excerpts from the American Version bible

There is a newly released edition of the bible, called the American Version. It incorporates current views of American society and American Christians into the bible.

Here are a couple of excerpts.


(beginning of Mark 3):

"Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, 'Stand up in front of everyone.'

Then Jesus asked them, 'Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?' But they remained silent.

He looked around at them warmly with a positive smile on his face and, patient and compassionate toward their stubborn hearts, said to the man, 'There is a world renowned hand surgeon in Jersualem. He comes highly recommended. Look him up. Following your surgery, there is an equally renowned prosthetician in Jericho and physical therapist in Samaria. They are as renowned as the first surgeon. Look them both up. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.'

The man went and did as Jesus had suggested. The surgery went well, there were no major complications (thanks to the prayers and concern of others), the man's insurance covered the cost of the prosthetic except for a nominal copay, and the work with the physical therapist went well.

Within two years the man had recovered about 98% of his original use of the hand. He was able to once again be a successful and contributing member to society. Everyone at his church swooned and swooned about the three doctors who had helped this man.

Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus."


(end of Matthew 8)

"28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 'What do you want with us, Son of God?' they shouted.

Jesus was taken aback by their vulgarity and violence. He gave them a disconcerting look, and did his best to avoid them. Later, among friends, he talked about these disgusting men, and everyone their shook their heads in disbelief and scorn about these troublemakers.

Jesus went by that way again and the two men were again violent. Jesus knew he was called to take a stand for righteousness, so he contacted the police, who arrested the men.

Both men were diagnosed with mental disorders. One of them was diagnosed with emotional dysregulation, a common symptom of borderline personality disorder. The other was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Both men were treated with IM injections and received dialectical-behavioral therapy."

Now, we know this is not how either of these stories go, yet are these accounts of these stories not as society and the Church at large view them?

Are we nothing but mere lemmings?

Are we nothing but moronic regurgitators who mindlessly approach, view and live as the world does?

It's hard for me to stomach that Jesus was beaten to a bloody pulp so we could live meek, powerless lives dominated by the perceptions of those who snub their nose at Him.