Forthcoming “Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible” Perpetuates Original Deception

MAN SAYS: [with TBC comments in brackets]

"A Narrative Passed Down"

From the "Introduction to Genesis" by Agnes Norfleet, in the forthcoming "Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible" edited by Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Thomas Oden, Eugene Petersen, and Walter Brueggemann. The book is scheduled for a May release from Harper Collins, the parent company of Zondervan, both owned by publishing magnate Rupert Murdoch.

"Genesis began as an oral tradition of narrative stories passed down from generation to generation in the early community of faith. [Oral "tradition"? "Community" of faith?] As with all family history the people of Israel grew to understand who they were, and who they were in relationship to God, by the stories that were told. As these stories were remembered, and retold again and again, they preserved Israel's religious heritage. [How is a true heritage preserved by "stories" of oral tradition?] Heroes and heroines grew large in the imagination of retelling, ["Grew large"? So Scripture is inflated in the same manner as mythology?] and these stories took on theological meaning and significance. [More "stories"? "Took on"? So much for Divine authorship!]

"Certain traditions associated with particular matriarchs and patriarchs centered at places of worship. The stories of Abraham and Sarah were remembered first at Hebron, Isaac and Rachel at Beer-sheba, and Jacob and Rachel at Bethel. Gradually families gathered as clans and tribes for festival worship and covenant renewal ceremonies ["gradually"? What of God's law?] and these sacred family narratives came to be shared in common. ["shared sacred narratives"? What of "God-breathed"?] Over time what began as stories told of the founding families of the People of God were written down and collected together (Genesis 12-50), and a prologue (Genesis 1-11) was added to affirm the foundation of Israel's beginnings in the larger cosmic order of creation."

[How comforting that according to Agnes Norfleet and Renovaré, that our Renovaré Bible" is no more inspired of God than any pagan "narrative" literature.]

GOD SAYS:

"From childhood you have known the sacred writings [Old Testament Scripture] which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God [literally, "God-breathed" and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy:3:15-17 [15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
See All...); "Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers..." (Acts:28:25And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
See All...b). "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (1 Peter:1:21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
See All...); "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds" (Hebrews:1:1-2 [1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, [2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
See All...).

[TBC: Jesus himself said "have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying..." (Matthew:22:31But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
See All...) and repeatedly affirmed "it is written." By contrast, Satan first deceived humanity by questioning the Word of God: "yea, hath God said?" In the same manner, the pseudo-scholars of Renovaré, who equate the Word of God with oral traditions of men and mythology are perpetuating the same lie. Scripture repeatedly warns against following the "tradition" of men: see Matthew:15:3-6 [3] But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? [4] For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. [5] But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; [6] And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
See All...; Mark:7:8-9 [8] For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. [9] And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
See All...; "making the word of God of none effect through your tradition..." (Mark 7:13); "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians:2:8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
See All...); and 1 Peter 1:18.]