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| Tealeaves Registered user Username: Tealeaves Post Number: 141 Registered: 5-2004 |
Below I copied a letter from an SDA on the serious concerns he has about the Clear Word "bible", and the IP address of the site where I got it. My husband was able to use this information to get his SDA mother to think seriously about whether or not to use it. Just thought you guys might want the info if such a topic comes up with your families and friends. http://www.bitterscroll.com/clearword.htm A letter from David Newman, Editor of _Ministry_magazine. (1994) July 28, 1994 Now for my personal reactions and you are free to quote me if you wish. Understand that this is my personal opinion and does not represent any official stance of the SDA Church. Dr. Jack Blanco, chair of the religion department at Southern College and the author of the Clear Word Bible is trying to make the Bible clearer which is most commendable. He has done an outstanding job except for the problems I cite below. He makes it clear in the first paragraph of his Preface that "This is not a new translation but a paraphrase of the Scriptures. It is not intended for in-depth study or for public reading in churches." Unfortunately most people do not read prefaces so this very important information will be lost. Already I am hearing reports of it being used in the pulpit and as a textbook in teaching religion. Second the author misunderstands the meaning of the word "paraphrase." A paraphrase is not a loose rendering of someone elses' words with added commentary. A paraphrase whether you use the dictionary definition or the definition used in active listening simply means restating the words of another in your own words without adding to or subtracting from the original meaning. A cursory examination of the Clear Word Bible reveals the prolific addition of many ideas not found in Scripture. Thirdly, where Scripture is ambiguous the author removes the ambiguities. One is left not having to make hardly any interpretations for him or herself. The author has done it for you. God evidently intended that each reader struggle with the text and decide personally how to resolve these ambiguities and tensions. Two quick examples come to mind. In 1 Cor. 15:29 we find the difficult phrase baptized for the dead. The author resolves the difficulty by telling us that being baptized in the hope of seeing dead loved ones is meaningless if you do not believe in the resurrection. Revelation 1:10 no longer has us puzzling over which day of the week the Lord's day is. The author tells us that it is the Sabbath. Fourthly, the author has intertwined so much of Ellen White into his commentary that the general effect has been to canonize Ellen White. The author adds to Scripture in Genesis 2:25 by following Ellen White and saying that Adam and Eve were clothed with a garment of light. Daniel 8:14 is now clear that the judgment began after 2300 prophetic years. Fifthly, the title chosen for this work is most unfortunate. This is not a Bible. It is a personal commentary on Scripture but it is not the Bible. Yet the title clearly identifies it as a Bible. It is really a specialized commentary on the Bible. Sixthly, while the author says it is a paraphrase the format inside is not that of a paraphrase but that of the King James Bible. While most modern versions format by paragraph this "Bible" is formatted verse by verse so that it clearly looks like a traditional bible. Seventh, I fear what our critics will say when they find how much Ellen White has contributed to this "bible" without any credit being given to her at all. It would be interesting to find out what percentage of this work owes itself to Ellen White. In summary. While I believe that the intentions of the author were honorable and while I am sure he has been greatly blessed I fear that this commentary will eventually confuse people more than it will help people. Already one person has brought it to my Sabbath School class and read from it. _People_will_begin_memorizing_it_and_quoting_it_as_Scripture. I know that this was not the intent of the author but that is what the practical effects will be. I am sure that the author does not believe that the words of Revelation 22:18 "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book." apply to this version. But since it is called a Bible some might draw the opposite conclusions. He should have made it far clearer on the conver and in the formatting that this is not another Bible but a personal commentary on Scripture. I hope that the author would withdraw or at the very least drastically revise this book. Yours for the uplifting of God's true Word, J. David Newman Editor _Ministry_ | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 870 Registered: 11-2002 |
Rev. 22:18 seems to fit that book quite well. | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 29 Registered: 7-2004 |
I just finished a perusal of the site you indicated and am once again so thankful that God has seen fit to open my eyes to SDA deception. We must all be bold and call it by its proper name. I know we constantly must deal with our SDA family and friends, but they have got to be hungry in their inmost hearts for the true fruit of the Living Gospel. The stuff they are being fed from The Clear Word is dung! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 604 Registered: 12-2003 |
Good point, Belvalew. They are undoubtedly hungry for the Living Gospel somewhere deep inside where they don't know what to call the restlessness they feel. | ||
| Tealeaves Registered user Username: Tealeaves Post Number: 148 Registered: 5-2004 |
My husband just talked to his parents yesterday about their use of the Clear Word. They are SDA teachers, and they have said that they use the Clear Word to teach some of the Bible classes with. (many of the students are not SDA, by the way.) So he decided to disucss that with them. They said they actually are beginning to use the Message more and more instead. He still talked to them about the possibility that an actual Bible translation would be better teach out of than a paraphrase, They semi-agreed. But I think they are of the thinking that you just want to spoon-feed kids the "truth" rather than encouraging to explore on their own and run the risk of them coming up with some different sort of conclusion. So we are still praying for this situation. I think that the religious instruction that private school kids get in school is many times all that they get, because their parents figure that they are learning it in school, so why bother reiterating. I think this is absolutely wrong and dangerous! I'd rather have my kid in a secular school and be teaching them from the Bible and by living a God-centered lifestyle at home, than have them in a religious school and not be informed or directly involved in their spiritual instruction. Join me in prayer for the SDA schools? That they will be teaching the Gospel, and not using the Clear Word..... | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 94 Registered: 7-2004 |
Thank you for asking for prayer for SDA schools. Unfortunately, my children are still in the system. (It's a long story and one I'll share sometime.) One thing that I would like to add is special prayer for those of us still dealing with the system. My eyes and ears are wide open. I am constantly telling my children about the wonderful gift of grace and I look at it as a positive experience in that I can counter all the SDA "truths" with Bible truths and I feel extra blessed by the strong incentive it gives us as a family to be in God's Word. Both my kids know where I disagree with SDA beliefs and know that they can discuss everything openly with me. I know they are going to learn things from grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins...so at least I can take on the enemy head-on. Please pray specifically that I will stay alert and aware and have the Holy Spirit's insight in dealing with the teachers and principle. THANKS! | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 513 Registered: 3-2004 |
Dd, You, your children and the SDA school they attend are in my prayers. Keep on teaching them what the Bible really teaches. God will teach you and them and will Bless you. God is awesome. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 624 Registered: 12-2003 |
Praying for you, Dd. Colleen | ||
| Praisegod Registered user Username: Praisegod Post Number: 176 Registered: 3-2004 |
We are in Tennessee, celebrating Christmas with family. Yesterday we stopped at Collegedate to shop at the Village Market. (Hey, what can I say, I LIKE being a vegetarian.  ) Since we were a little ahead of schedule, we decided to stop at the ABC. It's interesting that in the section marked "Bibles" there front and center was a huge section of The Clear Word. It's amazing that while claiming it's not a Bible at all, that the book store realizes that's exactly where people will look. Also, it seemed there were more types, sizes of that translation than the others, surprisingly enough. When will they learn they can't have it both ways? "Devotional" or "Bible." Praise God... | ||
| Goldenbear Registered user Username: Goldenbear Post Number: 26 Registered: 12-2004 |
Have you heard George Carlins routine on oxymorons? Hot Water Heater Jumbo Shrimp Sometimes I would class the Clear Word Version of the bible in this group. It isn't "Clear" and it isn't truly the bible. |
