Oswald Chambers and Gender Inclusive Bible Translations
Posted: 04/12/2006
Oswald Chambers and Gender Inclusive Bible Translations
By Dwayna Litz
To the Christian, feminist, egalitarian women who are offended by "old fashioned" Bible translations such as the KJV, NAS, and NIV, as well as the notion of a paternal, patriarchal Father God; to the women who feel that Christians need a gender inclusive translation to better suit our 21st century (pagan) culture:
Why do Christians feel the need to make the Bible more "appealing" in this postmodern era of "enlightenment" to better suit a sinner and appeal to a depraved society? It is indicative of a spirit at work in the church that is contrary to the Spirit of God--a proud, haughty spirit from women who want control, power, recognition--where humility is left wanting. The Truth which we have heard from the beginning is still powerful enough to save! (1 John 1:1-3). What a sad day when the Bible is re-translated to not offend the debased, rebellious, Gnostic mindset, prevalent in popular thinking.
Consider this politically incorrect quote from Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) in such an androgynous culture as ours has become...
Adam was created immediately by the hand of God; Eve was created mediately. Eve stands for the soul side, the psychic side, of the human creation; all her sympathies and affinities were with the other creations of God around. Adam stands for the spirit side, the kingly, Godward side. Adam and Eve together are the likeness of God, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image,'...male and female, He created them." (Genesis 1:26-27). The revelation made here is not that woman stands as inferior to man, but that she stands in quite a different relation to all things, and both man and woman are required for the complete creation of God referred to by the general term "Man" [quotations mine]. "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived fell into transgression." (1 Tim. 2:14)...the Bible says that Eve was deceived. It does not say that Adam was deceived; consequently, Adam is far more responsible than Eve, because he sinned deliberately...so the Bible associates sin with Adam ("Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world..."Rom. 5:12) and "transgression" with Eve ("And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived fell into transgression" 1 Tim 2:4). --Biblical Psychology, p.24, 25 (Discovery House Publishers)
So, it is clear here, that Oswald would have not made a very good egalitarian proponent of the TNIV in the disconcerting "gender inclusive" debate over verses pertaining to the covenant! I'm not the least bit offended by my favorite translation which is the NAS--it is fine to refer to both sexes as "man". The more I study this movement, the more passionate I am becoming about it, especially in verses such as 1 Cor. 15:21 which pertain to the covenant of God with "man"!
I hope we don't start calling the founding fathers of our country "founding people". This whole movement is not only very silly to me, but it is grievous and disconcerting—the emphasis is on making women feel good and preventing women from being hurt; does anyone care about how Jesus feels? If so, why is the focus not on God as opposed to man? I see the same spirit at work in the Christian feminist movement as the pagan feminist movement, i.e., the "spirit of Sophia" and the "spirit of the goddess"; the Christian women may be different morally in such arenas as abortion, but the spirit is not humble and gentle. No wonder these women think Proverbs 31 is out of date and antiquated for today's living.
As Dr. Peter Jones writes in his book, Spirit Wars, there are many well meaning Christians who are being duped by this spirit at work in the Christian feminist movement of the day. (www.cwipp.org).
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Re: Oswald Chambers and Gender Inclusive Bible Translations
Posted On: 04/19/06 07:23:30 AM
Age 45, IL
To me the real shame of this whole feminist thing (and I am a female) is that we do not see the nobility of being Woman! I am sure God is grieved to see His Word being soiled, and for petty reasons. I imagine He is also deeply grieved to see so many women so disappointed with the role He has given them in the world. It is a beautiful, fulfilling, deeply responsible role! If we do not see that, perhaps we need to be taught---starting with the current generation of girls and young women. Who will teach????? Click here to reply to this post
Re: Oswald Chambers and Gender Inclusive Bible Translations
Posted On: 04/17/06 09:06:37 PM
Age 34, IN
While I agree that too much of paganism is finding it's way into Christianity, I do have a question. I spoke to a representative from the TNIV and asked him why they made these revisions. He stated that much of American English is gender specific and we don't have many words that are gender neutral.
Greek like other romance languages (Spanish, French) have a masculine, a feminine and a neuter form for many of their words.
The TNIV I was told was being true to the original Greek. If it was masculine it was left masculine. If it was feminine it was left feminine and if it was neuter they translated it in the neuter. To me this seems to be more scripturally accurate than the earlier translations. What are your thoughts?
In Christ's grip,
RJ Click here to reply to this post
Re: Oswald Chambers and Gender Inclusive Bible Translations
Posted On: 04/13/06 06:33:04 PM
Age 38, WA
Thank You! I wish more women would express themselves as well as you have. What right do we have to worry about a simple word when we have work to do. If women are so worried about an inclusive word such as "men" or "man" then I fear they have too much time on their hands, such as I do for even having the time to respond! lol I think christian women need to remember the God ordained order of the world, chuch and family. It doesn't make less of women or say we are inferior, rather it lifts us up in regard, provision, protection and love. Look at the world and their regard for women, God's ordinaces are what have given us this place in which to complain, how petty. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Oswald Chambers and Gender Inclusive Bible Translations
Posted On: 04/13/06 07:21:58 AM
Age 58, T
Whew. You gave me quite a start. As quite a fan of O. Chambers, I feared you found something to dispute in his interpretations. Finding your confirmation of his wisdom is a relief.
Of course, faith is in God, not in man. So even if Mr. Chambers wandered, he would remain a valuable source of insite, but not the source of wisdom and truth. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Oswald Chambers and Gender Inclusive Bible Translations
Posted On: 04/13/06 05:19:13 AM
Age 71, FL
A million Amens to this article! I read this poem now and then to get back on track:
The rights of women! What are they? The right to labor, love and pray;
The right to weep with those who weep, the right to wake when others sleep.
The right to dry the falling tear, the right to quell the rising fear,
The right to smooth the brow of care, and whisper comfort in despair.
The right to watch the parting breath, to soothe and cheer the bed of death;
The right when earthly hopes all fail, to point to that within the vail.
The right the wandered to reclaim, and win the lost from paths of shame;
The right to comfort and to bless the widows and the fatherless.
The right the intellect to train and guide the soul to noble aim.
Teach it to rise above earth's toys, and wing its flight for heavenly joys.
The right to live for those we love, the right to die that love to prove;
The right to brighten earthly homes with pleasant smiles and gentle tones.
Are these thy rights?
Then use them well, thy silent influence none can tell;
If these are thine, why ask for more?
Thou hast enough to answer for.
Are these thy rights?
Then, murmur not that woman's mission is thy lot!
Reverend M. Lowry Click here to reply to this post
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