A new translation of the Bible has received attention in the news recently. The new "gender accurate" version released by the Today New International Version will replace archaic terms such as "with child" to "pregnant." Loaded words such as "men" will be changed to "men and women." The effort is being made to make the Bible "more accessible" to younger readers.
As silly and unnecessary as these changes are, the new translation will most likely be an enormous success. Why? Because the Bible is always a success. It has dominated bestseller lists since bestseller lists were invented.
The Bible has achieved its permanent bestseller status for a good reason. Charles Dickens called the New Testament "the greatest novel ever written." The King James Version of the Bible is so beautifully written that Shakespeare has been rumored to have a hand in its production?and although he probably did not, Biblical references are all over his work. The Bible is the best-selling and most read book in world history. Its range of impact on Western Civilization is unmatched.
However, it has become noticeably absent in modern academia. Very few American colleges require that students read the Bible as literature or as scripture. Bowdoin's religion majors are not even required to read it. Strange, considering that it is the most influential book...ever.
Its influence can be felt in almost every department that Bowdoin offers. Can Milton be understood without it? The Sistine Chapel? The Founding Fathers? The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.? You might even need to whip out the Bible to understand the latest Kanye West single. Unfortunately, a staggering number of liberal arts graduates across the country lack even a rudimentary understanding of the Bible, and their understanding of the world around them suffers as a result.
As the Bible is phased out of academia, Christianity is facing increased criticism. Mel Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ was intensely scrutinized even before it was released. President Bush is often criticized for being "too religious." The use of the word "God" is under attack in the Pledge of Allegiance. Lunatic Bible-thumpers like Jerry Falwell are labeled as the spokespeople for Christians worldwide, when in fact rational Christians could care less how gay Sponge Bob is. Misconceptions and prejudices toward Christianity are reaching record highs.
The main reason that this is happening is that many of those who criticize Christians have not read the Bible and lack understanding. They do not know what the Bible actually says. They cannot name major figures or remember major stories. They scoff at George W. Bush for saying that his favorite political philosopher is "Jesus," but they do not know much about him.
If they did, they may not be so easily offended. In fact, they might find something in common with GW?because Jesus is not a partisan figure. He embodies characteristics that Christians and non-Christians alike can admire. He was a hardworking and humble man who loved his family. He lived simply and was not impressed by money. He spent his life helping those that needed it. He taught the uneducated. He blessed the poor and the meek. He cured the sick. He befriended sinners and saints alike, and taught how to live a better life. He forgave those that made mistakes, even those that betrayed and crucified him. He had a perfect love for humanity, and he did everything in his power (including giving his life) to help his brothers and sisters. Once again, we are presented with a figure that could be embraced not only by right-wing nutjobs, but liberal wieners alike. Everyone has an equal share.
Unfortunately, the collegiate setting may not be the best place for Biblical study, but the Bible itself is an accessible work, even if you use the gender inaccurate versions. You do not need to be a Christian to read it and appreciate it for its immense historical significance. So, enrich your learning experience and multiply your intellectual talents by delving into the most important book of Western history.