January 28, 2002

I am appalled but hardly surprised at the revelation that the International Bible Society is pursuing its long-standing goal of a so called "inclusive" language version of the Bible. If you issued a "gender neutral" version of Shakespeare, it would be the imposition of ideology on what the English bard believed and wrote. To impose this ideology on the writings of Moses, Isaiah, John, Paul, et cetera is to change what they wrote and often what they meant. It is fundamentally simply dishonest and grossly unfair to the writers of Scripture. Further, it is an insult to the English language and contributes to the continuing decadence of that language. Besides, what the world really needs right now is just one more Bible translation. Thankfully most evangelicals will not buy it.

Paige Patterson, President
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina