The Poverty and Justice Bible, the latest release from Bible Society, has broken new ground as the first ever to literally highlight the more than 2,000 passages that reveal God’s sorrow over poverty and injustice, and His command to believers to act to eradicate them.
The new edition challenges the notion that the Bible is a dusty, outdated rulebook, and shows that God – through the Bible - was already speaking out on poverty long before anyone else.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Tom Wright, bishop of Durham and Bible Society’s president, said, “Poverty and injustice are two of the biggest issues of our day, challenging the minds of politicians and social activists around the world.
“The imbalance of global wealth, famine, water shortages, exploitation and corruption are all issues that invoke outrage – and demand attention. But The Poverty and Justice Bible shows that, in speaking out on these issues, God got there first.”
Far from being irrelevant, the Poverty and Injustice Bible demonstrates that God’s Word has “something to say about issues that resonate today”, the bishop added.
“This Bible connects with the very fabric of today’s world, with all its problems and messiness – and has something powerful to say,” he said.
Bible Society was inspired to develop the new Bible after Pastor Rick Warren, author of bestselling The Purpose Driven Life, admitted that had missed more than 2,000 verses that speak of God’s heart for the poor despite studying theology and being a pastor for decades. He claimed that Christians risked losing their credibility if they failed to speak out against poverty and injustice.
Christian leader and commentator Tony Campolo added, “Here’s proof that faith without commitment to justice for the poor is a sham, because it ignores the most explicit of all the social concerns of Scripture.”
Bible Society staff and experts spent months debating and sifting through the Contemporary English Version (CEV) Bible to pull out the verses that say something about God’s attitude to poverty and justice. The result was more than 2,000 sections, with almost every page from Genesis to Revelation emphasizing just and fair behavior.
The organization hopes that the Poverty and Justice Bible will also act as a springboard for Christians to take action on these issues by helping them link social action with Scripture.
The new Bible, produced with support from aid agency World Vision, includes a 32-page study guide written by bestselling authors Nick and Claire Page, and covers a wide range of timely issues from equality to education, and farming to fair trade.
The studies highlight that concern for the oppressed is foundational to faith, and encourage action – from giving and praying, to living responsibly.
“For us in this country, issues of poverty and justice have increasingly become front and center,” Bible Society Chief Executive James Catford said. “What this Bible shows is that on the topics that challenge us every day, God got there first. The Bible has something to say about life and, in fact, there’s nothing on earth that we can experience that the Bible doesn’t tackle.
“The Poverty and Justice Bible helps the Church engage with the Bible more effectively by linking Scripture with issues that are rooted in today’s world. For Bible Society, this is just as important as our work to make the Bible available. It’s all part of the fight against Bible poverty.”
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Great! Another super attempt by liberal Christians to show us how terrible we all are!
Type "poor" into Bible Gateway. In the NASB it's found 148 times and in this version (the CEV) it's found 226 times. It shows the post-modern way the Bible is being interpreted now. Thank you N.T. Wright and the emergents!
I have no problem with people pointing out the verses that are actually about the poor. God certainly says we should help the poor. It is extremely important. But to say that's what the central message of the gospel is about is ridiculous. The gospel is about a God who loved us enough to die for our sins!
Christ commands us to help the poor. Christians do.
I recommend supporting Food for the Hungry, based in Phoenix, AZ. THey help people all over the world. I was on staff for about 7 years with them, and though no organization is perfect, this is one of the real good ones.
Great post, BooGieONdown - Finally someone with a sound thoughts on this topic. Some poor people require help that is education. That's what I said way back in my FIRST POST. Help is not one size fits all, and the church needs to tailor help based on the circumstances. We must consider how people got into poverty in order to provide the proper solution. HALELUJAH!!!
theres a type of help called education. not everyone needs handouts some need to be enlighted on how to stay out of that place they are in. Why do we need Bible to tell us this. Shouldn't Christians be lead by the Spirit? and if so wouldn't they be led to do the will of god.
This is important, very important, because so many of us seem to ignore this part of the ministry of Christ.
QT,
"Is there a need for the IGNORANCE scriptures to be highlighted? I think so! I read a lot of ignorant, Anti-Christ blather from people who claim to be Christians. Jesus was very much a anti-poverty, anti-social injustice kinda prophet. The fact is, the people who oppose this kind of Bible are the guiltiest! They are those who sit in their ivory towers and do little or nothing but are the most vocal when they complain about the poor, the homeless and the needy."
I'm sure if you saw my house and knew the person that I am you would not say that I lived in an ivory tower, nor am I the guiltiest at leaving out the poor, you don't even know me, why would you make remarks like these? I stated my opinion I did not condemn people. My remark was based on the fact that we have soooo many different translations already. . . can anybody tell exactly how many we already have?
Good points. IIf we should truly help people regardless of circumstances, I have your first charity case: I saw in the media, a man who spent $250 on a pair of gym shoes and then could not pay his rent, and the landlord was suing him, and demanding he turn over the shoes as part of a settlement. But wait! He can call one of you so YOU can pay his rent. Which of you is willing to pick up the $630 rent tab??? Then he could keep his shoes. And if you would be kind enough to pay his rent again next month, he can afford to buy some $90 jeans to go with those shoes. ( : Remember, we must help EVERYONE, so start writing those checks people.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, Galatians 6:1-10, Luke 4:18,19
Galatians says to let the spiritual correct a "man" when he is caught in a fault. Regardless if he is in the faith or not. 2 Thessalonians says to not keep company with a "brother" that walks "disorderly, not working at all, but are busybodies". But we should "admonish" them: indicate duties or obligations to, express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner, and give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to. Jesus said that he was anointed to "preach the gospel to the poor" in Luke 4. Let the spirit of God lead you where you should go in this direction. God bless.
pammie: Ok, so those are some ways folks become poor. None of those verses says that if they become poor because they are lazy, we are not to help them (the verses say just the opposite) - it wouldn't matter if they were poor because they were mentally ill or if they gave their money away or if they just were plain lazy - they're still poor and we're still mandated to take care of them. Now, we can certainly talk about different ways to help them but we are to help them nonetheless . . . this is good dialogue! I like it. :)
Povery in many cases is unavoidable. Many people here and abroad are doing all they can just to surviive. No argument there. However, the following scriptures speak of poverty caused by personal choices and actions (or lack thereof).
Prov 19:15 KJV) Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Prov 20:4 KJV) The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Prov 20:13 KJV) Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Prov 23:21 KJV) For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
(Prov 21:25-26 KJV) The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour
pammie - But the Bible doesn't make that distinction. Look up the verses on the poor, and then tell me that there is a distinction. There isn't one that I can find.
When some people make a plain judgement about people as " lazy" we must look to the other
side. If they don't have a job to do, what they can do? I have traveled to some of the remote
areas of India ( that is my native country), I was broken hearted due to the fact that, even though they want to work, they don't have an opportunity to work. World Christian community
has a responsibility to solve this problem. When Jesus said, if somebody ask you to walk a
mile, walk the 2nd mile. When we try to wipe the tears of the suffering people anywhere in
the world, we are actually walking the 2nd mile, as Jesus has commanded us to do.
Why do you think the Bible has instruction on BOTH benevolence and slothfulness??? It’s because distinction is made between those who are in need because of circumstances beyond their control , and those who have caused their own problems by being slothful or disobeying God. The Bible makes a clear distinction. We should too. ( :
<<<Having a bible that highlights passages about poverty and injustice...the whole of the bible should be highlighted. Looking for these passages I believe should come out of Love for God, then love for your neighbor as yourself otherwise I believe this could turn into a good works for salvation bible to people. >>>
Is there a need for the IGNORANCE scriptures to be highlighted? I think so! I read a lot of ignorant, Anti-Christ blather from people who claim to be Christians. Jesus was very much a anti-poverty, anti-social injustice kinda prophet. The fact is, the people who oppose this kind of Bible are the guiltiest! They are those who sit in their ivory towers and do little or nothing but are the most vocal when they complain about the poor, the homeless and the needy.
Funny that in all those statistics regarding POVERTY, no mention of "laziness."
BTW, I saw nowhere in the article that the highlighted scriptures regarding poverty and injustice were changes or additions to the original scriptures. FROM THE STORY
<<<"The Poverty and Justice Bible, the latest release from Bible Society, has broken new ground as the first ever to literally highlight the more than 2,000 passages that reveal God’s sorrow over poverty and injustice, and His command to believers to act to eradicate them.">>> That means that the bible will be highlighted, kinda like the Red Letter Bible highlights what Jesus said.
Half the world — nearly three billion people — live on less than two dollars a day.
The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the 41 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (567 million people) is less than the wealth of the world’s 7 richest people combined.
Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names.
Less than one per cent of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn’t happen.
1 billion children live in poverty (1 in 2 children in the world). 640 million live without adequate shelter, 400 million have no access to safe water, 270 million have no access to health services. 10.6 million died in 2003 before they reached the age of 5 (or roughly 29,000 children per day).
http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Poverty.asp
My idea is that someone who has enough concern for the poor and injustice should have gotten it from the "gospel" that is in the bible.....is there a bible that just highlights the gospel? The story of the crucifixion itself should give anyone enough information, compassion, understanding about injustice and poverty....practical application is not difficult but obedience to the gospel seems to be. Having a bible that highlights passages about poverty and injustice...the whole of the bible should be highlighted. Looking for these passages I believe should come out of Love for God, then love for your neighbor as yourself otherwise I believe this could turn into a good works for salvation bible to people.
Ifeelfine72 - I appreciate your views.
Yes the scriptures are about laziness but others speak of choices. And guess what, some (not all) people are poor because of laziness or at least bad choices. That's why need BOTH benevolence and tough love. I have no problem with helping people who are in need because of things they can't control. I have said that many times.
As far as helping people overseas, I feel that we are all called to help in different ways. That's why we help the young man and the people that we can readily reach. But our tithes do go to overseas missions.
pammie - thanks for the response. I looked up every verse in Proverbs you gave me and not a single one talked about the poor. They talked about lazy men, but not a single verse negated the 2000 verses about how we are to treat the poor or least amongst us.
I agree 100% that there is not a "one size fits all" solution to helping the poor and least amongst us. But the tenor of your statement makes it sound like most of the poor are that way because they are lazy and or want to be poor. I know a ton of working poor who would love to be back on their feet but the once good paying job is not here anymore or they've had a medical set back, etc.
I didn't mean for you to specifically tell me what you were doing, I just meant, if you didn't feel that the folks in the US are poor (granted many aren't, I know plenty that live above their means) then what are you doing to help those that are - either in other countries, or the working poor here at home.
Star - I help the poor at home.
In the words of Woodrow Kroll, "We don't need more bibles, we need to read the one we have". Amen.
Why do you think the Bible has instruction on BOTH benevolence and slothfulness??? It’s because distinction is made between those who are in need because of circumstances beyond their control , and those who have caused their own problems by being slothful or disobeying God. If there were not a distinction, there would be no need for Paul’s many teachings on diligence or Proverbs’ many admonitions about laziness. (Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 20:4, Proverbs 26:16, Proverbs 6:6, Proverbs 21:25, Proverbs 26:14, Proverbs 18:9, Proverbs 10:26, Proverbs 13:4.) The Bible says, "If any would not work, neither should he eat" (2 Thess. 3:10); and that one who refuses to provide for his family "hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1 Tim. 5:8).
Also see - http://www.broadcaster.org.uk/section2/transcript/riches2.htm
The point is help for the poor is not “one size fits all”. The Bible makes a clear distinction. We should too. As far as children suffering because of adults’ misdeeds – that’s why we have government agencies intervening on the behalf of children.
What is my family doing for the poor? 1) Tithing at our church that provides million of dollars annually to in help with food, housing, clothing, and counseling. 2) Personally helping a young person (not a relative) whose parents have made bad choices – (but he himself has a strong work ethic). So we have helped with everything from clothing to funding leisure activities, to guiding him in his application for school grants. 3) Teaching budgeting skills to adults who have income but do not know how to manage their finances.
I personally know someone who moved to a new city with only $70 and lived in the bus station but worked several jobs, then started his own business, and today (only 11 years later) lives in a home worth $400K and is now able to help other people. It can be done through hard work.
PS - Sounds like Reagan? Thanks for the compliment!
Personally, I find such a Bible refreshing in this day and age prosperity ministry. By having 2,000 verses at hand, it makes a strong case for helping the poor. Its also much harder to shoot someone's comments down when they are backed by hundreds more verses. And yes there are poor in America. Not as many as in other countries, but they still exist. And yes oftentimes, one of the household members are directly responsible, but that does not negate the needs of the children in those households. They are not at fault but they suffer the most from poverty.
ifeelfine72
What are you ding to help the poor in Uganda, Nigeria or Haiti?
pammie - First of all, the Bible doesn't put a stipulation on helping the poor - check out the scripture. It may talk about man's folly but nevertheless we are to help the poor. In the US we do not define poor the same way they would define poor in say Uganda, Nigeria or Haiti but then I ask, what are you doing for them?
As for your examples, they could have come right from Reagan's "welfare mother" playbook. They just don't hold. I know lots of folks that are working several jobs because they can't afford to put food on the table because their once good manufacturing job is somewhere else. Or they got sick and had to declare bancruptcy because of medical bills. You're clearly trying to redraw the line and it doesn't work or fit with God's plan.
According to the Bible, our benevolence is necessary and appropriate for people who are unable to attain life’s necessities, such as food, clothing, and human interaction. But what does it say about people suffering from their own financial mismanagement or people who neglect common-sense planning? “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough” (Prov. 28:19).
Paul wrote often about the godly requirement to be hard working. (2 Thess.3:6-15). He taught his followers not to become financial burdens to others. He also taught that if a man refused to work, the others should give him a loving admonishment.
People in the U.S. can escape poverty through diligence and hard work. They can also delay immediate gratification and set proper priorities. Randy Alcorn, a ministerial author, makes the following observation about the sources of poverty:
“Demographic breakdowns of the homeless also vary widely from source to source. The following is an average of statistics found in several different sources, and is therefore only roughly accurate. It appears that about 15 percent of homelessness is due to job loss and lack of low-income housing. About 35 percent is due to mental illness, which is usually accompanied by marginal job skills. About 50 percent of the homeless are physically and mentally able, with job skills ranging from minimal to optimal, but choose not to work."
While the church and the government should help the poor, that help should be tailored to specific situations. Some people require temporary financial help, some need help with budgeting, some need job-skills training, and some need drug treatment or psychological therapy. Still others need mentorship programs to keep them motivated. Alcorn also writes: “A nation, church, or family that subsidizes the lazy spawns laziness" (which can breed poverty).
Most people envision the poor as those barely having subsistence. But in reality, most people (in the U.S) officially defined as poor by the federal government are not indigent or homeless. Many have high-end televisions with subscription cable service, electronic entertainment components, video game systems, and name-brand apparel.
Jesus said there would always be poor among us. Any strategy of providing them assistance should include critical truths. First, the causes of poverty are sometimes self-imposed. Second, the solutions to poverty often require imparting discipline and tough love. Third, the rate of poverty has not dramatically increased in the last twenty-five years. Fourth, lack of material is far less a contributor to poverty than personal values. Re-examining these facts should inspire Christians to revise their views, priorities, and methods when it comes to championing the cause of poverty. From “Finding Soul Brothers” http://findingsoulbrothers.com.
The foremost book of the New Testament written by James, the brother of Jesus tells it
very plainly " Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after
orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world"
James 1:27. Evangelization and humanitarian works are co-related, and the full function of
the Church is not complete while we fail to meet the physical needs of the Church members,
neighbours and aliens.
In regard to poverty being the result of sin. . . .given the definition of poverty America is in poverty,,,,debt...so to speak....the sin that brings poverty most often referred to is the original sin committed by Adam that caused the world to be the way it is now. . . also for those of you who bash the gov't concerning ethical spending causing our nat'l debt to rise...isn't this also a sin to misuse funds entrusted to you for the welfare of America? That should of been a two for one for you guys.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
God has already decided what good works He wants us to do in the Kingdom of God. If a believer will make Jesus Christ the Lord of his/her life and will walk in obedience to Him, then he/she will fulfil the Will of God for his/her life. His Will will include praying for the lost, witnessing the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world, meeting the needs of the poor, and etc..
There is no need for a Bible to high-light certain scriptures regarding our responsibilites to help meet the needs of the poor. Over time, this Bible will change a Christian's mindset to focusing mainly on helping the poor while causing him/her to lose sight of God's total Will for him/her in the Kingdom of God.
If you are a Christian and you have not made Jesus the Lord of your life, then repent. Recommit your life to Jesus, make Him the Lord of your life, and walk in obedience to Him. If you will, then God will reveal to you each day what He wants you to do for Him and that will include helping the poor.
Amen,
Christians just read your bibles or go purchase a concordance for about $10.00 and look up the word poor. You will find everything God wants you to know about the poor.
Also, if you read a bible desinged to address only the poor; how will you be able to learn all the other subjects God wants us to learn like, Love, fornication, money, homosexuality, greed, health, gifts and so on.
God knew what he was doing when He wrapped them all together in one book. Trust Him!
Your thoughts are interesting and thought provoking. And there's more information on The Poverty and the Justice Bible at www.povertyandjusticebible.org where you can keep the debate going on the web discussion forum.
how can you eradicate poverty when pastors/teleevangelist are buying luxury cars & multi million dollar house & jets? the reason why rick warren missed 2000 verses relating to poverty is bec. poor people might wake up & ask where did the tithe money go? corruption within the church.
really, I heard from christians, pastors & tele evangelist that poverty is caused by SIN.
Jesus said "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven." No wonder so many get so upset by GOD's views on poverty. The greedy we shall have with us, always!
Patriot - Are you a Christian and have you read the Bible? There is nothing to add, the Bible already has those verses in it - all you have to do is read them.
Topekan - So one verse taken out of context replaces 2,000 other verses?
Some who claim to be Christians on this site seem more concerned with Republican (or conservative) politics than with Christ's message for us all.
Here we have yet another corrupted version of scripture to lead unsuspecting Christians into thinking Communism is good. Christians have been helping people since the first century more than any other philosophy or religion, period. How many hospitals in the US don't have some derivation of a Christian name? Most do. Most helping ministries, like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc., were founded by devout Christians. Are these guys blind or just stupid?
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
I hope Christians, especially the young ones, will wake up to the fact that these new versions simply corrupt the word of God with a communist or new age message.
The American church and American's in general are a generous lot - as evidenced by the billions given (freely) each year. Obviously this "christian" organization is under the assumption that we are greedy, selfish, and stingy. It is only a matter of time before these same people look for a political saviour to rescue the poor masses from their ignorance, inability to prosper, and request government intervention (rather than Godly intervention) to cure the world of all its problems.
Did they highlight the part where Jesus said "For the poor you have always with you" ?? Up until now I had always had a favorable opinion of World Vision.
Yet another corrupted version to teach communism to unsuspecting Christians. The people who come up with these corruptions don't seem to remember what Revelation says about adding and deleting things from God's Word.
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Rev 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Christians throughout history have been the greatest force for good in the world. It's only since these corrupted versions have come out that we seem to be missing our early focus on dealing with all these problems. Think there's a connection?
It sounds like a good Bible, or part of one, to emphasize the needs of the poor.
Maybe the rich of this world should do more for the poor, as well as share the word with them.
So many Christians only pay lip service to helping the poor and call it awesome. Maybe this new study Bible will help point out the obvious a little better so that God can transform us.
Truthfulwitness, go read Matthew 25:31-46, and let me know if you think Jesus is focusing here on “less offensive issues”.
Christians have been focused on poverty and injustice for centuries as many have posted ample evidence of on numerous comment sections here at The Christian Post. Christians have done more to ease human suffering and end injustice than all the other religions of the world combined.
What this new Bible is all about, is the attempt of heretics (like Tony Campolo) to take the focus off the devisive issues like the deity of Christ, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, and the exclusivity of Christ as the only means of reconciliation of God, and change the focus to less offensive issues like climate change, redistribution of income, poverty etc. etc.
The problem is that there is no power in a gospel based on social issues. The real Gospel's power is in forgiveness of sin by the blood of Jesus Christ and a new birth that conforms us into the likeness of God's Son.
Well since you have to get your copyright to make one you have to change things a little, like highlighting things, a special ability those without sharpee's can't afford.
Ironic...this Bible will probably bring in a heafty profit to the makers. Second, did we really need another Bible to tell us what the word of God already said to begin with???