Question: You seem to bear a lot of responsibility in prejudicing Christian leaders against [Gail ...

Question: I came across a website maintained by “Dial-the-Truth Ministries” with the following critical statement concerning you and a number of others:

“The ‘profitcy’ teachers listed below are bitter critics of Gail Riplinger’s outstanding book, New Age Bible Versions. Yet, as they themselves have admitted, they never read the book! These men should be told that the Bible has a lot to say about bearing false witness. Here’s a collection of actual quotes by these ‘learned men.’

“ ‘I have not read Gail Riplinger’s book.’ Dave Hunt, The Berean Call.

“ ‘...have not read Riplinger’s book, but I trust Dave Hunt, and he says it is inaccurate.’ Peter Lalonde, This Week in Bible Prophecy.

“ ‘I have not read her book but Dave Hunt has told me that Gail Riplinger lies and cannot be trusted.’ Arno Froese, Midnight Call.

“ ‘Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.’ (Matthew:15:14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
See All...)...”

You seem to bear a lot of responsibility in prejudicing Christian leaders against a good book, yet without having ever read it! Isn’t it time to repent?

Response: The internet has become a dangerous source of misinformation. Anyone can put anything on it and somehow it seems to carry a convincing authority. I don’t even look to see what is being said about me. TBC resources are available for all Bereans to personally verify what I have said. In this case, how disappointing that a ministry called “Dial-the-Truth” would promote misinformation. Inasmuch as this particular attack is not only upon me but others who have relied upon what I have said, I’ll respond briefly. Here are the simple facts we presented in these pages some years ago (see TBC for Feb, May and Sep ’94, and Oct ’97).

Gail Riplinger sent the manuscript of her book to TBC. I phoned her to say that we don’t review manuscripts and offered to send it on to my publishers for their consideration. In the conversation I asked her what the book was about. She said it revealed that Westcott and Hort were occultists, modern translations were part of a New Age plot, etc. I replied, “If you can document that, you have done the church a great service.” When the book was published, advertising for it carried the following endorsement: “‘You have done the church a great service,’ Dave Hunt.” I objected on the grounds that I had not given such an endorsement. Riplinger claimed I had. I responded that I would never endorse a book written by someone I didn’t know and which I hadn’t even read. I had plainly told Riplinger at the time of our conversation that I had not read her manuscript.

After the book was published, I read it carefully and found many problems. There are several excellent books pointing out the serious errors in the modern translations, beginning with the two basic manuscripts from which all are taken, Sinaiticus and Vaticanus. Riplinger’s, unfortunately, is not one of them. My critiques of her book in response to questions have been based upon my careful examination of it. Just as I would not endorse a book I had not read, I would be equally irresponsible to offer specific criticisms of a book I had never read.

Yet I’m still being accused of critiquing New Age Bible Versions without having ever read it. One is almost forced to conclude that the critics are not interested in truth but in maintaining false accusations. Hopefully “Dial-the-Truth Ministries” will pull this particular piece from its website.