For those of our readers who receive the “Berean Call” from Dave Hunt and “Flashpoint” from Texe Marrs, Despatch makes the following comments.
A sad “slanging match” has eventuated between these two men of God over the book, “New Age Versions” by Gail Riplinger. If anything, Texe Marrs has shown up poorly in later episodes of this “saga”, in our humble opinion. He has become insulting towards Dave Hunt, who after all is sincerely seeking to obey God and honor His Word, just as Texe is doing. We ask for prayer for both men in this trial, which has gotten out of hand. May love prevail, dear Lord.
The original discussion about modern Bible versions has now turned into a defence of the King James Bible, both men putting their views on the subject, at length. From what we considered to be a good, solid stance, Texe Marrs has now drifted fearfully into error! He has gone far too far in his defence of the KJV, and has tumbled into RUCKMANISM! Texe advertises Peter Ruckman material, and lectures by Ruckman.
On the other hand, Dave Hunt is defending modern versions which should never be accepted by the people of God! Riplinger was quite right, despite what some may say about her level of scholarship. In our opinion, both these men are now in error, because they have gone too far - one to the left, and one to the right. Where is the balance? It is a shame that the real losers in this debate will be other people, those who cannot grasp the finer points of the issue, anyway.
In an attempt to be of help, a clarification of the extremes and balances follows. Books will be recommended for those who want to investigate further. In all this, the truth we should grasp firmly is - THE SUPERIOR BIBLE VERSION BY FAR IS THE KING JAMES VERSION. This reImagess true, then why use any other version?
WHAT CAN WE SEE IN ALL THIS CONFUSION?
1. Gail Riplinger began by exposing modern versions, Texe Marrs has
now departed into another area altogether. Marrs is now into the area of
the heresy which states that THE KJV IS THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD, SUPERIOR
TO THE TEXTUS RECEPTUS. This is where the extremes of Ruckmanism lead.
Examine the latest editions of “Flashpoint” by Texe to see the heavy Ruckmanism
coming out.
Ruckman declares that the “A.V. 1611” (KJV) is superior to all Greek texts; that the KJV English actually corrects the “errors” in any Greek texts; and the heresy that the KJV has “advanced revelation” is taught by Peter Ruckman. Riplinger is not involved in this extreme, her book does not head that way at all.
2. Dave Hunt began the discussion by denouncing Riplinger’s findings, and ended up casting doubt on the preserved Word of God, which can be safely relied upon, the KJV. Riplinger has been endorsed by sound scholars in the USA (denounced by others, which have more liberal leanings). Although Despatch endorses Riplinger’s work, we DO NOT SUPPORT THE EXTREMES OF TEXE MARRS, nor do we feel that it is Godly to attack a man in the way Texe is has done in regard to Dave Hunt. Nor do we support the biased beliefs of Dave Hunt, for that matter.
3. Despatch holds that the balance lies here. The modern versions are faulty, coming from the Westcott and Hort translations, which are unreliable, altered and Catholic/Occult in emphasis. The KJV, coming as it does from the Textus Receptus, is reliable, a Godly version which is without a doubt the preserved Word of God - but it is NOT superior to the Textus Receptus, it is NOT a greater revelation than the originals. The book, “THE RUCKMAN CONSPIRACY” by Dr. R.L. Hymers, Jr. M.Div.,D.Min.,TH.D, can be purchased from Evangelical Literature Enterprises at Strathpine on this subject.
4. It seems to me that our brother Marrs has “lost the plot!” Texe Marrs has come around in a circle, and could now be going rapidly into an occult area of deception! Now this has nothing to do with the point be began at, the defence of Riplinger’s book! Peter Ruckman, who Texe Marrs is pushing in his zeal, has had an occult “out-of-body” experience which is no less than demonic in nature. Dr. Hymers, who wrote extensively on Ruckmanism, stresses that Ruckman MAY never been released from demonism, and even questions the man being a saved Christian at all! I quote from “The Ruckman Conspiracy”: “Keep in mind that these are Ruckman’s own words on the subject: ‘One night in the hotel room I had the experience of nirvana, which the Zen call samadhi, the dislocation of the spirit from the body...and yet, looking at my moral life following that experience, and my desire at times to commit suicide, I realize I had produced a passive state that was an entrance for spirits. And the spirits that that (sic) entered are not the spirits described in the Bible in speaking of the Holy Ghost and the Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Dr. Ruckman’s Testimony, tape 1, Pensacola Bible Institute) Another quote from “The Ruckman Conspiracy”: “This brings us to the possibility that Ruckman was never Scripturally born again. Ruckman himself says that when he told the man who led him in the sinner’s prayer that he was saved, “I felt like I was lying.” If it is true that Ruckman was lying and did not trust in Jesus, this would explain how he could still be demonized...This could explain such strange teachings as Ruckman’s four plans of salvation.” (p.20) [Ruckman says he is born-again, God alone can judge.]
A book which we have read with interest, “The Answer Book” by Dr. Samuel Gipp, has much of value in it, but it over balances into some areas of Ruckmanism. “God Wrote Only One Bible”, by Jasper James Ray reImagess a solid choice for those who wish to delve further. A QUOTE.... TO CLEAR YOUR MIND OF CONFUSION: “The King James Bible is the finest translation in the English language. We say this for three reasons.
First, the KJV is superior because it has a superior text. The Masoretic Text in Greek and far superior to the mutilated Westcott and Hort text used in the modern translations. Dean Burgon, Edward Hills, and other scholars have shown that the Hebrew and Greek texts from which the King James is translated are better than the Hebrew and Greek texts used today (in modern translations, Editor) because these modern texts are based on mutilations from the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus manuscripts, and other fragments which, though older, are less reliable than the ones used by the KJV translators.
Secondly, the KJV is superior because it had superior translators. The men who translated the King James Version were some of the greatest Biblical linquists that the world has ever known. Their knowledge far surpassed, in the Images, the linguistic knowledge of the translators of the modern versions. Coupled with this is the fact that the King James translators knew English backwards and forwards. Many of the modern translators have a poor knowledge of English, particularly English style. For this reason many passages in the N.A.S.V., for instance, have been labelled ‘wooden’ because the English style is poor....
Thirdly, the King James Version is superior because they used a superior translating technique. They did not use ‘dynamic equivalence’ as the N.I.V., the Living Bible, and other modern versions do. Wherever possible the King James translators gave the literal meaning.” (Dr. R.L. Hymers Jr).
We recommend also the excellent article on Ruckmanism by Sidney Hunter, “Biblical Fundamentalist”, June 1, 1993, Vol.26 No.10. P.O. Box 5010, Brendale, QLD 4500.
A book review on Riplinger’s “New Age Bible Versions” this issue, will bring our readers back to the original discussion by Marrs and Hunt, which started all this! Whether or not you accept Riplinger’s work is not the real issue, in truth. She is NOT the only authority on the reality of the perversions of modern texts. Whether you stand with Dave Hunt or Texe Marrs is NOT the real issue (frankly, I have departed from BOTH about this argument, although they reImages great leaders in other matters). The real issue is - do you realise what a GLORY you have in your hand when you read the King James Version? The days are evil, the deceptions are fierce, trust the Lord and pray for the saints of God - including our brothers Dave and Texe. Do not reject either one, and do not polarize over this discussion, nothing would please the devil more.
Whilst dealing with Bible versions, and the Word of God which can be totally relied upon, KJV, where does that leave a Christian leader who sets out to rewrite the entire Bible using modern versions and KJV to do it? A leader who changes some English to Hebrew, in order to Judaize? Who then calls his new version “Clear Preferred Version”, and who always quotes from his own translation? Talk about confusion! Let us earnestly pray that other leaders do not follow suit, or we will have so many “bibles” that we could run a contest, “who translated the best “Word of God” for the 1990s?”
THE PROPHETS WHO SAY “THUS SAYETH THE LORD”.
Why do modern day “preachers” want to discredit the KJV? Because, if
it is the inerrant, pure Word of God (and it is) that means that THEY must
bow the knee and be in subjection to the Word! They do not want that, they
want to be “gods” themselves, and they want THEIR words reverenced as “god’s”
word. Consider the prophecies of Rick Joyner as an example. They “prophesy”
saying “thus saith the LORD.” The same can be said for many who are leaders
of today. “Is not MY WORD like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer
that breaketh the rock in pieces?
Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that
STEAL MY WORDS every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets,
saith the Lord, THAT USE THEIR TONGUES, AND SAY, HE (GOD) SAITH.” (Jer.
23:29-31).
despatch@mail.cth.com.au
