Politcally Correct Christ

Sure. Its a free country, and perhaps many people would actually prefer the newer version. The Bible is just a book---its not an object of worship. Personally, I have no use for (the all inclusive translation), but interpretations of anything are poetic license. The more that the fundies get up in arms over it, the more copies it will sell! Edited by Phat, : clarification

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“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way” --C.S.Lewis

Of course you don't! You believe that an individual has a right and a duty to interpret anything according to our own mind and reasoning capability.You put the word FUN back in FUNdamental! Upon examing the text, I dont see how it changes the God whom I know in my heart. It may very well help some people to open up to God in unique and new ways.As Jar says, the book is a map---directions how to understand God and how to open up to receive God. The book is not an idol.I still get irked when people call God a "she" though! Im such a chauvenist Pig!Edited by Phat, : kept jar from being misquoted

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“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way” --C.S.Lewis

One point to keep in mind, however.IF Jesus is Divine, nothing that anyone ever says or writes will ever change that fact. This brings up an interesting side debate. How do we know which version of the Bible is actually the true Holy one? I use the NIV a lot, yet have read critiques on it from various authors. Some of the more conservative Christians maintain the KJV as the only accurate Bible. I highly doubt that God expects us to be experts in Greek and Hebrew in order to understand what it was that we were meant to know. Gotta look this up! and of course a fundamentalist would trot out this scripture:
2 Tim 3:16-17-- All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (from New International Version)What does that translate to in the Inclusive Bible?

Besides being off topic, this is a hasty generalization. Are ALL Muslims terrorists? No. Neither are ALL Christians haters. Lets keep personal jibes to a minimum.We now return to our regularly scheduled topic! One point of view says that anything ever written or discussed is open to personal interpretation.Another point of view says that certain beliefs by definition are written in stone. Like the idea that Jesus was a man and not a woman.As for God, we know no gender, unless a person ascribes to the belief that Jesus is God. In that case, God took on a human male form in order to relate to people at one point in time. The other side of that debate, however, would say that God (If God exists) has interacted with humanity in many forms, many cultures and many religions throughout History. (or is it Herstory?)

I would argue that it depersonalizes Christ. The whole point is to personalize Him! (Not her, by the way) If you are referring to God the Father, I agree.The counter-argument to all of this is that nobody really knows for certain how God establishes realationship to humanity. As a Believer, I believe that God finds us---we do not find Him. (and yes...I am comfortable using the gender of Him to refer to God. )Scripture says that Does that mean that In Christ I should not consider myself as a male? I suppose that I AM His Bride, after all! Peter Kreeft, a well known Catholic Apologist, delivered this talk which I found on the net. Quite an interesting perspective. I would assert that God in human form is Christ and that Christ is male. That does not preclude God from indwelling a female, however. In fact, the Bride of Christ represents humanity that accepts the communion.

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“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way” --C.S.Lewis

There is a Christian youth minister by the name of Fred Lynch. He recently made a hip hop version of the Gospel of John that has many critics and many more supporters.
http://www.gettheepic.com/experience_epic.htm It is controversial, to be sure. Here is a sample: Nemesis--what do you think of this translation? Edited by Phat, : added features

The authors of the epic were careful to not merely use the current street slang in their prose.

quote:

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We are seeking to develop a new style of artistic literature with The Epic. Therefore, it isn't a 'slang driven' work. In fact, the colloquialisms that we use are more wide spread to Mainstream America as opposed to using sub-cultural slang words that marginalize. Of course, with time slang-words and even socially descriptive words change. This is the reason why we are going to great lengths to develop the Epic in a way that recaptures the passion and potency of the unchanging truth of God’s Word in a language that teens use today. When looking at classical works of art even in the world of mainstream Hip Hop, you find songs that were able to capture great thought and become timeless. Songs like Rappers Delight by Sugar Hill gang (1979); The Message by Grand Master Flash (1982); I ain't no joke by Rakim (1986) Nothing but a 'G' thang by Snoop Dog (1998) all have a sense of the climate of their day, but transcend time with their words and still make sense to kids today, and will speak to future generations.

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What are the motives of the translators? Do they seek to change the popular perception of the Bible or do they seek to add to the rich tapestry and elaborate on the sweet meaning behind communion with our Creator?

I recently got together with some of my Christian friends who were raised in the church but who are currently not religious.Sparking discussion, I played Devils advocate with them and argued from the position that the Bible was not word for word literal, nor infallible. We bantered back and forth attempting to solidify our positions, but in the end we quoted scriptures to each other and ended up in agreement.It has been said by some that quoting (or quotemining) is an inefficient way of determining exactly what it is that the Bible says.I am not an advocate of worshipping the Bible nor of savoring every word contained within.What I HAVE discovered, at least in the paradigms of my own belief, is that Jesus Christ is philosophically in harmony with truth as I see it and perceive it. I will be accused of abandoning critical thinking and unbiased thought in favor of "indoctorinated Christian fundamental propaganda" but in the end, a man has to either stand for something or fall for anything that their itching ears wants to believe.Its like this guy on the radio that I just listened to. He wrote a book called Islam Rising that presents the radically Christian fundamentalist view which states, basically, that the beliefs are incompatible.Many wish to have a P.C. Christ who cares not what people say but by what they do. Consider, however...what it is that people do?Im not saying that the United States is doing Gods will in our global power politics.I also think that the Islamic peoples want to be left alone with their religion and that this is what is causing the conflicts....assets being seized by the Islamic world are being fought for and taken back by the Western Imperialists.In Turkey in the twenties, the root groups of the Muslim Brotherhood are what now form many of the militant organizations today.Without straying too far off topic, I might ask if we as Western Christians know how much we will need to sacrifice if we are to allow our countries to take these wars seriously.Christ is Christ. He is not just another religious figure. Truly, He came to divide rather than to unite. To follow Christ, we must give up our way of life if there is to be peace in this world.(Now if only I can let the pesky union push me around, am I being Christ-like?)

I don't believe that the Bible is just a book in the sense that it is entirely of human origin. I believe that there is a living character that transcends the book: Jesus Christ.That being said, I don't believe that the book is word for word literal.I do believe that the book is thought for thought literal.Each story is a parable or a lesson. It matters not whether the event actually happened (such as the Flood.) What matters is the lesson that is to be learned from the story.

I am not Jewish, and feel that the 613 or so Laws are not for me.Heck, lets think about the Ten Commandments--in which case I am much like Ian.I am aware of the standards, however. Here are my basic commandments.1) Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thy own understanding. In other words, knowing that Christ is alive based on the experiences, observations, and internal unctions that I have had--I feel that it is my duty to pray and communicate with Him. I ask Him to convict me and keep me doing as He would do were He me.2) Love God and ask Him to give me the desire to love others as He does. This goes against the basic grain of human nature. If it were easy to live, there would be no wars. There would be no poverty. I would be able to get along with my co-workers without feeling jealousy, competition, and devious survival tactics.I would be able to not only love the strong young men whom I admire, but the wrinkled old men, the crabby old ladies, and the retarded, difficult people that demand much attention but have nothing to give me.Only through Christ can you love the least of these. Its not just some behavior trait that He taught us we could do. Its allowing His love--His Spirit to shine through us. This means surrender to Him on a daily basis.3)Im thinking---but there appears to be no "3". Perhaps I will remember it later.

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“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "All right, then, have it your way” --C.S.Lewis

Im quite convinced that next to all of those symbolic "mansions" and streets of gold, God has built a special pub just for Brian. You should see the effect of the drinks in that place! Talk about communion!

Have you read any apologists who in any way challenged you? I think that there was one who was once a lawyer...I forget his name...was it Greenleaf or something? As far as convincing someone, sometimes I think that the best apologists speak from the heart rather than from the mind.Of course....given that I have no mind, its easy for me to say!

Interesting, Robin. I read this page from that author. The ideas are still digesting. Edited by Phat, : oops I did it again

That kinda shoots a hole in the foot of knowledge of good and evil.Are you suggesting that rather than the black/white awareness of good/evil which we are innately aware of...rather...there is just an acknowledgement (a rather gray one) of humanity as just being "human"???Sounds like a great ploy by a defense attorney to get a murderer off the hook!

So are you suggesting that Christ(If He exists ) should allow us to do whatever we want? Lets go with your hypothesis for a moment. (Allow me to get a bit Jar-esque) IF God sent His Son, who was and is eternal..(as is God), to earth as a witness to the absolute and unconditional love of God, then DOES everyone have to acknowledge this authority and law? IF God accepted everyone---those who believe and those who mock---then does that make Gods love unconditional?? In order to make the whole thing work, DO people have to acknowledge God at some point?If not, would it be unconditional love for God to allow the unbelievers to continue to exist in their own comfort zone?