John the Apostle began his gospel with these words, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God.” [John 1:1. KJV] From this single verse we can know that God and His word preceded creation. Thus, the word of God is eternal and His truth unchangeable. It reflects His holiness and commands. God’s word was given to the authors of the Bible through inspiration. Their inspired thoughts and verbalizations were recorded and man received revelation about the nature and character of God and man’s place in the story of creation, the Fall, and restoration. When we accept the Word we acquire wisdom and are given everlasting life with Him.
Because Satan is the enemy of God, he is also the enemy of God’s special created being—man. Satan is a liar and deceiver, and his first effort to break man’s relationship with God was the deception of Eve in the Garden. Words were his chosen weapon. First, question the meaning of what God had said, “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” After meaning is brought into question, then the big lie can be accommodated, “Ye shall not surely die.”
We can judge an age by the way it treats language. In our modern age many have abandoned objective truth and therefore the fixities of language for that of a heightened interest in semantics. Semantics deal with the historical and psychological study and classification of changes in the meaning of words and their development. Within such a semantical concept of language, words no longer reflect unchangeable truth but only perceptions or qualities which are changeable over time. In effect, words have been stripped of their meaning and are separated from the thing it represents. In this theory of language, meaning becomes relativistic and pragmatic, and ideals become hallucinations.[1] In other words, the unchanging substance of words is replaced by the current, changeable, pragmatic meanings that can be made to fit the modernists’ humanistic understanding of the age. When their understanding of the age changes, so too must the meaning of words. But if words lose their meaning, truth also becomes meaningless, and there can be no ideal.
Words matter
The belief that the Bible is infallible (unfailing and by implication without error) arises from our understanding that the scriptures were God-breathed, that is, written by human hands but under the inspiration of God. However, humanists often attempt to undermine the authority of the Scripture by pointing to the many translations of the Bible through the centuries which they say results in an almost certain decline in accuracy when compared to the original versions. Even some Christians use such phrases as “the divine inspiration and infallibility of Holy Scripture as originally given” which implies that later translations are less than infallible and therefore not as reliable. In the less faithful translations, that assumption is true. However, in every age Christians have not only pointed to the inerrancy of the Scripture, they also point to God’s providential preservation of the Scripture. If we believe that God through divine inspiration and exact precision revealed His will and intent to mankind, may we not also rightly believe that God would not allow His Word to be corrupted and thereby in His infinite wisdom sustained the accuracy of his revelation through the centuries? The answer is an unqualified yes, and we can without hesitation know His truth through the usage of standard and long-accepted translations such as the Vulgate and King James as well as other faithful modern translations.
There are numerous scriptures in the Old and New Testaments that make it clear that the Bible should not be tampered with even to the smallest degree. Moses (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32), Paul (Galatians 1:6-9), and John (Revelation 22:18-19) all warned that nothing should be added to or taken away from the word of God. Yet, we know that the Bible has been translated into hundreds of languages and many times within a single language. Is this a reason for concern among those relying on the Bible’s infallibility? As long as the Bible remains whole, there should be concern only when there is a change in meaning of the scriptures from that of original sources and faithful translations.
Over the centuries, attempts to corrupt the Bible have occurred in all three ways: the adding to, the taking away, and the corruption of meaning. The liberal church has been guilty of all three (See Chapter 13). For the last several decades many evangelical churches in America have tampered with the meaning of scripture and have ignored large portions of the Bible in their preaching and teaching of doctrine—a form of taking away.
A. W. Tozer wrote of the importance of the purity and soundness of doctrine.
It is the sacred task of all Christians, first as believers and then as teachers of religious beliefs, to be certain that these beliefs correspond exactly to truth.
The apostles not only taught truth but contended for its purity against any who would corrupt it.
In every field of human thought and activity accuracy is considered a virtue. To err ever so slightly is to invite serious loss, if not death itself. Only in religious thought is faithfulness to truth looked upon as fault…when they come to consideration of things heavenly and eternal they hedge and hesitate as if truth either could not be discovered or didn’t matter anyway.
We have gotten accustomed to the blurred puffs of gray fog that pass for doctrine in modernistic churches and expect nothing better, but it is a cause for real alarm that the fog has begun of late to creep into many evangelical churches.[2] [emphasis added]
In the remainder of this chapter we shall examine the ways in which the meaning of the Bible has been corrupted and how much of the Bible is being taken away by being ignored.
Corruption of the Bible through use of unfaithful translations
One source of doctrinal corruption that is creeping into evangelical churches occurs through the pervasive, careless use of unfaithful translations. This is particularly evident in the Church Growth movement. When Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Life, he claims to have used a thousand quotations from scripture and lists fifteen translations used. He does so because he believes that all translations have their limitations.[3] Using this logic, it seems that somehow verses from these limited (and by implication “flawed”) translations can be combined to come up with truth superior to what any one of them might offer. However, the truth or falsity of his statement is not the point. The real question is how can the use of a substandard translation be justified over a translation proven faithful to the meaning and intent of the scriptures, particularly when the source is merely the written opinion of an individual in a questionable paraphrase as opposed to a translation by a committee of Bible scholars?
Warren also thinks that many readers have become so familiar with certain translations that familiar Bible verses lose their impact. However, the Bible does not need to be presented in “new, fresh ways.” Because it is the unchanging and powerful word of God, the impact on the attentive reader will not be lessened. To the contrary, many Christians often find new meaning and insights when reading long-familiar passages and wonder how those new meanings and insights were missed only to realize the Holy Spirit has opened their hearts and minds to something needed at that moment. Those revelations don’t come from fumbling between fifteen different translations.
Also, Warren often does not bother to quote the entire verse because “division and number were not included in the Bible until 1560 A.D.” It is interesting to note that eight of the fifteen translations used in The Purpose Driven Life have copyright dates in the 1990s, and all but the King James Version date from the late 1950s.[4] Little needs to be said here other than to point out that such scriptural text bites or sound bites are frequently divorced from the larger meaning and context of biblical passages, and they are often used merely to “prove” or prop up man’s opinions.
One of Warren’s favorite translations that he often uses is Eugene Peterson’s The Message[TM]. But Peterson’s work has serious flaws that fail the tests of what makes a faithful translation or even a good paraphrase. Colossians 1:16 is a significant test of Peterson’s work with regards to both faithfulness and comprehension.
For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. [Colossians 1:16. TM]
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. [Colossians 1:16. KJV]
“Rank after rank after rank of angels”
The King James Version, Modern Language, Living Bible, Revised Standard Version, and the New International Version use the following words in verse 16: thrones, dominations, principalities (KJV); thrones, lordships, rulers, authorities (ML); kings, kingdoms, rulers, authorities (LB); thrones, dominations, principalities, authorities (RSV); and thrones, powers, rulers, authorities (NIV). However, only Peterson uses the phrase “rank after rank after rank of angels.” Compared to the five other versions, Peterson’s phrase is virtually incomprehensible and borders on gibberish. If the major test of a version’s reliability is to remain true to the meaning of the scriptures while being understandable, and if verse 16 is representative of the entire body of Peterson’s work, then The Message is an abject failure.
“As above, so below”
Although Peterson’s phrase in verse 16 is essentially meaningless, the phrase “above and below” is of far greater concern. Writing in Deceived on Purpose, Warren Smith presents a very compelling case that the phrase “as above, so below” contains strong New Age implications. All other versions mentioned in the preceding paragraph contain the words “heaven” and “earth” in verse 16. Only Peterson uses “above and below.” Peterson also uses this phrase in The Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:10. The King James Version reads, “Thy kingdom come. They will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” The Message reads, “Do what’s best—as above, so below.”[5]
Peterson’s “as above, so below” is a commonly accepted New Age maxim which holds that the transcendent God outside of the physical universe and the immanent God within each one of us are one.[6] This is blatant pantheism which was discussed in Chapter 16 and is the central belief of the New Age movement discussed in Chapter 19.
“Permeated with oneness”
Another verse from The Message that is packed with New Age connotations is Ephesians 4:6 where Paul is speaking to the church at Ephesus.
The Message reads, “…one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.” [Ephesians 6:4. TM]
The King James Version reads, “One God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. [Ephesians 6:4. KJV]
Peterson calls God by the name of Oneness. Christians have the Holy Spirit dwelling within, but they are not permeated by Oneness. Again, we look to the King James and the four other versions previously mentioned. None call God anything but God and Father.
Oneness is a New Age foundational doctrine and “is inextricably linked to the understanding that god is ‘in’ everything.” Smith cites two specific quotes from A Course in Miracles that have obvious similarities to The Message’s version of Ephesians 6:4. “God is in everything I see… The oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity and your limitless power.” One New Age false Christ says that, “My name is Oneness.”[7]
“Immanent”
Warren flirts with the New Age not only through various New Age-friendly translations but also in his own teaching materials at Saddleback Church. Smith quotes from one of the Foundations courses taught at Saddleback in which Warren appears to hold a New Age view of immanence.
The fact that God stands above and beyond his creation does not mean he stands outside his creation. He is both transcendent (above and beyond his creation) and immanent (within and throughout his creation).[8] [parentheses in original, emphasis added]
Immanent means inherent, intrinsic, innate, and internal. As previously noted, pantheism teaches that God is (immanent) in everything and everyone (See Chapter 16). In spite of Saddleback’s teaching materials, the Bible tells us that God does not reside in those who are not His children.
But are we picking nits and being too hard on Warren for occasionally bumping or stepping over the line where doctrinal truth ends because his audience really knows what he means? If Tozer were alive today, he would most certainly say otherwise and include Warren among those that emit “blurred puffs of gray fog that pass for doctrine.”
Taking away from the Bible by ignoring large portions
In the previous chapter it was stated that in seeker-sensitive preaching, there is an inherent conflict between preaching some themes, topics, and doctrines of the Bible and the goal of the Church Growth movement of being sensitive to the feelings and needs of the unchurched. This conflict is the principal reason many evangelical churches ignore serious exposition of major portions of the Bible that appear to not be seeker-friendly.
One example of those major themes seldom addressed with any depth by preachers in the Church Growth movement is the prophetic second coming of Christ and the end of the world. In The Purpose Driven Life, Warren cautions his readers that we should not waste time on figuring out prophecy because it was really none of their business.
Today there’s a growing interest in the second coming of Christ and the end of the world. When will it happen? Just before Jesus ascended to heaven the disciples asked him the same question, and his response was quite revealing. He said, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” [Acts 1:7-8. NIV]
When the disciples wanted to talk about prophecy, Jesus quickly switched the conversation to evangelism. He wanted them to concentrate on their mission in the world. He said in essence, “The details of my return are none of our business. What is your business is the mission I’ve given you. Focus on that!”…
If you want Jesus to come back sooner, focus on fulfilling your mission, not figuring out prophecy…
He (Satan) will do all kinds of good things as long as you don’t take anyone to heaven with you. But the moment you become serious about your mission, expect the Devil to throw all kinds of diversions at you. When that happens, remember the words of Jesus: “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”[9] [Luke 9:62. LB]
Did Jesus really tell the disciples that it was none of their business to know the details of His return and that they should get on with the mission? In order to forestall a subject that may not fit the seeker-sensitive mindset, Warren knowingly and wrongly commingles the disciples question about the signs of his coming and the end of the world with when those events would happen in order to dismiss the importance of prophecy. A complete reading of Matthew 24 leads to a conclusion that is the complete opposite of what Warren has said in The Purpose Driven Life.
And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, say, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world? [Matthew 24:3. KJV]
First, the disciples’ question has two parts. Jesus spent the remaining thirty-nine verses of Matthew 24 answering those questions. All but one verse dealt with the signs of His return and the end of the world. In verse 36, He answered the first part of their question as to “when” the events would occur, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” There was no rebuke of the disciples for asking when He would return nor did He say that the details of His return and the end of the world were none of their business. To the contrary, in verse 42 Jesus told His disciples to “Keep watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doeth come.” How could the disciples keep watch without knowing the signs of His coming and the end of the world? They could not.
This is one example of Warren’s use of multiple translations (version shopping) to prove a point but cloud the meaning of Scripture. He used a verse from Living Bible in an attempt to link interest in prophecy with being distracted from the work of evangelism. “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” [Luke 9:62. LB] However, the King James reads, “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” [Luke 9:62. KJV] Verses 57-62 are principally a teaching about discipleship (following Christ and not looking back to the worldly life) and not evangelism as Warren would have us believe.
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Writing over a half century ago, Tozer’s words appear to be an apt and prophetic description of many in today’s evangelical churches.
The human mind is capable of plenty of mischief without any help from the devil. Some persons have a positive genius for getting confused and will mistake illusion for reality in broad daylight with the Bible open before them.[10]
Larry G. Johnson
Sources:
[1] Richard M. Weaver, Ideas Have Consequences, (Chicago, Illinois: The University of Chicago Press, 1948), pp. 150-152.
[2] A. W. Tozer, Man – The Dwelling Place of God, (Camp Hill, Pennsylvania: WingSpread Publishers, 1966, 1997), pp. 181-182, 184.
[3] Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life – What Am I Here For? (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2002, 2011, 2012), pp. 345-346.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Warren Smith, Deceived on Purpose, (Magalia, California: Mountain Stream Press, 2004), pp. 30-31.
[6] Ibid., p. 29.
[7] Ibid., p. 84.
[8] Ibid., p. 157.
[9] Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life – What Am I here For? pp. 283-284.
[10] Tozer, Man – The Dwelling Place of God, p. 133.
