Faithwire and Christian Headlines reported that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was rewriting the Bible, which would add socialist values and eliminate scriptures that do not comply with communist beliefs. Buddhism and Confucianism principles would be in the CCP version of the Bible. It was not clear when the CCP version would be released. However, the revised versions of John 8:1–11 were reported to be different than the original versions of the Bible.
In the original versions of the Bible, such as both the KJV and the NIV, the Pharisees brought an adulteress woman to Jesus. They told him that the woman was to be stoned according to the law of Moses. However, they wanted to know what he was going to say. Jesus started writing on the ground. Those who were convicted of right and wrong started to leave, starting with the oldest. He got up and asked the woman whether anyone had condemned or accused her. She said no. Then, Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (v. 11).
In the CCP version, the first part of the event is the same, but not the last part. It changes Jesus from freeing her to stoning her and saying that he is a sinner, which goes against Jesus’s teachings. The original versions of the Bible specify that Jesus was sinless, as shown in multiple verses. Such verses include I Peter 2:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, I John 3:5, etc. Not only that, but the Bible mentions the consequences of false teachings and worshipping idols. Revelation 22:18-19 mentions what will happen if anyone adds or takes away God’s words.
The interview of Todd Nettleton, a host from Voice of the Martyrs Radio, with Billy Hallowell, a Senior Writer from Faithwire, explained the purpose of CCP re-writing the Bible. He said the CCP is all about control and the Christian message would take away that, which is true. The government of China limits its religion’s freedom to practice in public or in non-public even though the country allows religion. Churches are under surveillance, and they have to preach based on the government’s interest. An article, “China Reveals What It Wants to Do with Christianity,” written by Brent Fulton, reported that the Chinese government had full control over religion. Its purpose was to maintain the regime’s consonancy and to defend outsiders who used religion to disrupt the country’s consonancy.
Furthermore, the CCP limits its government assistance to those who do not comply with the ruling. In her article, “Christians in China Must Replace Jesus With Pictures of Xi Jinping for Social Services,” Cristina Maza from Newsweek reported what Christians had to do to get government assistance. They had to take down the “crosses and images of Jesus Christ” and replace them with those of Chairman Xi Jinping. It is a way of discouraging Christians and others from worshipping Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It is also a way to encourage others to worship or praise the Chairman since he is the one who saves them from living below the poverty line. Does it sound like the biblical event of Romans seeing Jesus’ teachings is a threat to the Roman empire?
Nationwide, the Bible is full of biblical events, truth, hope, and comfort. Adding words to the Bible based on what people desire changes parts of the biblical events, which in turn changes God’s truth. Future generations will never know God’s truth, which is to set us free. History will repeat itself all over again. People will have to relive the horror. That is why the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is important. It not only protects individuals’ freedom to practice religion, but the government has no business interfering with or financing any religious group. Some may argue that it may be dangerous to practice any religion. Yes, it is a risk. The Bible mentions the danger of false teachings, but it also mentions the instruction to overcome them. Christians can discuss evolution vs. creation and other worldly issues without being censored or persecuted. They also have a chance to spread the true gospel of Jesus Christ to others.
