Part 3--Those Pesky Little Pronouns

While I was researching Bibles...I ran across one other thing that concerned me. I have done my own research online and I have seen enough to be concerned. Now, I have no way of checking the quotes I have read or finding out if what I am seeing in articles and on various websites is fact or fiction. But I know enough to be concerned. And that is my whole reason for these posts: I want others to be concerned. Concerned enough to check the versions their children are reading. Concerned enough to pause and really look before they buy.

The item that came to my attention is the issue of gender-neutral Bibles. If you have not heard of this, then you are probably saying, "Huh? Gender what?" They have been called other things such as "inclusive," "gender inclusive," and "unisex language" Bibles.

The marks of these translations is that they have traded pronouns such as HE, HIM, or HIS for more neutral pronouns like THEY, THEM, THEIR or the second person YOU. That way, you see, no one is left out.

A quote from this very old article: "Pressure for unisex language came from women who, in the words of Mr. Walker, "felt left out" by the traditional language." Oh! I see. Women felt left out. Kind of like how you can't say stewardess anymore, but have to say flight attendant instead, right?

It's not just the pronouns, either. MAN, MEN, MANKIND is replaced by PEOPLE, SELF, HUMAN, MORTAL, etc. FATHER is changed to ANCESTOR or PARENTS. Wherever it used to say BROTHERS it now says BROTHERS AND SISTERS. What's the big deal? It's just a little word. It surely doesn't change the meaning of the text, right?

The big deal is that it is rooted in feminist influence. The problem is that I read how America wasn't ready for this new translation so it was printed in Europe instead. And then they found a way to get it printed here in America under the name NIrV (New International Reader's Version)--a children's Bible! And honestly, who sits down and reads their kid's Bible cover to cover? So who is going to notice something like this? Especially when we are so used to having to be gender inclusive in our everyday lives?

By the way, they did get the Bible printed a few years later under the name TNIV (Today's New International Version). I have looked at a copy of this translation, although we don't own one. There are websites which painstakingly list out verses that change meaning due to these "little changes." I don't have to list them here. Just Google it and see for yourself.

And if you understand the effects of feminism--then these types of Bibles are surely cause for concern. When God's intended roles for men and women are so blurred in our everyday lives, do we really need a Bible that helps us blur them even more?

Just my little words of caution.

Next time: The Acronyms Are Making My Head Hurt

Read Part 1 and Part 2 of this series.

Part 2--You Sure Can't Judge By The Cover

If you haven't been to a Bible bookstore lately, then you may not be aware of the blitz of marketing going on in the Bible world. When I was child, I think Bibles were pretty much black. And if you were really fancy, the pages were edged in gold and maybe had those little finger tabs to help you find the books of the Bible easier. Or, maybe you had your name printed on the cover! Ooooh!

Not so anymore. Some of them are just so attractive! This one came with a free bracelet when it first hit the stores. Here is one in camo--just because. I loved this one when I first saw it. Here is a New Testament patterned after a teen magazine. Yes, it's really a New Testament.

It seems that buying a Bible for someone is very difficult these days. I mean, which KIND of Bible? Is it for a boy or a girl? (It matters.) For a college student or a "tween"? They've got one for everybody. What probably started out as trying to make those basic black covers more attractive (I prefer maroon, personally.) has bled into trying to make the inside of the Bible more attractive as well.

What do I mean? Well, just read the description that comes with this Bible marketed to teen girls:

"Do you ever feel that the Bible is "too big and freaky looking"? Are you ever too intimidated to read it? Revolve is for you. It's a Bible that looks like a fashion magazine! With this relevant format and over 500 further-study notes, you'll feel comfortable exploring the Scriptures. Features Include: Blabs (Q & A), 12 Month-Long Calendars, Love Notes from God, Issue articles, Basics of Christianity Articles, Quizzes, Beauty Secrets, Relationship articles, Devotional Reading Plans, and more!"

Oh, how I wish I were kidding.

I first stumbled on some reviews of the many teen Bibles online. In particular, I read about the NIV Teen Study Bible and really couldn't believe what I was reading. So when I saw one of the teens at church with the same Bible, I asked him if I could look at it. Buried in the pages of the Bible are some glossy pages with cool hip colors and graphics. Each page has an alternative definition on it of a certain word. The first edition had this: "Sex-(alternative definition) another fun thing mean adults tell teenagers to keep away from." I believe newer versions have different wording. His did, anyway. But what scared me about all this is that this is EXACTLY the Bible I would have picked for my teen! I have an NIV Study Bible and I use it all the time. Great! One for teens--I'll take it.

My point about the two Bible versions above is that you are not just handing your kids the word of God, but also some articles (written by whom?), quizzes (magazine style), beauty secrets, and lots and lots of information on dating and more. Much more.

The one that concerned me the most of all the Bibles I researched was the NIV True Images Bible for teen girls. I wouldn't report on something that I had not seen with my own eyes. After reading about this Bible online and this article, which you must at least glance over to believe, I met an 11 year old girl who owned this Bible. I saw the articles with my own eyes and let me just say that I think I learned a few things by reading them and I am in my 30's! It horrifies me to think of my daughter reading these articles, while her eyes and thoughts should be on the word of God!

I know these topics are real. I know teens daily face them. I am sure you could collect stories of girls who were helped by this Bible. But I just want parents (and grandparents, and anyone else who would buy a Bible as a gift) to be aware that when it comes to Bibles these days--you really better look between that beautiful cover and past all the freebies and cool stuff that come along with it--and read exactly what you are handing your children.

Because if you are like me*, you might not like what you see. And you may just go buy a really "boring" Bible and put it in a cute cover for your daughter's Christmas present.

Next up: Part 3--Oh, Those Bothersome Little Pronouns!

*And if you are not like me--you can dismiss all of this as my own opinions. I "warned" a friend and they didn't see anything wrong with the Bible their child had. So...feel free to disagree.

You Sure Can't Judge By the Cover

We kind of collect Bibles around our house. I tease my husband because he has so many different ones. S was formerly in the Navy and one time I saw a "SAILOR'S BIBLE" at the Bible bookstore. I immediately acted like I was breaking out in a cold sweat and shaking as I walked slowly toward the Bible that WE DON'T HAVE!!!! (My sense of humor--one of the many reasons he married me.)

For years we have kept all of our Bibles, except the ones we are currently carrying with us, on a shelf together. We jokingly refer to it as the "religious shelf." And you have to say that with a very pompous sounding voice, by the way. We do give Bibles away whenever needed. If someone comes to our house and we find out they don't have a Bible--you better believe they are going home with their choice from the religious shelf. It is painful to know that we freely have all these Bibles in our home and Christians in other countries are lucky to get their hands on a Bible at all. We would give all of them away if we could except one for our family. But which one would we choose to keep if we could have just one?

AH HA!! THAT is the point of this post! (You just knew I'd get around to it eventually, didn't you?)

Before I get too far into this, let me give you some background on our Bible experience growing up. We both grew up with a mixture of versions or translations in our homes. We also both grew up with grandmothers who read only the King James Version. Since S and I grew up at the same church, I would have to say that the main version or translation (I know there's a difference, but you are going to see me use those terms interchangeably) that we grew up using was the New International Version (NIV).

Now, if you are a new Christian or perhaps have never been to church, what I just said was a bunch of nonsense. Believe me, even as someone who grew up in church, I'm about to confuse myself!

I've heard different things about different versions over the years. The real trouble began for me when I had to buy Bibles for my children. We had a lovely little hard cover baby Bible both girls carried to church back when they still stuck everything in their mouth. I wanted them to get in the habit of bringing their Bible to church so this was the one I bought them. Slob didn't hurt it at all. From there they graduated to The Young Reader's Bible. I knew this was not a real Bible, but rather a Bible story book. So last year for Christmas, with Sweetheart being a reader and all, I decided I needed to purchase real Bibles for both girls.

And I was completely overwhelmed.
I sensed this was a very important decision and I began by visiting the Bible bookstore. Silly me.
There are hundreds and hundreds of Bibles to choose from. It is absolutely mind-boggling. I had no idea where to start.

Of course I was drawn to cute little things like this. But I was leery of purchasing cuteness over quality. And then there were some that were just cool in a weird sort of way. At the same time, S was involved in youth ministry so I decided to see what kind of Bibles the teens at church carried. For weeks I accosted the children and teens at church: Let me see your Bible. Who gave this to you? Your mom? Where did she buy it? Can I look at it for a minute?

And then of course I hit the internet. And what I found was very interesting, but it will have to wait for the next post.

Coming This Week...

It's Arthur Week around here! We are doing our first author study on Marc Brown this week. (We aren't calling it that--you try explaining an AUTHOR study on ARTHUR to a 2nd grader!) Sweetheart loves Arthur and always tries to catch it on PBS in the afternoons. It seems like we've read all the books, but I just read tonight that there are over 100 of them, not including the new chapter books, so I guess we have a few to go.

Arthur has been a favorite around here for several years. When Sweetheart was in 1st grade at public school they sent a note home about "character dress up day." Boy was I excited!! Here was the school that never did anything fun. We knew what Sweetheart would be immediately. My mom actually sewed the jumper for her with one week's notice. She's such a gem! So here was my own little D.W. on that day. (And on a side note: only 2 or 3 kids in her class dressed up and no one said a word about the costumes all day. Yeah, it was a blast.)

There is one sour note in our Arthur plans this week. Little Bit (3 years old) was traumatized by meeting Arthur at our local bookstore for storytime last year. Sweetheart has always enjoyed going to character storytimes. But then she has never been afraid of costumes. When she was 2 or 3, the babysitter dressed her up for me to pick up after work and rush over to the bank to get her picture made with the Easter Bunny. She knew where we were going. She marched into that bank with her little purse on her arm and said, "Where the Hop?" She looked around. Then, "Oh! There the Hop!" and proceeded to priss right over and climb up in his or her lap for a visit. So, character in costume are Sweetheart's friends.

But not so with the younger one. When I saw Arthur was coming to the bookstore we made plans to go. Little Bit even seemed excited. After all, Sissy watched Arthur every day on TV, so Little Bit knew all about him. I kind of forgot she's not a fan of the costumes. She had her back turned when Arthur came out and when she turned and saw him she ran to us, crying. Folks, he WAS big. His head was huge! Daddy rescued Little Bit and they left to go to another section of the store.

I thought that was it, but boy was I wrong. "Big Arthur" will probably never leave our conversations. We discuss how they took off the costume and probably put it in a box. Every time someone mentions Arthur she makes us clarify..."Little Arthur." Sweetheart gets in trouble for whispering "Big Arthur" when she wants her sister to leave her alone. And? The funniest was the day we used our little stuffed Arthur doll to terrorize the baby in her doll house. (Watch out baby! Big Arthur is coming!!!!) I thought Little Bit would fall down laughing. I had taken pictures of the costume from the bookstore and oh how I wish I could download them--but true to my word I deleted them after the unfortunate foxhole episode.

Little Bit was standing by me at the computer one day while I searched through pictures for something. "Big Arthur" suddenly popped up on the screen and I am not exaggerating when I tell you that she DOVE under the computer chair HEAD FIRST. Exactly as a soldier would dive into a foxhole. I promised deletion after I finally calmed her down and that is what I did. So, I have no pictures to show you.

I will be very careful this week to only study about "Little Arthur." AND--we will have fun!

Keepin' It Real

Bloggers have been accused of being fake on their blogs at times. We only show a certain part of ourselves to our readers and sometimes paint a nicer picture than is actually true.


I just wanted you, my readers, to know that here at The Family Revised we do not adhere to these false practices. I am all about being honest and real with you.


I'll prove it.


A while back I posted a picture of my living room. It was all clean and shiny and wonderful. Here's a reminder:

But I just want you to know that this is NOT an actual representation of our living room. Here is the stark reality of our lives when we have been running like chickens with our heads cut off for 2 weeks straight:

Making my readers feel better about their own houses. Just another service I provide here at my little blog.

Have a great day!