English Standard Version Profits National Council of Churches

By Dwayna Litz

© LTW Worldwide December 2006

Despite provocative endorsements for the ESV Bible translation from highly respected teachers such as R.C. Sproul, John Piper, Max Lucado, Ravi Zacharias, Jerry Bridges, Al Mohler, and Eric Alex ander, I must stop and ask what God thinks of a “politically correct” traditionalist Bible translation indirectly disseminating liberal teachings against the Bible, by financially availing the NCC! The truth marches on as the anti-biblical agenda of the National Council of Churches inroads every ESV Bible sold.

I pause to think about how God must feel when He sees all that is happening within the church in areas of leadership with the Holy Spirit being maligned in chicanery and hypocrisy, as we proudly announce a “new Bible”, all the while covertly sharing in publishing revenue with the National Council of Churches advancing another spirit and another gospel. The battle we fight is not against flesh and blood. How can we justify publishing a Bible inspired by the Holy Spirit, which hurts the Holy Spirit at the same time by advancing an opposing gospel with every Bible sold?

Opposite the Table of Contents in the ESV the copyright information reads: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA.

Though it is hard to believe, the English Standard Version of the Holy Bible is a financial accomplice to the NCC, an organization that spends most of its time proliferating teachings against the Bible. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

The situation humorously begs the question: why can’t we adapt an accurate translation from the original Hebrew and Greek manuscripts and let that be enough? We are at the point already where we must interrupt a conversation when the Bible is mentioned among Christian s to stop and ask, “Which one? Which Bible?” How many more “messages” from authors like Eugene Pete rson will we have to contend against for the sake of the Gospel? Consider this valid observation from Mimi Haddad, president of Christian s for Biblical Equality:

It is confusing that TNIV critics accuse the National Council of Churches (NCC) of initiating the anti-patriarchal trend in Bible translation, which they believe led to the gender accurate TNIV. They then suggest that we purchase the English Standard Version (ESV) rather than the TNIV. Yet, the ESV is supported by the National Council of Churches! Every ESV sold garners income for the NCC. [source: Mimi Haddad, E-Quality, “A CBE Response to the October TNIV Radio Shows.” http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/E-Journal/2005/05fall/05fallhaddad.html].

I have published much documentation defending the Bible against the teachings of Christian s for Biblical Equality, an "evangelical" feminist group teaching to call God "mother." However, this is a valid point about the ESV that Mimi Haddad makes. I must credit her with an astute observation concerning this disconcerting amity between the ESV and the NCC. I purchased an ESV, because a former pastor of mine had a big sign endorsing it in the church parlor. I was shocked when I read the copyright information!

The English Standard Version is being promoted as a conservative "rival" to the "feminist" TNIV gender inclusive version in this "Bible war." However, the ESV is not the answer! God's Word is the answer. I am going to stay close to the Word of God--the one that opposes Satan, instead of profiting him (or “her”)! [Caveat: Satan can take on both masculine and feminine; hear the sermon “Exorcism” by Walter Martin at www.waltermartin.com].

[For documentation on the teachings of Christian s for Biblical Equality go to www.ltwinternational.org to the “Articles” page and read the article CBE’s Mother-god. For documentation on the National Council of Churches, read the article posted on the “Articles” page of www.lightingthewayworldwide.org entitled Quoting Walter Martin on Feminism, Inclusive Language, and the NCC. These articles have also been posted at www.christianworldviewnetwork.com].

With love for the old-fashioned "patriarchal" Bible with the eternal power to save from the "Ancient of Days",

Dwayna Litz
www.lightingthewayworldwide.org