Though sometimes charged, nothing has happened or
is happening in the realm of mainstream Bible translations as far as removing
the sin of homosexuality.[i] I
would be surprised if any of the current crop head down that road anytime soon.
However, this does not mean some new translation will not do so. The mysterious
originators of the Queen James Version
in 2012 have perhaps fired the first volley. Who knows when someone will take
up that mantle. I do not consider the QJV either mainstream or even a real
translation, but it reflects the desire to water down, change, or remove Bible
texts that deal with homosexuality.
The Queen
James Version of the Bible is a niche Bible, sort of like the Holy Name Bible and the New World Translation. Niche
Bibles work over verses to suit their own beliefs. According to their own propaganda, apparently there are only eight verses that concern them: “The
Queen James Bible seeks to resolve interpretive ambiguity in the Bible as it
pertains to homosexuality: We edited those eight verses in a way that makes
homophobic interpretations impossible.”[ii]
The Eight Changed Verses, KJV and QJV compared.
Genesis 19:5
“and they called unto Lot, and said unto him,
Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them
out unto us, that we may know them.” (KJV)
“And they called out unto Lot, and said unto him,
‘Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us,
that we may rape and humiliate them’.” (QJV)
Leviticus 18:22
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” (KJV)
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind in the temple of Molech; it is an abomination.” (QJV)
Leviticus 20:13
“If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put
to death; their blood shall be upon them.” (KJV)
“If a man also lie with mankind in the temple of
Molech, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination:
they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” (QJV)
Romans 1:26–27
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile
affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is
against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the
woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which
is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which
was meet.” (KJV)
“Their women did change their natural use into
that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, left of the natural
use of the woman, burned in ritual lust, one toward another; Men with men
working that which is pagan and unseemly. For this cause God gave the idolators
up unto vile affections, receiving in themselves that recompense of their error
which was meet.” (QJV)
1 Corinthians 6:9
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not
inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with
mankind,” (KJV)
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not
inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolators, nor adulterers, nor morally weak, nor promiscuous,” (QJV)
1 Timothy 1:10
“for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves
with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be
any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;” (KJV)
“For whoremongers, for them that defile
themselves, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be
any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;” (QJV)
Jude 1:7
“Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about
them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after
strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal
fire.” (KJV)
“Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about
them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after
nonhuman flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of
eternal fire.” (QJV)
This work is far out on a limb, and no other
current Bible version is out on that limb with it. However, the mindset is
there, even among some so-called evangelicals. If new Bibles move in that
direction in the future, it should not be surprising. Matthew Vines has been in the forefront of leading evangelicals in this Bible-doesn’t-say-that direction.
He writes about it in Why
I Left College and Spent Two Years Finding Out What the Scriptures Really
Say, and in another place says, “The Bible never addresses sexual
orientation or same-sex marriage, and its references to same-sex behavior are
to lustful, fleeting acts, not loving, committed relationships.”[iii]
The Queen
James Version of the Bible, also known as the Gay Bible, is direct frontal
assault on biblical orthodoxy and biblical morality. Its efforts are niched and
narrow. However, it will be no surprise to me when there is a future attempt to
bring a gay-friendly Bible into the “mainstream.”
[i] However, changing
gender-specific words in the original language to gender-neutral or
gender-inclusive translations is seen by many as the first step in that
direction.
[ii] In
addition, the unknown editors added many thoughts about the Bible and
homosexuality in their introductory pages, in order to support their changes. For
example, concerning Genesis 19:5, the editors write, “Rapes such as this one
are common between men in prison; they aren’t sexual acts, they are
power-dominating acts.”
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