...But now there is a major controversy developing as the latest altered Bibles are being created by organizations that most would think of as being more conservative and reasonable. At the forefront of the controversy are the Wycliffe Bible Translators, the Summer Institute of Linguistics and Frontiers, all of which are producing Bible translations that remove or modify terms which they have deemed offensive to Muslims.
That’s right: Muslim-friendly Bibles.
Included in the controversial development is the removal of any references to God as “Father,” to Jesus as the “Son” or “the Son of God.” One example of such a change can be seen in an Arabic version of the Gospel of Matthew produced and promoted by Frontiers and SIL. It changes Matthew 28:19 from this:
“baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”
to this:
“cleanse them by water in the name of Allah, his Messiah and his Holy Spirit.”
A large number of such Muslim-sensitive translations already are published and well-circulated in several Muslim-majority nations such as Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia.
http://www.wnd.com/2...-as-son-of-god/
My first, knee-jerk reaction was...How dare they! Wycliffe?!?! Muslim friendly?!?!?!
Then I gave it some thought...There are many cultures worldwide and many terms for "God". The phrase “cleanse them by water in the name of Allah, his Messiah and his Holy Spirit.” is still very clear on the different parts of the divine nature.
Does the rephrasing diminish the impact or does it broaden the ability to reach other people/cultures? I know several people that don't necessarily use the term "God". One even calls Him the "Planet Maker"...Can't argue with that one.
That’s right: Muslim-friendly Bibles.
Included in the controversial development is the removal of any references to God as “Father,” to Jesus as the “Son” or “the Son of God.” One example of such a change can be seen in an Arabic version of the Gospel of Matthew produced and promoted by Frontiers and SIL. It changes Matthew 28:19 from this:
“baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”
to this:
“cleanse them by water in the name of Allah, his Messiah and his Holy Spirit.”
A large number of such Muslim-sensitive translations already are published and well-circulated in several Muslim-majority nations such as Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia.
http://www.wnd.com/2...-as-son-of-god/
My first, knee-jerk reaction was...How dare they! Wycliffe?!?! Muslim friendly?!?!?!
Then I gave it some thought...There are many cultures worldwide and many terms for "God". The phrase “cleanse them by water in the name of Allah, his Messiah and his Holy Spirit.” is still very clear on the different parts of the divine nature.
Does the rephrasing diminish the impact or does it broaden the ability to reach other people/cultures? I know several people that don't necessarily use the term "God". One even calls Him the "Planet Maker"...Can't argue with that one.