DO THE GIDEONS DISTRIBUTE MODERN VERSIONS

DO THE GIDEONS DISTRIBUTE MODERN VERSIONS?

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July 7, 1997 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, Michigan 48061, fbns@wayoflife.org) - In my book Myths about the King James Bible (first published in 1986), I noted that Gideons International has distributed the Revised Berkeley Version of the English Bible. This version is based generally on the same critical Greek text as that underlying most modern versions. For example, 1 Timothy 3:16, which reads "God was manifest in the flesh" in the King James Version, reads "He was revealed in the flesh" in the Revised Berkeley. The all important word "God" is entirely removed. This key verse is perverted in almost all of the modern versions, because they use a corrupted Greek text.

The New Testament of the Berkeley was copyrighted in 1945 by Gerrit Verkuyl and was assigned to the Zondervan Publishing House in 1958. The Old Testament appeared in 1959. The Revised Edition of the Berkeley was published by Zondervan in 1969.

The edition of the Revised Berkeley Version that I have before me as I write was published by The Gideons International in 1974. The copyright page gives this information: "Produced by agreement with copyright owner by National Bible Press for The Gideons International."

Today I received a letter from a lady who read my statement in Myths about the King James Bible and who wrote to the Gideons headquarters in Nashville and asked why they distribute corrupted modern versions. She told me that she has been a faithful contributor to the Gideons. Following is the reply which she received from W.W. Vardell, Special Services Manager for the Gideons:

"Although many versions seem to be more understandable, they may not be trustworthy. Therefore, the Authorized (King James) Version of the Scriptures continues to be our primary version. However, due to a demand for a Modern English Version for numerous quarters, the International Cabinet of The Gideons International very prayerfully considered several versions to make available as a supplement to the King James. After a thorough investigation, the New King James Version was selected in 1986 since it had been revised by evangelical, fundamental Protestant scholars. It was also determined that this is a very conservative translation, which follows the old King James very closely. However, this Modern English Version is available only upon specific request by the recipient" (Letter from W.W. Vardell, Gideons International, June 11, 1997).

Note that Mr. Vardell claims the only modern English version distributed by the Gideons is the New King James Version. Upon receipt of this letter, the lady wrote to me and asked if I could confirm my statement that the Gideons distribute the Revised Berkeley. This is what I replied to her --

"I do know that the Gideons have distributed the Revised Berkeley version, which follows the same basic critical Greek text underlying most modern versions, including the NIV. There are at least a dozen copies of the Gideons Revised Berkeley at the county jail where we have a church ministry each week. I have a copy in front of me as I write. I have seen the Gideons Berkeley version in many other places as I have traveled the country. Why they would deny this is beyond me" (letter from David Cloud, July 3, 1997).

We are grateful for the multiplied thousands of copies of sound Scriptures which have been distributed by the Gideons organization. God has promised that His Word will not return unto Him void, and we are confident that many wonderful blessings have flowed from this distribution. We do not support the distribution of the modern critical versions, though, because we are convinced they are corrupted, and we have not been hesitant to publicize the fact that the Gideons have been involved in this. If they have stopped distributing the Revised Berkeley, they should acknowledge that they did distribute it at one time but that they no longer support this version. Instead, they are denying that they have distributed modern versions.

See "Follow-up on the Gideons and Modern Bible Versions"