Rewriting The Bible: Sin Or Modern Adaptation?

The act of rewriting the Bible to align with modern sensibilities is a highly controversial topic. Some people may argue that altering the Bible's message to make it more relatable to a contemporary audience could be beneficial, especially for younger generations who may struggle with the archaic language and cultural context of the original text. On the other hand, religious scholars and believers alike assert that changing even a single word of Scripture is a sin. They argue that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and that humans do not have the authority to modify it to suit their own agendas or interpretations. Furthermore, they contend that the Bible's teachings are timeless and universally applicable, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers.

The Bible warns against rewriting Scriptures

The Bible is considered by many to be the infallible word of God, and as such, any attempt to change or reinterpret its teachings is seen as a sin. The Bible itself contains warnings against altering its Scriptures, indicating that it is not meant to be rewritten to suit modern tastes or interpretations.

One such warning is found in II Timothy 4:3-4, where Paul, the Apostle, writes: "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." This passage highlights the danger of seeking out teachings that align with personal desires rather than adhering to the truth of God's word.

Additionally, in the Book of Acts, Paul commends the Bereans for their noble-mindedness in eagerly receiving the word of God while also cautiously examining the Scriptures to ensure their accuracy. This story, found in Acts 17:11, serves as an example of how believers should approach new teachings by comparing them to the written Word of God.

Another relevant passage is Psalm 119:9-11, 105, which says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your Word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your Commandments. Your Word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Here, the psalmist emphasizes the importance of treasuring and obeying God's Word, which serves as a guide to protect us from sin.

These passages, among others, indicate that the Bible is meant to be trusted and obeyed as it is written. While interpretations and translations may vary, the underlying message remains: altering or rewriting Scripture is not in line with the teachings of the Bible.

The Chinese Communist Party's version of the Bible

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has embarked on a 10-year project to rewrite the Bible and other religious texts as part of its push to "sinicize" religion. This effort to increase its control over religion in the country has been met with concern by religious groups and observers worldwide.

In the CCP's version of the Bible, the story of Jesus and the adulterous woman in the Gospel of John takes a drastically different turn. Instead of forgiving the woman and telling her to leave her life of sin, the CCP's interpretation has Jesus stoning the woman to death himself. This alteration completely changes the message of the original text, which emphasizes mercy and the importance of self-reflection before judgment.

Furthermore, reports indicate that CCP authorities in Henan province have forced Protestant churches to replace the Ten Commandments with quotes from Chairman Xi Jinping. The first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me," has been replaced with "Resolutely guard against the infiltration of Western ideology." This substitution reflects the CCP's goal of making faithful serve the party rather than God, as stated by U.S. Representative Mike Gallagher.

The CCP's actions extend beyond the rewriting of the Bible and into the realm of religious practice and authority. The party has persecuted Buddhist and Muslim ethnic minorities and sought to control Christian doctrine. Additionally, the CCP has infringed upon the Western conception of religious liberty by forcing the church to be subservient to the state, challenging the traditional Christian understanding of the church and state as separate institutions.

The Vatican's response to the Chinese Communist Party

In 2018, the Vatican signed a provisional agreement with Beijing, which was renewed in 2020, 2022, and again in October 2024 for another four years. The agreement allows the Chinese government to recommend bishops, who are then appointed by the Pope with the power to veto. While the Vatican has described this as a "pastoral" move to unite the faithful with bishops recognised by both the Vatican and Chinese authorities, critics argue that it gives an atheist dictatorship a role in the appointment of bishops.

The Vatican's position is that the appointment of bishops is the prerogative of the Pope, and that the Chinese bishops are valid but illicit, meaning that they are considered bishops, but the process of their appointment is sinful. This is a significant issue in the bilateral relationship from the Vatican's perspective. The Chinese government, on the other hand, maintains that bishops in China should be elected by Chinese Catholics through the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which is part of the United Front system, giving the Communist Party ultimate control over bishop appointments.

Despite the agreement, the Vatican has accused the Chinese government of violating its terms. For instance, in 2022, a bishop was installed in a diocese not recognised by the Holy See, and in April 2023, the Vatican learned of the appointment of Bishop Shen Bin to the Diocese of Shanghai only a few days before. Additionally, China has been criticised for its treatment of religious minorities, including Uyghur Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians, with no improvements following the agreement.

The Vatican's response to the CCP has been scrutinised due to its perceived silence on human rights and religious freedom in China, even as the CCP intensifies its control over foreign religious institutions. The Vatican's priority appears to be on improving relations and maintaining diplomatic ties, which has led to concerns about a compromise of the Church's moral authority.

The CCP's 10-year project to rewrite the Bible and other religious texts

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has embarked on a controversial 10-year plan to rewrite the Bible and other religious texts, including the Quran, as part of an effort to "sinicize" religion, or make it more Chinese in character. This project is ultimately aimed at making the faithful serve the party rather than God, with Xi Jinping himself taking on a god-like role.

The Gospel of John

A notable example of the CCP's reinterpretation of religious texts can be found in their treatment of the Gospel of John. In the original text, Jesus confronts the accusers of a woman caught in adultery, saying, "let the one among you who is guiltless be the first to throw a stone at her." As the accusers slink away, Jesus asks the woman, "Has no one condemned you?" to which she replies, "No one, sir." Jesus then says, "Neither do I condemn you. Go away, and from this moment sin no more."

The CCP's Interpretation

The CCP's version of this story takes on a very different message. In their interpretation, Jesus himself becomes a ruthless killer, stoning the adulterous woman to death. This new narrative shifts the focus from one of forgiveness and mercy to one of challenging the authority of the state, aligning with the CCP's goal of prioritizing party loyalty over religious devotion.

Impact on Religious Practice

The CCP's project has had tangible impacts on religious practice in China. Local CCP officials in Henan province forced Protestant churches to replace the Ten Commandments with quotes from Xi Jinping. For instance, the first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me," was replaced with diktats such as, "Resolutely guard against the infiltration of Western ideology."

Resistance and Persecution

Despite intense persecution, faith continues to persist and even grow in China. Underground churches, brave clergy, and steadfast believers resist the CCP's efforts, choosing to prioritize their spiritual beliefs over state ideology. As one Chinese church pastor stated, "In this war, the rulers have chosen an enemy that can never be imprisoned—the soul of man."

The CCP's goal to make the faithful serve the party

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), officially the Communist Party of China (CPC), is the founding and sole ruling party of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The CCP has governed China and maintained sole control over the People's Liberation Army (PLA) since 1949. The CCP's goal is to establish a "Community of Common Destiny for Mankind" and remake the world according to its ideology. This includes reinterpreting religious texts like the Bible to align with communist party doctrine.

The CCP seeks total control over the Chinese people, including economic, political, physical, and thought control. To achieve this, the CCP employs mandatory study sessions on communist ideology, smartphone apps that teach "Xi Jinping Thought," and strict censorship of all media and information sources.

The CCP's ideology is based on Marxism-Leninism, and its leaders, such as Xi Jinping, see themselves as successors to figures like Josef Stalin. The CCP believes that individuals exist to serve the state, not the other way around, and are expendable in pursuit of the nation-state's goals.

The CCP's efforts to control thought extend beyond China's borders. They have invested billions of dollars in overseas propaganda operations and sought to eliminate 'unfriendly' Chinese-language media outlets worldwide. They have also pressured American companies and organizations to self-censor and conform to CCP ideology, threatening to restrict market access or retaliate against individuals and entities that do not comply.

The CCP's actions demonstrate a clear intention to make the faithful serve the party, both within China and internationally. They are willing to use economic coercion, propaganda, and censorship to achieve their goals and ensure that individuals and organizations adhere to the party's ideology.

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