Undeniable Proof the ESV, NIV, NASB, Holman Standard, NET etc. are the new "Vatican Versions"
Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth..is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird...and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication...Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins Revelation 17:2-5; 18:2-4
I have a copy of the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece 27th edition right here in front of me. It is the same Greek text as the UBS (United Bible Society) 4th edition. These are the Greek readings and texts that are followed by such modern versions as the ESV, NIV, NASB, Holman Standard AND the new Catholic versions like the St. Joseph New American Bible 1970 and the New Jerusalem bible 1985.
If you have a copy of the Nestle-Aland 27th edition, open the book and read what they tell us in their own words on page 45 of the Introduction. Here these critical Greek text editors tell us about how the Greek New Testament (GNT, now known as the UBS) and the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece grew together and shared the same basic text.In the last paragraph on page 45 we read these words:
"The text shared by these two editions was adopted internationally by Bible Societies, and FOLLOWING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VATICAN AND THE UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES IT HAS SERVED AS THE BASIS FOR NEW TRANSLATIONS AND FOR REVISIONS MADE UNDER THEIR SUPERVISION. THIS MARKS A SIGNIFICANT STEP WITH REGARD TO INTERCONFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. It should naturally be understood that this text is a working text: it is not to be considered as definitive, but as a stimulus to further efforts toward defining and verifying the text of the New Testament."
There it is folks, in their own words. They openly admit that this text is the result of an agreement between the Vatican and the UBS and that the text itself is not "definitive" - it can change, as it already has and will do so in the future, and is not the infallible words of God but merely "a stimulus to further efforts".
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
This from their own site -
THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY
Collaboration for the Diffusion of the Bible
Following the responsibility undertaken by the then Secretariat for the preparation of the dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, the PCPCU was entrusted with promoting ecumenical collaboration for the translation and diffusion of Holy Scripture (Dei Verbum, n. 22). In this context, it encouraged the formation of the Catholic Biblical Federation, with which it is in close contact. TOGETHER WITH THE UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES IT PUBLISHED THE GUIDELINES FOR INTERCONFESSIONAL COOPERATION IN TRANSLATING THE BIBLE. (1968; new revised edition 1987).
The United Bible Societies Vice-President is Roman Catholic Cardinal Onitsha of Nigeria. On the executive committee is Roman Catholic Bishop Alilona of Italy and among the editors is Roman Catholic Cardinal Martini of Milan. Patrick Henry happily claims, "Catholics should work together with Protestants in the fundamental task of Biblical translation [They can] work very well together and have the same approach and interpretation ... This signals a new age in the church." - Patrick Henry, New Directions in New Testament Study (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1979), 232-234.
Here is the United Bible Societies own website where they announced in March of 2013 the news of the new Pope Francis' longtime support of the UBS.
United Bible Societies welcomes Pope Francis | United Bible Societies
United Bible Societies welcomes Pope Francis
MARCH 15, 2013 - The election of Pope Francis, a long-time friend of the Bible Societies, is an encouragement to United Bible Societies (UBS) to work even harder to make the Bible available to everyone.
On October 11th of 1962, the first session of the Vatican Council II meet in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Over the next few years, they plotted out the future of the Roman Catholic Church.
On November 18th, 1965, the "Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation" was written. In chapter 6, on page 112, we read:
"But since the word of God must be readily available at all times, the church, with motherly concern, sees to it that suitable and correct translations are made into various languages, especially from the orginal texts of the sacred books. If, when the opportunity presents itself and the authority of the church agree, these translations are made jointly with churches separated from us, they can then be used by all Christians."
This is all the plan and design of the Jesuits to destroy the doctrine of "Sola Scriptura" and to bring the whole world back under the control of the Pope! For many direct quotes from Occultists, Spiritualists and Satanists who openly and harshly criticized the King James Bible and who promoted the Revised Version put out by Westcott and Hort to undermine and destroy faith in the King James Bible as the infallible words of God in the English language, see this site here. You will be amazed.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/bria...?comment_id=6422380&offset=0&total_comments=9
The ESV - In the Preface of the ESV 2001 on page ix under the title Textual Basis it says: The ESV is based...on the Greek text in the 1993 editions of the Greek New Testament (4th corrected edition), published by the United Bible Societies (UBS) and Novum Testamentum Graece (27th edition), edited by Nestle and Aland."
The NIV - Likewise in the Preface of the NIV 2011 edition in the Preface on page vi it says: "The Greek text used in translating the New Testament is an eclectic one, based on the latest editions of the Nestle-Aland/United Bible Societies' Greek New Testament."
The NASB - And the NASB 1995 edition says in its Preface on page iv: "Greek Text: Consideration was given to the latest available manuscripts with a view to determining the best Greek text. In most instances the 26th edition of the Eberhard Nestle's Novum Testamentum Graece was followed."
The Holman Christian Standard Version 2003 Introductory page tells us: "The textual base for the HCSB New Testament is the NESTLE-ALAND NOVUM TESTAMENTUM GRAECE 27th edition, and the United Bible Society N.T. 4th edition."
The Catholic St. Joseph New American Bible 1970 Preface page 44: "The text used by the translators of the New Testament. In general, Nestle-Aland's Novum Testamentum Graece (25th edition, 1963) was followed. Additional help was derived from the Greek New Testament (editors Aland, Black, Metzger, Widgren), produced for the use of translators by the United Bible Societies in 1966."
In addition to this, the opening of the Preface of the St. Joseph NAB says: "The translators have carried out the directive of our predecesor, Pius XII, in his famous Encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu, and the decree of the Second Vatican Council (Dei Verbum), which prescribed that "up-to-date and appropriate translations be made in the various languages, by preference from original texts of the sacred books:, and that "with the approval of Church authority, these translations may be produced in cooperation with our separated brethren" so that "all Christians may be able to use them."
The Battle for the Bible is a spiritual battle. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but agains spiritual wickedness in high places. It did not begin with the Catholic counter Reformation, but the harlot of Babylon is "the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit" (Revelation 18:2). The real battle began in the garden of Eden with the serpent's first question - "Yea, hath God said...?". Westcott and Hort, who hated what they called "that vile Textus Receptus", were themselves enamored with the Roman Catholic church. This is clearly seen in their own writings.
Some of Brooke Foss Westcott's beliefs in his own words:
On Infallibility of Scripture: "For I too 'must disclaim settling for infallibility.' In the front of my convictions all I hold is the more I learn, the more I am convinced that fresh doubts come from my own ignorance, and that at present I find the presumption in favor of the absolute truth -- I reject the word infallibility -- of Holy Scripture overwhelming." (Letter to F.J.A. Hort, May 5, 1860) (Vol. I, p. 207)
On Roman Catholicism: "... almost all Anglican statements are a mixture in various proportions of the true and the Romish view ... the pure Romish view seems to me nearer, and more likely to lead to, the truth than the Evangelical." (Letter to Mr. John Ellerton, July 6, 1848) (Vol. I, p. 76)
On Evolution
Quote #1: "Have you read Darwin? How I should like to talk with you about it! In spite of difficulties, I am inclined to think it unanswerable. In any case, it is a treat to read such a book." (Life and Letters of Hort, Vol. I, pg. 414).
Quote #2: "But the book which has most engaged me is Darwin. Whatever may be thought of it, it is a book that one is proud to be contemporary with. I must work out and examine the argument more in detail, but at present my feeling is strong that the theory is unanswerable." (Life and Letters of Hort, Vol. I, pg. 416).
Quote #3: "No one now, I suppose, holds that the first three chapters of Genesis, for example, give a literal history - I could never understand how anyone reading them with open eyes could think they did" (Life and Letters of Hort, Vol. II, pg. 69).
Bible critics (none of whom believes that any Bible in any language IS the complete, inspired and 100% historically true words of God) often attack King James Bible believers for using a Bible with "Roman Catholic" roots. For example Doug Kutilek's article Is the King James Version a Roman Catholic Bible?
Recently I was at a Christian Forum on Facebook and I got more than a couple of remarks like: Well, we can thank the Catholic church for the King James Bible or you wouldn't have the KJV without the RCC. They sponsored Erasmus (RC scholar) who rushed the manuscripts which are the basis for the the KJV.
Their argument goes something like this: the Textus Receptus Greek text was edited by Erasmus, the King James New Testament was based upon the Textus Receptus. Erasmus was a loyal Roman Catholic so the King James Bible has strong Catholic roots.
The Vatican Versionists today - ESV, NIV, NASB, NET, Holman etc. cannot deny the fact that the Vatican is directly involved in creating the "interconfessional" text that underlies all their ever changing versions. Why? Because their own Critical Greek text tells them that this is the case. So, in an effort to bring us to the conclusion that "The KJB is just as Catholic as our new versions", they always drag out this Erasmus thingy and hope to lead us down this erroneous rabbit trail.
They ignore the fact that Erasmus never was a practicing Catholic priest; he often criticized many doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church; he died in the presence of his Protestant friends; his books were eventually placed on the forbidden to read list by the RCC and most importantly, no Catholic bible version ever used the Greek text of Erasmus to make up their translations, but ALL Reformation bibles did use Erasmus, Stephanus and Beza as their textual basis.
The King James Bible translators did not even primarily use Erasmus but relied far more on the Greek texts of Stephanus and Beza.
The modern Vatican Version users (ESV, NIV, NASB etc.) use this flimsy and ultimately meaningless Erasmus-Catholic connection as an excuse to justify their use and promotion of their ever changing bogus bibles that not even they believe are the complete and infallible words of God.
As usual, the KJB critics argument is misinformed, deeply biased and misapplied. Learn more about the man Erasmus and his theology here:
What About Erasmus?
Please read the entire article, but briefly some of relevant points that should be noted are: Erasmus published his printed Greek text in 1516. This was prior to the beginning of the Reformation in 1517 when Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the church in Wittenburg, Germany. There WAS no Reformation or any official Protestants at this time. Aside from a few persecuted minorities like the Waldenses in the remote Alps, the Catholic church was the only game in town. Even Wycliffe and Tyndale were nominal Catholics. He dedicated his Greek text to the Pope, but this was most likely a political move to get his Greek text accepted and it ultimately did not do him any good at all.
It was soon said by the Catholics that Erasmus laid the egg and Luther hatched the chickens. His books and writings were soon banned by the Pope himself. Erasmus examined hundreds of Greek manuscripts from all over Europe. He was familiar with virtually every variant reading we know of today. He was NOT limited in his knowledge of Greek readings by the alleged ten manuscripts he used to put together the New Testament Greek text. His Greek text, along with the minor revisions of Stephanus and Beza became the basis for the New Testament texts of all Reformation Bibles. The King James Bible translators worked primarily with Beza's fifth edition of the Greek Traditional text of 1598.
Luther was a Reformer from outside the Catholic church, while Erasmus believed he could reform it from the inside. Erasmus himself wrote against many of the abuses and excesses of the Catholic church and the celibacy of the priests. He rejected the typical Roman Catholic interpretation of Matthew 16:18 establishing the papal primacy and he began to teach baptism by immersion AFTER conversion. There is no record of him ever officiating as a Catholic priest and he died in Switzerland in 1536 surrounded by his Protestant friends.
What is called the Textus Receptus was NOT the basis for the Catholic Bibles, but rather for the Reformation Bibles like Luthers German Bible, the French Olivetan, the Italian Diodati, the Portuguese Almeida, the Spanish Reina Valera, the English Geneva Bible and of course the King James Holy Bible.
The Catholic church never did approve of the Textus Receptus. In fact, the Council of Trent (1545-1564) branded Erasmus a heretic and prohibited his works. In 1559, Pope Paul IV placed Erasmus on the first class of forbidden authors, which was composed of authors whose works were completely condemned.
Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth..is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird...and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication...Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins Revelation 17:2-5; 18:2-4
I have a copy of the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece 27th edition right here in front of me. It is the same Greek text as the UBS (United Bible Society) 4th edition. These are the Greek readings and texts that are followed by such modern versions as the ESV, NIV, NASB, Holman Standard AND the new Catholic versions like the St. Joseph New American Bible 1970 and the New Jerusalem bible 1985.
If you have a copy of the Nestle-Aland 27th edition, open the book and read what they tell us in their own words on page 45 of the Introduction. Here these critical Greek text editors tell us about how the Greek New Testament (GNT, now known as the UBS) and the Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece grew together and shared the same basic text.In the last paragraph on page 45 we read these words:
"The text shared by these two editions was adopted internationally by Bible Societies, and FOLLOWING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE VATICAN AND THE UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES IT HAS SERVED AS THE BASIS FOR NEW TRANSLATIONS AND FOR REVISIONS MADE UNDER THEIR SUPERVISION. THIS MARKS A SIGNIFICANT STEP WITH REGARD TO INTERCONFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. It should naturally be understood that this text is a working text: it is not to be considered as definitive, but as a stimulus to further efforts toward defining and verifying the text of the New Testament."
There it is folks, in their own words. They openly admit that this text is the result of an agreement between the Vatican and the UBS and that the text itself is not "definitive" - it can change, as it already has and will do so in the future, and is not the infallible words of God but merely "a stimulus to further efforts".
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
This from their own site -
THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY
Collaboration for the Diffusion of the Bible
Following the responsibility undertaken by the then Secretariat for the preparation of the dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, the PCPCU was entrusted with promoting ecumenical collaboration for the translation and diffusion of Holy Scripture (Dei Verbum, n. 22). In this context, it encouraged the formation of the Catholic Biblical Federation, with which it is in close contact. TOGETHER WITH THE UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES IT PUBLISHED THE GUIDELINES FOR INTERCONFESSIONAL COOPERATION IN TRANSLATING THE BIBLE. (1968; new revised edition 1987).
The United Bible Societies Vice-President is Roman Catholic Cardinal Onitsha of Nigeria. On the executive committee is Roman Catholic Bishop Alilona of Italy and among the editors is Roman Catholic Cardinal Martini of Milan. Patrick Henry happily claims, "Catholics should work together with Protestants in the fundamental task of Biblical translation [They can] work very well together and have the same approach and interpretation ... This signals a new age in the church." - Patrick Henry, New Directions in New Testament Study (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1979), 232-234.
Here is the United Bible Societies own website where they announced in March of 2013 the news of the new Pope Francis' longtime support of the UBS.
United Bible Societies welcomes Pope Francis | United Bible Societies
United Bible Societies welcomes Pope Francis
MARCH 15, 2013 - The election of Pope Francis, a long-time friend of the Bible Societies, is an encouragement to United Bible Societies (UBS) to work even harder to make the Bible available to everyone.
On October 11th of 1962, the first session of the Vatican Council II meet in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Over the next few years, they plotted out the future of the Roman Catholic Church.
On November 18th, 1965, the "Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation" was written. In chapter 6, on page 112, we read:
"But since the word of God must be readily available at all times, the church, with motherly concern, sees to it that suitable and correct translations are made into various languages, especially from the orginal texts of the sacred books. If, when the opportunity presents itself and the authority of the church agree, these translations are made jointly with churches separated from us, they can then be used by all Christians."
This is all the plan and design of the Jesuits to destroy the doctrine of "Sola Scriptura" and to bring the whole world back under the control of the Pope! For many direct quotes from Occultists, Spiritualists and Satanists who openly and harshly criticized the King James Bible and who promoted the Revised Version put out by Westcott and Hort to undermine and destroy faith in the King James Bible as the infallible words of God in the English language, see this site here. You will be amazed.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/bria...?comment_id=6422380&offset=0&total_comments=9
The ESV - In the Preface of the ESV 2001 on page ix under the title Textual Basis it says: The ESV is based...on the Greek text in the 1993 editions of the Greek New Testament (4th corrected edition), published by the United Bible Societies (UBS) and Novum Testamentum Graece (27th edition), edited by Nestle and Aland."
The NIV - Likewise in the Preface of the NIV 2011 edition in the Preface on page vi it says: "The Greek text used in translating the New Testament is an eclectic one, based on the latest editions of the Nestle-Aland/United Bible Societies' Greek New Testament."
The NASB - And the NASB 1995 edition says in its Preface on page iv: "Greek Text: Consideration was given to the latest available manuscripts with a view to determining the best Greek text. In most instances the 26th edition of the Eberhard Nestle's Novum Testamentum Graece was followed."
The Holman Christian Standard Version 2003 Introductory page tells us: "The textual base for the HCSB New Testament is the NESTLE-ALAND NOVUM TESTAMENTUM GRAECE 27th edition, and the United Bible Society N.T. 4th edition."
The Catholic St. Joseph New American Bible 1970 Preface page 44: "The text used by the translators of the New Testament. In general, Nestle-Aland's Novum Testamentum Graece (25th edition, 1963) was followed. Additional help was derived from the Greek New Testament (editors Aland, Black, Metzger, Widgren), produced for the use of translators by the United Bible Societies in 1966."
In addition to this, the opening of the Preface of the St. Joseph NAB says: "The translators have carried out the directive of our predecesor, Pius XII, in his famous Encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu, and the decree of the Second Vatican Council (Dei Verbum), which prescribed that "up-to-date and appropriate translations be made in the various languages, by preference from original texts of the sacred books:, and that "with the approval of Church authority, these translations may be produced in cooperation with our separated brethren" so that "all Christians may be able to use them."
The Battle for the Bible is a spiritual battle. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but agains spiritual wickedness in high places. It did not begin with the Catholic counter Reformation, but the harlot of Babylon is "the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit" (Revelation 18:2). The real battle began in the garden of Eden with the serpent's first question - "Yea, hath God said...?". Westcott and Hort, who hated what they called "that vile Textus Receptus", were themselves enamored with the Roman Catholic church. This is clearly seen in their own writings.
Some of Brooke Foss Westcott's beliefs in his own words:
On Infallibility of Scripture: "For I too 'must disclaim settling for infallibility.' In the front of my convictions all I hold is the more I learn, the more I am convinced that fresh doubts come from my own ignorance, and that at present I find the presumption in favor of the absolute truth -- I reject the word infallibility -- of Holy Scripture overwhelming." (Letter to F.J.A. Hort, May 5, 1860) (Vol. I, p. 207)
On Roman Catholicism: "... almost all Anglican statements are a mixture in various proportions of the true and the Romish view ... the pure Romish view seems to me nearer, and more likely to lead to, the truth than the Evangelical." (Letter to Mr. John Ellerton, July 6, 1848) (Vol. I, p. 76)
On Evolution
Quote #1: "Have you read Darwin? How I should like to talk with you about it! In spite of difficulties, I am inclined to think it unanswerable. In any case, it is a treat to read such a book." (Life and Letters of Hort, Vol. I, pg. 414).
Quote #2: "But the book which has most engaged me is Darwin. Whatever may be thought of it, it is a book that one is proud to be contemporary with. I must work out and examine the argument more in detail, but at present my feeling is strong that the theory is unanswerable." (Life and Letters of Hort, Vol. I, pg. 416).
Quote #3: "No one now, I suppose, holds that the first three chapters of Genesis, for example, give a literal history - I could never understand how anyone reading them with open eyes could think they did" (Life and Letters of Hort, Vol. II, pg. 69).
Bible critics (none of whom believes that any Bible in any language IS the complete, inspired and 100% historically true words of God) often attack King James Bible believers for using a Bible with "Roman Catholic" roots. For example Doug Kutilek's article Is the King James Version a Roman Catholic Bible?
Recently I was at a Christian Forum on Facebook and I got more than a couple of remarks like: Well, we can thank the Catholic church for the King James Bible or you wouldn't have the KJV without the RCC. They sponsored Erasmus (RC scholar) who rushed the manuscripts which are the basis for the the KJV.
Their argument goes something like this: the Textus Receptus Greek text was edited by Erasmus, the King James New Testament was based upon the Textus Receptus. Erasmus was a loyal Roman Catholic so the King James Bible has strong Catholic roots.
The Vatican Versionists today - ESV, NIV, NASB, NET, Holman etc. cannot deny the fact that the Vatican is directly involved in creating the "interconfessional" text that underlies all their ever changing versions. Why? Because their own Critical Greek text tells them that this is the case. So, in an effort to bring us to the conclusion that "The KJB is just as Catholic as our new versions", they always drag out this Erasmus thingy and hope to lead us down this erroneous rabbit trail.
They ignore the fact that Erasmus never was a practicing Catholic priest; he often criticized many doctrines and practices of the Roman Catholic Church; he died in the presence of his Protestant friends; his books were eventually placed on the forbidden to read list by the RCC and most importantly, no Catholic bible version ever used the Greek text of Erasmus to make up their translations, but ALL Reformation bibles did use Erasmus, Stephanus and Beza as their textual basis.
The King James Bible translators did not even primarily use Erasmus but relied far more on the Greek texts of Stephanus and Beza.
The modern Vatican Version users (ESV, NIV, NASB etc.) use this flimsy and ultimately meaningless Erasmus-Catholic connection as an excuse to justify their use and promotion of their ever changing bogus bibles that not even they believe are the complete and infallible words of God.
As usual, the KJB critics argument is misinformed, deeply biased and misapplied. Learn more about the man Erasmus and his theology here:
What About Erasmus?
Please read the entire article, but briefly some of relevant points that should be noted are: Erasmus published his printed Greek text in 1516. This was prior to the beginning of the Reformation in 1517 when Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the church in Wittenburg, Germany. There WAS no Reformation or any official Protestants at this time. Aside from a few persecuted minorities like the Waldenses in the remote Alps, the Catholic church was the only game in town. Even Wycliffe and Tyndale were nominal Catholics. He dedicated his Greek text to the Pope, but this was most likely a political move to get his Greek text accepted and it ultimately did not do him any good at all.
It was soon said by the Catholics that Erasmus laid the egg and Luther hatched the chickens. His books and writings were soon banned by the Pope himself. Erasmus examined hundreds of Greek manuscripts from all over Europe. He was familiar with virtually every variant reading we know of today. He was NOT limited in his knowledge of Greek readings by the alleged ten manuscripts he used to put together the New Testament Greek text. His Greek text, along with the minor revisions of Stephanus and Beza became the basis for the New Testament texts of all Reformation Bibles. The King James Bible translators worked primarily with Beza's fifth edition of the Greek Traditional text of 1598.
Luther was a Reformer from outside the Catholic church, while Erasmus believed he could reform it from the inside. Erasmus himself wrote against many of the abuses and excesses of the Catholic church and the celibacy of the priests. He rejected the typical Roman Catholic interpretation of Matthew 16:18 establishing the papal primacy and he began to teach baptism by immersion AFTER conversion. There is no record of him ever officiating as a Catholic priest and he died in Switzerland in 1536 surrounded by his Protestant friends.
What is called the Textus Receptus was NOT the basis for the Catholic Bibles, but rather for the Reformation Bibles like Luthers German Bible, the French Olivetan, the Italian Diodati, the Portuguese Almeida, the Spanish Reina Valera, the English Geneva Bible and of course the King James Holy Bible.
The Catholic church never did approve of the Textus Receptus. In fact, the Council of Trent (1545-1564) branded Erasmus a heretic and prohibited his works. In 1559, Pope Paul IV placed Erasmus on the first class of forbidden authors, which was composed of authors whose works were completely condemned.
