I Get Email from Compromised Christian Leaders

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog about a new translation of the Bible known as the Common English Bible (CEB). There are numerous problems with this liberal translation, including the inclusion of the clearly unscriptural books of the apocrypha. I wrote to a friend of mine who is a member of one of the denominations that was associated with the translation of the CEB. I told him of my concerns, and he forwarded my email to a leader in this particular denomination (which is well known). Below is a portion of the email I received from this Christian leader:

I would want you to know that I share some of your concerns . . . . we have always been known for our great faith in the inspiration and authority of Scripture as the inspired Word of God. It is God's word to us.

You would know that our theologians and pastors are free to participate in such activities and do so quite often. I would invite you to be a partner in prayer with us as we engage the church on such matters.

When I read it, I couldn’t help but think this was a disgustingly weak and compromised answer. If this Christian leader really believes in the inspiration and authority of Scripture as he states, then he should be upset and willing to confront those in his denomination who were involved. No, I didn’t know that Christian theologians and pastors in this denomination were “free to participate” in activities that are clearly heretical to the Bible! If the Bible is truly “God’s word to us,” then we need to defend it unashamedly (Romans 1:16). Sadly, many Christian scholars are more concerned with receiving praise from man rather than praise from God.

Please partner in praying with me for this Christian leader and others who—by compromising—are leading many, many people away from the authority and truthfulness of God’s Word.