Cult?

[lynnehelen]

I read a book, “The New Believer’s Bible.” Someone gave it to me fifteen years ago and I read it passage by passage for almost ten years, a little each day. This book led me into confusion. At the very beginning there is a hook. The Editor uses a passage from the Old Testament to scare the reader into thinking he or she will be condemned if he or she doesn’t immediately accept the message upon hearing it, in other words, he sends a message that you are condemned unless you keep reading. This book is filled with notes and advice by the editor. It may be a respected text. I do not know. All I know is that it used fear, which seems to me to be the opposite of how you come to real faith. Also, in the Notes, there is a passage about a third of the way through where the Editor, having hooked a vulnerable new Christian into reading his book, takes him or her down, making him or her feel low in himself, as if that is part of the Truth. I know that I had a particular problem with becoming isolated in the world of a book. However I believe that this book has that tendency anyway. It led me to isolation. The editor then, having scared you and made you feel low, encourages you toward fellowship, which I then had a problem with because how I had been made to feel, truly wanting to believe and trusting, even though somewhere in my mind, thank God, I kept a reserve. I have finally come to this site for answers and it is literally saving my life.

My question is, is that book still on the shelves? Are people still being hooked by it? Is that okay? One route to finding real faith in the end? Are there other people out there like me who were really scared by it? I lived a false faith for years. I was even scared to read any other books after that, scared to go to the bookstore, I didn’t know why.

 

[Dorothy]

The book is still being sold. As soon as I read your post I looked it up, and there are reviews on Amazon.

I can’t comment on the book as I have not read it.

From what you wrote, if it indeed uses scare tactics as you said, it doesn’t sound right.

Hopefully there will be others who can respond with sound information for you.

I will pray for you right now.

 

[Legend]

I also looked it up on Amazon…

OP-Was it a Bible, like others, or was it someone’s own idea on what Christians should believe, think, behave? It sounds like a very controlling person’s commentary, the way you described it.

But, the one I found on Amazon is simply an alternate title for a relatively recent translation of the Bible that is used in all Christian churches. So far, all i’ve seen are Protestant versions, which are a little different from Catholic ones, in the Old Testament.

This version seemed to be rather heavily footnoted by the editor, a Protestant evangelist. Unfortunately, I had no way of judging how judgmental it was, not havivg a copy or ready access to one.

So, if you get a chance, try and ask a priest, or trusted lay scholar, about this.(Same suggestion goes for all who are reading this thread. If it is not a recognized Bible, or, worse yet, just ,a fictionalized idea of what the author thinks a Bible should be, people should be warned. I, personally, have received much of my religious knowledge, to say nothing of personal edification and comfort, from personal Bible study, and dare say, so have many others. People picking up this work, thinking it is"The Bible", and treating it with the reverence and reliability rightly due the genuine article, are in for a rude awakening. If it was called by any other name, at least they would know that there is possible danger. Please, anyone having the time and resources…look into this work further!

I have to sleep now, but I know I’ll begin my own investigation…probably tomorrow morning. The Church does NOT need a false Bible!!!

 

[InternetWoman]

There are many Bible translations out there. To name a few:

• NAB - New American Bible (Catholic - what we use in Church)
• RSV - Revised Standard Version (Protestant)
• RSV/CE - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
• NIV - New International Version (Protestant and the translators diddle the language to meet their own agenda.
• NJV - New Jerusalem Version (Catholic)

In all of these translations the key to success is realizing that while the words of scripture are infallible the translations and more importantly the notes and comments are NOT! That’s why it is very good to have a reliable commentary handy when questions arise. Ignatius Press puts out Study Bible that is good but my personal favorite are the Navarre commentaries. They are wonderful faith filled books that bring God’s word to life.

I’d recommend the OP drop the New Believers Bible into the trash and go find a good Catholic Bible and commentary.