By Jack Weaver ( thanks to good friend Shelle Davis for the tip)
Please beware — if you have been sold on the idea that you want a Bible for your kids — or yourself that is “easier to read,” BE VERY CAREFUL. Thomas Nelson Publishers has gone down into the depths, publishing a new “Bible” called The Voice which, from the following report, decimates portions of God’s Word by omitting the words, “Jesus Christ.”
Excerpts from Christian Post Article:
A new translation of the Bible into English does not contain the name “Jesus Christ” nor the word “angel.” It also prefers the word “emissary” over “apostle.”
The Voice, a Bible (sic) that replaces “Jesus Christ” with terms like “Jesus the Anointed One,” had its complete edition released by Thomas Nelson Publishing last month.
Frank Couch, Thomas Nelson’s lead editor on the project, told The Christian Post that the purpose of The Voice was to make the Gospel message easier to understand for modern audiences.
“The Voice has not claimed to be more accurate than any other translation, rather it is more easily understood than any other translation,” said Couch.
“When translators are limiting themselves to conveying the complete essence of a word from the Hebrew or the Greek with one English word they have difficulty bringing in the nuances held in the original language.”
Because other translations have more literal renderings, Couch believed they are “why it has been necessary for commentators and preachers to spend so much time explaining what the words in the original language mean before the lay reader can understand fully a text of Scripture.”
So now we are to trust Nelson Publishers to interpret God’s Word for us?? I think not. There are already too many perversions of God’s Word on the market now.
Just beware. God’s Word tells us:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
How could anyone (except one who knows not the Bible) publish and market a “Bible” that eliminates the Name of Jesus Christ. We are to rightly divide [correctly dissect] the Word of Truth, not delve into a poor paraphrase of what some book salesman thinks is “easier to read.”
Notes From A Retired Preacher 
Becky,
Thanks for visiting and commenting. We welcome your thoughts.
You point out a fair observation from Pink, but we could never recommend him because of his adamant Calvinism which is contrary to Scripture..
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
A.W. Pink, in his Exposition of the Gospel of John, makes some good distinctions between the Word and the voice, i.e. John the Baptist. The word exists in the mind before the voice; the voice is simply a vehicle by which the word is made known; the voice is heard but not seen; the voice is stilled by death, but the word is eternal. “The voice of one crying in the wilderness” (Isaiah 40:3) was referring to John the Baptist, not Jesus! It is an insult to call Jesus the voice, as He is the eternal Word!
Princess Daffy,
You are right on target — not “daffy” at all.
We appreciate your visit and well articulated comment.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Blessings to all! I just want to point out that Jesus is not “a little voice” He is the King of King and Lord of Lords!
Yes, Pastor Jack, He is SAVIOR! Glory to the King!
KG,
We appreciate your visiting and taking time to comment.
However, your logic — if we answer that “little voice” it could very well be telling us also to do something wrong. We need to base our decisions — not on an obscure voice, but upon God’s unpolluted Word. God’s indwelling Holy Spirit guides every believer through His Word, not a voice.
There are many scripture passages that emphasize the name of Jesus Christ and the importance of that name… not the “voice.”
“Jesus” is Yehowshuwa` in Hebrew and means “Jehovah Saves.” The voice cannot save.
So. please let us not condone changing the Word of God. JESUS is the Savior, not a voice.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
To all you who are CREEPED out that Jesus is called the Voice.
I think it makes sense
Haven’t we all said, when speaking to somebody, about something really heartfelt. That little voice
example
That little voice inside me said do the right thing
Hi Marcee,
Thanks for the reminder to never mess with God’s Word.
A Bible that leaves out Jesus Christ is NOT a Bible! Revelation 22:18-19 is a strong warning: “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” It’s dangerous to rewrite the Word of God!
Thank you for the link Jack. A lot of good information there.
Jon,
Thanks — Good question.
I have written about Peterson’s abomination “The Message” and without much effort the conclusion is that it is at at least as bad if not worse than the Voice.
About the NKJV Bible, I wrote an article “Why I use The King James Bible” and we had a great discussion of several translations which included the NKJV. You can get the “whys” of our opinions there.
http://www.expreacherman.com/2011/10/28/why-i-use-the-king-james-version/
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
This reminds me of the paraphrase The Message by Eugene Peterson. I’ve read some pretty negative things about that one too. What is the consensus here on the NKJV Bible? I recently bought one and am hoping it is considered a solid translation.
Welcome Princess,
Your comment is not “Daffy” at all. You are right on target. The “Voice” is suited for the apostate churches and leaders of today and they will be pushing this book.
We have been exposing the Emergent/Emerging “church” since 2006-2007. You may enter those terms in the search box in the right side-bar and read some of our Emergent articles.
Good to have you with us. No doubt you will find friends here. Please subscribe and come by often.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Well, how timely and perfect for the emergent and contemplatives…CREEPY is right! The “voice” is exactly what these new age followers are seeking, an experiential ‘high’ and in practicing their mysticism they open themselves up to ‘voices’ alright, but it is NOT the voice of God they will be receiving.
Pay attention people, the emergent church is picking up speed and will be appearing soon at a church near you. Know the warning signs and do not give in to the compromise.
Study the TRUE word, and be filled with the Holy Spirit of our most high and sovereign God!
Bruce, Andrea and SavedByGrace,
Thanks for digging deeper into this apostate book they call a “Bible.” I wrote this last night and then went to bed with second thoughts — I wondered if I may have been too harsh or unfair to the book and the authors. But seeing your quotes and comments, the book appears worse than I thought.
Andrea said “Creepy.” True — and how is “creepy” easier to understand except to those who are familiar with or steeped in the teaching of Eastern Mysticism so pervasive in our “religious” organizations today.
There must me more behind the publication of this book than what we see.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
Wow…very creepy to call Jesus “the Voice.” WHY would anyone do that??? Sounds like it was written specifically to promote all that mysticism stuff (I hadn’t heard about mysticism until reading here but have done some research on it now). And, in my opinion, the excerpt Bruce put in his comment above is NOT easier to read than the KJV.
Hi again, SBG,
Great points, and you’re right, it is certainly shaping up to be an interesting year theologically. Grace and peace to you too!
Are these people trying to promote a “singing competition? the Voice”
The English language itself is a far cry from what the original Greek is saying, reusing the English as a medium of translation is not good.
This is gonna an interesting year for us 🙂
– grace and peace
Hello SavedByGrace!
You are so right to point out all of the devastating ramifications of this destructive new version of the Bible. It is really not a translation at all; rather, it is what has been dubbed, “a dynamic equivalent” of the Bible. I also understand that this new “Bible” is not translated from the original languages. Instead, it was compiled by song writers, poets and other non-scholars from English versions to attempt to make the Bible more free flowing, of verbal-sounding style and easy to read.
USA Today reports:
The name Jesus Christ doesn’t appear in The Voice, a new translation of the Bible. Nor do words such as angel or apostle. Instead, angel is rendered as messenger and apostle as emissary. Jesus Christ is Jesus the Anointed One or the liberating king.
Listen to the difference between the King James Bible and “The Voice” on John 1:11-14:
King James Version: John 1:11-14 11 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name; 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld the glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.”
“The Voice”: John 1:11-14 (source: http://www.extremetheology.com; review of The Voice Part One, 2008) 11 “Though the Voice utters only truth, His own people, who have heard the Voice before, rebuff this inner calling and refuse to listen. 12 But those who hear and trust the beckoning of the Divine Voice and embrace Him, they shall be reborn as Children of God; 13 He bestows this birthright not by human power or initiative but by God’s Will. Because we are born of this world, we can only be reborn to God by accepting His call. 14 The Voice that had been an enigma in the heavens chose to become human and live surrounded by His creations. We have seen Him. Undeniable splendor enveloped Him—the one true Son of God—evidenced in the perfect balance of grace and truth.”
As we analyze this brief section, it becomes apparent that “The Voice” version smacks of Eastern Mysticism and denegrates Jesus as the Word of God to, instead, an inner voice or inward calling. I found verse 12, in particular, to be creepy and cultic sounding; these verses certainly don’t sound anything like the Bible verses that I grew up on and love. And, in my opinion, the flowery poetic verbiage really clouds or obfuscates the clear Gospel message intended in the original text.
Wow. It’s like telling someone that somebody died for their sins, and that they should receive the somebody in their heart and that somebody is going to bring them to heaven.
And if they’re gone to heaven, they’re gonna look for that somebody. Then the people in heaven will say, are you one of the Jews during Abraham’s and Moses’ time?
Can you post some verse from “the voice” and some KJV? I really want to see it.
I am assuming that all of the books in the New Testament do not have the word Jesus?
I understand the book of John does not contain the word “repentance” but all 4 synoptic gospels have the word “Jesus.”
This is gonna be an interesting translation. It’s worth the check.
Rebecca,
Welcome, you will find fellowship and friends here.
Your comment is timely, well said and with Scripture — good combination. Thanks.
In Jesus Christ eternally, Jack
“The teaching of your word gives light so even the SIMPLE can understand.” Psalm 119:130
Enough said! It’s not rocket science and we certainly don’t need it watered down any more than some of the modern versions already have. People are just too lazy to do the studying themselves and entirely too trusting of others to accurately interpret for them.