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UK: No Getting Stoned In New Bible

Jamie Doward

The Observer

Sunday 13 Mar 2005

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For centuries scholars have argued over the most delicate nuances of
biblical texts, passionately debating whether key words should be tweaked
to reflect cultural changes.

But, despite the fervent exchange of such learned views, there has been no
fretting about whether the Bible endorses dope-smoking. Until now.

A 15-strong panel of eminent theologians and linguists was so concerned
that young people reading the Bible today are confusing the phrase 'stoned'
not with Old Testament executions but with drugs, that it has suggested a
radical clarification to a forthcoming edition of the sacred text.

In an attempt to clear up any confusion on the part of Britain's youth,
Today's New International Version Bible, published by Hodder & Stoughton on
Tuesday, updates the original edition, published 27 years ago, so that
people are 'stoned to death', rather than 'stoned'.

'We wanted to keep it from being confused with drug addiction,' Professor
Ronald Youngblood, who chaired the panel, told the Church Times newspaper.

The clarification is an effort by the panel to modernise its earlier
edition of the Bible, which became the most popular English language
version in the world.

Scholars may sense political correctness in the changes. Out goes
terminology such as 'he', 'man' and 'men', replaced by 'person' or
'people'. In comes an attempt to dispel anti-Semitic interpretations of the
New Testament. John 5:16 now reads 'Jewish leaders', rather than Jews,
'began to persecute Jesus'.

The panel said that the changes were being made to 'increase understanding'
rather than make the Bible more contemporaneous.

'There is a need to reach today's generation with language they can
understand and relate to,' the panel states on the TNIV website.

Overall, around seven per cent of the original New International Version
Bible has been altered in a bid to bring clarity to a new generation of
readers. Some of the changes appear trivial. For example, Matthew's use of
the word 'tunic' becomes 'shirt' and his phrase 'with child' becomes
'pregnant'. However, some changes are more profound. Use of the word
'Christ', which was popular with Greek-speaking churches, has been replaced
by the Hebrew title 'Messiah'.

 

 

 

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