FROM WHERE I STAND – February 16, 2002

It would not surprise anyone who knows me to find out I had 12 different Bibles in my library, many of them different versions besides the King James.

So when I write an article about another Bible coming onto the market saying it is not necessary, people are going to ask why I feel that way.

My reasoning is simple, the new "gender-sensitive" Bible is just another in the long line of Biblical revisions that is being weighed in the balances and found wanting.

One thing is sure; we need not help G-d by trying to explain things in a more sensitive, tender way – in order to not be offensive to certain groups.

For instance, as a Christian believer, do I need to rewrite the Bible and remove all references of G-d choosing Jerusalem and the Jews over any other capitol city and group of people? Absolutely not.

The problem with this new version is much like Cain's inappropriate sacrifice, Abraham's involvement with a bondwoman, and King David taking the census – trying to help G-d.

Personally, I find nothing in the Scriptures that supports a non-feminine approach, nor a derogatory stand against women.

Like any other erroneous doctrinal issue, it stems from one of the following problems - improper translation, misunderstanding of the text, personal agenda or gain, or taking a statement out of context and becoming a pretext. In all of the scenarios, it is not because G-d's Word is fallible or He needs help…

In regard to feminism and the Scriptures, it is safe to say there is an overreaction to the wrong feeling about women, thereby perpetuating "the need for another Bible".

We can read the Gospels and see that if anyone ever had a proper relationship with women it was Jesus.  He showed that example to the original twelve disciples and to those of us that would follow.

Notice Peter’s concept of the word and its relevance to life, "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and G-dliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. II Peter 1:3,4.

To me, “all things that pertain unto life and G-dliness” speaks of an all-encompassing concept of G-d's love and plan for mankind - both men and women.

Now there will be those who will say that is not enough of a gender-specific statement, so let me be a little more specific.

In Genesis 2:24, man is commanded to leave his family and cleave unto his wife and Proverbs 18:22 states "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the L-rd".

I find it ironic that we can read this type of instruction in the Scripture, then the Apostle Paul would have to warn of those who would come forbidding to marry. I Timothy 4:3

I realize that there have been many bad stigmas attached to women, but to evaluate them, we must be "situation-wise".  Do we demean women because Rahab acted on G-dly precepts to help the Israelite spies? Eve was deceived, but Adam did not lead.

Was it the evil pagan women of Canaan, or was it Solomon's foolishness that led to his demise? Annanias and Sapphira died together for conspiring to lie and would we declare man evil because of Judas Iscariot?

Negative teaching about women does not bring glory to G-d, as it is not a balanced approach to G-d's Word - yet we cannot overcompensate and go to the extreme in the opposite direction.

Overcompensation never accomplishes positive results and a "gender-sensitive" Bible will only cloud the issues, bringing more confusion.

My portable Bible computer lists 18 references to the counsel of G-d, but Paul said, "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of G-d " Acts 20:27.  From this, I must state the whole counsel of G-d will eliminate the problem of overcompensation and people trying to help G-d from being "offensive" to any group who feels singled out.

The Psalmist wrote, "The law of the L-rd is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the L-rd is sure, making wise the simple." Psalms 19:7

If we could just grasp the essence of G-d's Word, new Bible translations and "extra teachings" would not be necessary.  Our time and energy could then be spent declaring the whole counsel of G-d's Word.