fill that vacuum they and their traitorous appeasers deliberately helped to create. The drip-drip effect. Atlas and other like-minded bloggers saw this coming years ago, but it fell on deaf ears as it stil does, obviously. I really don't know what it is going to take for people to wake up - or maybe they just won't, or don't care, f idiots.

Pam, you have the composure and patience of an Angel...I don't know how you do this everyday, really I don't - I'd be in the loony bin by now, wrapped up in a strait jacket. lol.

[American]

The Christian community should demand that these churchs, denominations or teachers or whatever they call themselves be banned as being christian, anything other that what the bible teaches is anti-Christian and should be called out as such...

[Marylou]

It takes a Jewish commentator to point this out, with more honesty in her little finger than Wycliffe seems to have in its whole corporate body. I say this as a Christian. Good on you, terrible on them. I call 'em like I see 'em, and that's just the truth.

[Wesley]

A known fact id that Islam strikes at the heart of Christianity-the sacrificial death of Jesus. Some Christians have joined them and will join them in this, and so we should not be surprised. Expect more of this kind in the future, if there is time left!

[DOUG JOHNSTON]

so let them be offended. if they do not like the BIBLE, THE HOLY WORD OF GOD, them let them put it down and read a comic magazine lIke the word of allah. THE BIBLE IS NOT UP FOR CORRECTION, EDITING, DELETION OR ADDITION,and any red blooded CHRISTIAN that allows this to happen needs to wake up. i have over 14 COPIES OF THE WORD OF GOD, INCLUDING STUDY EDITIONS AND REFERENCE EDITIONS. i will not settle for anything less than HIS TRUE AND COMPLETE WORD!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chrissy Lee]

Let them be offended indeed! There is NO appeasing Islam and Muslims. Their demands will increase, as will the threats and violence and they will keep being offended until kafirs are dead or subjugated.

[Debi Brand]

From a God-loving, God-fearing Christian Conservative: this is all but un-shitting believable.

All but it.

Look to our professing Christian leaders on this--who amongst them will state simple facts with respect to Islam?

[Scott]

The next thing they are going to demand is that the passage warning of "Wolves in sheep's clothing" be removed because it sounds like it may be referring to Mohammed.

It is.

[Bohemond_1096]

ChrIslam - a merging of the two religions, the coming one world religion, to "unite people everywhere..."

http://www.chrislam.org/

[Asha]

I have a great idea! Let's get Muslims to edit out half their Islamist texts including Koran, which outlines death and lying to Infidels, "Slaying" of idolators, and mention of the "wrath of "Allah".

[Boo]

That is the most sickening display of appeasement I've ever heard. To deny your own religion for the sake of kiss assing savages. Pathetic!

[Aussie]

None of these organizations actually have the authority to produce their own translations.

Whilst the KJV is not perfect and has many errors in its English translation, it is still a truer version of the English language than some of these other translations.

The controversy over translation into the vernacular is not new. In fact it is why in the Middle Ages certain groups were made outcast and persecuted. This includes Wycliffe whose translation of the Scriptures was riddled with error.

[Comingofchrist]

Pamela, thank-you for posting about this topic. I know you are Jewish, and so as a Christian I appreciate your calling attention to this strange sickness of fearing to offend others, a sickness that is sweeping the world.

If a person is more afraid to offend Islam than his own god, is he even a follower of his own god?

For many of us Christians I think this is especially appalling because of the particular groups involved. Organizations of this type have been filled with noble people who in some cases have literally given their lives in order to translate the Scriptures into languages which have never had the Word of the Lord before.

To think they would kowtow in this fashion by actually changing God's Word leaves me in utter disbelief.

[Rui Alberto]

well... now mooselmen, a few centuries from now, will claim that our bible was altered indeed... with this exemple on their side as the most recent proof of it grrrrrrrrrrrr

[The Infidel]

This is excellent news, its puts their lack of faith on a pedistal and exposes it to the entire world to see. these groups do not follow G-d, but fear men. Jesus stated quite plainly he would spit them out like the tepid brackish water they are, or throw them out like useless salt that has lost its ability to preserve. By their fruits you will know if they are my followers, and their fruits show them to have rejected Christ thus are not his followers.

As for Israel and the Jews loosing their rights to the holy land of Israel, what a load of balony, its only Christians who do not have a homeland, the Jews have always had Israel, and always will, to say otherwise is to go against the very words of G-d.

So many will convict themselves by their own actions and words, I almost feel a tang of pitty for them, almost.

[Person of the Book]

Accurate translation from one language to another is not easy. You have to consider all of the meaning contained in the target language you have chosen, in order to be as accurate as possible.

That said, it sounds like they're being politically correct here, rather than being accurate:

-- What about all of the previous translations into these languages? Were they inaccurate, and now we're fixing it? Doesn't sound like it.

I'm not sure how you can capture the meaning of "Father" and "Son" without saying the words "Father" and "Son". You might say "parent" instead of "father", or "offspring" instead of "son", but you then lose the gender of the word. Although Jesus is the Messiah, that isn't the same as the Son. Also, Jesus was obviously a man, not a woman. Also, He used the word "Father" many times.

Translating the Bible is a very solemn responsibility. You had better strive for as close to 100% accuracy as you can, or you will incur the judgment of God. If you aren't comfortable with translating what it says, then DON'T TRANSLATE IT!

Think of it: you are telling people that God said something, when in fact He said something else. You are, by definition, a false prophet.

Thank you, Pam, for your accurate description of the Christian mission -- "to share the Gospel."

By the way, that mission includes muslims. We are to share the gospel with them as well -- the ACCURATE gospel. Even if it means persecution. Jesus said, If they hate me, they will hate you. Therefore muslim opposition is in no way a valid excuse for changing the meaning of the Scripture. How will we ever reach muslims for Christ, if we have changed the meaning of the Scriptures?

[Kamalfansa.wordpress.com]

As a Muslim, I would like to know who asked the Christians to Change the Holy Bible to appease the Muslims? The Christians have lived with the Muslims for 1433 years in places like Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and many more. No one before ever dared to request such an insult from another faith. The Muslim did not ask the Christians to Change the bible, in fact, it is the opposite. Christians who want to reclaim Muslim land (i.e. Iraq) are the ones modifying the Bible. They want to pitch the Bible to Muslim societies destroyed by US military and convert them to Christianity. Jesus will not be proud of this, but what do I know, I am only a Muslim.

[Revnant Dream]

From a Bible believing Christian, thank you Pamela for exposing this abomination.
I fear it will only get worse. Its supposed to I'm afraid, if you believe the Prophesies in The NT as well as the OT. Which I believe to be both inspired equally. This all has to0 happen before Abraham's promise to Israel is fulfilled, we believe anyway.

2Th 2:3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness [fn] is revealed, the son of destruction, [fn]

2Th 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Dan 8:9 Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land.

Dan 8:10 It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some [fn] of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them.

Dan 8:11 It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown.

Dan 8:12 And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, [fn] and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper.

Dan 8:13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, "For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?"

Dan 12:11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.

Mar 13:14 "But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

The Church is conspicuously Gone with an Apostate one in its place. This happened once before under the Greeks. Pattern is Prophesy as well as linear passages.
Anyway For both Jews, & whats left of the Church its not going to be pretty.
Of course you can all take this as nonsense as well.
Ask yourself one Question though. Why does the World who so Hate Jews, that despise this people, but accepts or Hates only its God?

[ApolloSpeaks]

THE OLD, NEW AND TRUE TESTAMENTS

If these cowardly, butt kissing ecumenical Christian extremists want to accomodate Moslem sensibilites they'll have to do more than merely censor the offensive words "Father and Son" from their translations of the Gospels. They will need to create an entirely new Bible composed of Hebrew, Christian and Moslem Scriptures and call it The Old, New and True Testaments. That will earn them the praise of Moslems everywhere.

[Zuuuz]

Don't you know that Trinity is idol worshipping? There is only God and he doesn't need an associate. Christ was only a human, it doesn't bequest of God to have a son. That is how muzlums inscribed in stone in their shrine, and that is written in their dogmatic book of evil. They always say they believe in Christ, too, and it is mentioned in Koran. Well, that is exactly how it is mentioned in Koran.

[ruth]

Denying Jesus is Son of God defeats the entire mission of Jesus....He came as Son of God so we would follow his excample and be restored as Sons (children) of God...Clever of satan..He is attempting to keep humanity as spiritual bastards and himself as their god..
John 3-18..He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

These Christians and the Arabians and Islam and muslims have just announced to the world they are indeed the body of antichrist....and that mohammed was the antichrist counterfeit of Jesus....

Bad mistake on their part, now the light will only shine more brilliantly...and the lie of Islam will be clearly understood...

[allahobama]

These are NOT CHRISTians. No way can SATAN (allah, Lucifer) be called GOD. This is just more of the satanic cult called islam injecting their devil worship into FAKE bibles to pervert new CHRISTian converts.

As fake as the Fakastinians, as putrid and satanic as allah.

[NGAIRE]

I AM NOT SORRY TO SAY OR AFRAID TO SAY SENT ALL THESE DARN MUSLIMS BACK WHERE THEY CAME FROM....GOD SEPERATED COUNTRY'S FOR A PURPOSE, AND IT SURELY WASN'T TO HAVE THESE PEOPLE OVER HERE DICTAING WHAT SHOULD BE IN THE BIBLE....NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CHANGE ANYTHING THAT IS IN THE BIBLE, AND I DO MEAN NO ONE....NOT OON EARTH ANYWAY....WHY ARE PEOPLE NOT STANDING UP AGAINST THESE PEOPLE INSTEAD OF LETTING THEM SAY OR DO THINGS LIKE THIS...COMPLETELY WRONG TO CHANGE OUR BIBLE FOR ANYONE....GOD ISN'T GOING TO LIKE THIS AT ALL, HE WILL RETURN SOON...HE HAS TO CAUSE HIS WORLD IS ALL WRONG...L

[Robert Giesken]

Great article and cause for concern. I wonder if some would like to change the words "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" to "Some Lives, Total Freedom, and the Pursuit of Pleasure" so that we don't offend the pro-abortionists.
Mainline Protestant denominations are losing authority just because of things like this. This kind of thing plays into the hands of relativism, where anything or nothing is true.
The article mentions that the Catholic church (the Magisterium) has already rejected "Creator,...... in Place of "Father,..... No doubt this proposed change was an attempt by the feminist movement, including some of our well intentioned sisters. But I can say with total confidence that these words will never be changed in the Catholic church.

[Auntie Gin]

I would hate to be in their shoes when Judgement Day rolls around. You don't change "the Word".

[Pazuzu]

I can't say this with any certainty, but this might piss G-d off.

[karl anglin]

why would a Muslim read a Bible?

[Bohemond_1096]

@A mid easterner:
In muslim countries "Allah " is the only word that is permitted to be translated as God. They are not the same. The God of the Bible is not the god of the Koran.

[Laith Warda]

Revelation 22:18-19

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

[SoCalCons]

What you are doing here Pamela is misleading! The article says they aren't even translating an actual Bible. It says, "Wycliffe and SIL have produced Stories of the Prophets, an Arabic Bible that uses an Arabic equivalent of “Lord” instead of “Father” and “Messiah” instead of “Son.”

And: "Second, Frontiers and SIL have produced Meaning of the Gospel of Christ, an Arabic translation which removes “Father” in reference to God and replaces it with “Allah,” and removes or redefines “Son.”

It sounds to me like 2 publications of stories (not a new translation of the Bible) geared toward an Arabic audience...and yet the article is titled, "New Bible Versions..." very misleading!

[Mike Cahill]

The official SIL Statement on this includes "In SIL, we strongly affirm the eternal deity of Jesus Christ and require that it be preserved in all translations. Scripture translations must promote understanding of the term 'the Son of God' in all its richness, including Jesus' relationship as Son with God the Father." The full statement can be found at
http://www.sil.org/translation/divine_familial_terms.htm
Please, please, before you sign anything, take a look at this. The specific examples in this article and in the petition have a grain of fact and a fair amount of distortion. For example, about the statement "Wycliffe and SIL have produced Stories of the Prophets, an Arabic Bible...", "Stories of the Prophets" was an audio dramatization, not a Bible. I sympathize with the notion of preserving God's truth in translations. Let's also not be so quick to accept accusations against the brethren.

[Revnant Dream]

SoCalCons

The Bible business makes billions World wide, this is not the first time they have diddled with the texts as we see in feminist bibles.
Why would you think their not as greedy as any other group to make money . No matter what?
Its naive to think otherwise.
Like a lot of groups these days, their throwing out a reputation for the fast back. If not political expediency. Most people are not into this for the good of their souls but to make money.

[Shirley Anne]

Their condemnation is deserved. They condemn themselves by their own actions. Pray that they will repent of this evil thing.

Shirley Anne

[Mike Cahill]

New post by SIL responding to accusations like in this page, which at this point I'm willing to clearly call false.
At http://www.sil.org/sil/news/2012/SIL-Son-of-God-translation.htm.

[swd]

muslims r pathetic they take offence to everything that is not allowed by sharia law and r the biggest racists on the planet, if I had my way I would eradicate the w hole lot of them, they are sick degenerates.

[Anna]

The bible was NOT changed for Muslims. I have an email stating that from Wycliff.org Take that down, it is FALSE! Muslims want you to think that!

[912Cyounger]

@anna And who are we suppose to believe? You or our lying eyes??? The bible being changed for any reason is desecration and I can see these politically correct A-holes changing it for the muzzies. Everybody else bows and scrapes to these animals so why should wycliff.org be any different???

Muzzzies are the scourge of the earth and should all be sent back to the desert from which they came, the GOD can turn the sand to glass and let MOOOOOOObamad live with the results.

[SecondJon]

@912Cyounger - "who are we suppose to believe? You or our lying eyes???"

You're swift to anger and swift to condemnation. The Bible isn't being changed (you are simply repeating lies), and which missionaries are you calling "politically correct A-holes" and with what justification? The hatred you have for Christian missionaries is astounding.

This article is full of falsehoods and inaccuracies, many of which are pointed out specifically in other comments. Many of the "NOT IN MY AMERICA!" and "D*MN THOSE MISSIONARIES" comments are shockingly anti-Christian and ignorant.

[MARY]

WHERE IS THE PETITION????? I WANT TO SIGN IT!!!! AND KNOW MANY OTHERS WHO WILL AS WELL.PLS
GIVE US THE LINK TO SIGN!!!!!

[Sandy]

Mike and Anna, etc: The SIL statement does NOT say that this story is false (they do not say that they didn't change the text)- it merely gives different reasons for *why* they changed the text. So answer me this: Why are only the Turkish and Arabic versions changed?

[Sandy]

PS ...and I hope that Debunktion Junction (and others) review the SIL non-denial denial with more care than they reviewed the Butterball non-denial denial... Smearing Pamela Geller isn't worth losing your journalistic integrity

[Cindy]

This is a total disgrace. No wonder "Christians" have a bad name. I call myself a Jesus follower - just to make it clear. I too would hate to be them on judgement day.
But ~ remember - this comes as no surprise to God - He IS in control and knows what is happening. Keep your faith & trust in the Lord and live a Godly example for others!

[SecondJon]

@Cindy: "This is a total disgrace. No wonder "Christians" have a bad name. "

Indeed. Looking at these comments, you'll see how many "Christians" are swift to condemn without knowledge, exactly the sin that Paul called "devouring each other" in the Bible.

[lisa]

What right has a Muslim to censor our Bible and why would they read it anyway, I thought they had their own version, the queran?

[MaryfromMarin]

When God is no longer called “Father” (to make room for Him to be equated with Allah) and Jesus is no longer called the “Son of God” (to make room for Him to be equated with the prophet who is the forerunner of the Islamic Messiah) then Scripture is definitely no longer Scripture. Whatever is left is an open-ended template for perversion of Biblical truth.

[AUSSIE..SPANIARD]

TO MUSLIMS...MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS..SIMPLE.DONT LIKE THE BIBLE THEN GET LOST....

[mom of two]

As a Catholic from the Middle East whose ancestors shed their blood rather than be forced into Islam, I am discusted. Changin even one letter of the scriptures is a sin and will be judged by our Lord.

[artjoydun@verizon.net]

WOW! Have I been duped! No more of my hard-earned money will go to Wycliffe or SIL. I am also disgusted.

[Julie]

Here is the link to sign the petition:

http://www.change.org/petitions/lost-in-translation-keep-father-son-in-the-bible#share

[Kam]

I'm sorry but you all are being deceived by Pamela Gellar and this article, and I am publicly stating that what you Ms. Gellar is unchristian. I urge you to repent and take this article down. Mainstream organizations are not changing the bible to suit Islam and Bibles in the middle east have used Islamic words like "Allah" for CENTURIES. The sentiment behind these lies is hateful and pure Satan and is meant to drive Christians to hate. Yahoo! Contributer Network is not a valid source for anything because anyone can publish an article with them. There is no fact checking whatsoever. None of the links in the article have valid fact checked information.

Only a couple of people picked up on this in the comments. Manipulating Christians for your benefit is shameful. SHAME SHAME SHAME!

[Bob Marshall]

More Americans need to read the book WHY WE LEFT ISLAM which can be found at the WND book store at www.WorldNetDaily.com Not only did these individuals leave Islam at the threat of death but a few, after comparing the Qu'ran to the bible became Christians.

[Drake]

COOL...
Guess this means we can edit the Koran/Quran any way we please?
...let da funzies begin.
The idea of accommodation for any reason subjugates freedom of will.
There is always something someone will disagree with, etc.
Therefore I am Prejudiced about adjustments, especially in areas where the
basis of freedom is challenged to suit anyone who believes differently.
Our founding documents call for freedom of religion in that anyone can
worship as they choose, AND believe as they see fit.
Supposedly GOD sez, no editing...
I'll take His Word over others
So...
Then, as with our God in this case, we can adjust Allah's word to fit how we feel about it? Because some may be offended?
How about exercising your right to freedom of will and simply change channels...?
Don't want to hear it, don't listen, read, or participate...
And NO! I do not allow anyone to TELL me how I am allowed to think or believe.
I wonder how all the churches feel about this?
I wonder what the people of Islam thinks of editing Allah's words?
What's fair for one is fair for ALL...hmmm?
What part of NO doesn't government understand?
AND, some things need to be kept Sacred of anyone's influences, ideas about it, or their feelings.
I hope this causes a very large International Incident, I really do.
Maybe then, these I know better than you do people will QUIT IT!
Those who 'decided' they are better/smarter than GOD, go join something that allows for man to be above God so you don't 'bother' believers anymore.