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Zondervan Defends New Study Bible Amid Criticism of DEI Themes

Mr Zondervan's new NIV Upside Down Study Bible has sparked concern from Christian and conservative advocacy group One Million Moms, who are calling for a boycott of the publication citing “awake concerns”.

“Zondervan's latest NIV study Bible is different from other Bibles in that it includes elements of theological and gender diversity, which is why Christians know it could be called the DEI Bible. (DEI is an acronym for diversity, equity, and inclusion),” One Million Mothers said in the book. petition It was released earlier this month.

“One of Zondervan’s newest publications is The Upside Down Kingdom Bible: Think Deeply, Love Widely.”However, this is considered an upside-down theology because it includes an interpretation of the Bible from a woke mindset. It can be explained more precisely from a cultural and sexual perspective.

As explained in Amazon“The Upside-Down Kingdom Bible” includes hundreds of side columns, full-page articles, and other topics that skillfully and thoughtfully address topics such as race and ethnicity, care for creation, science, abortion, wealth and poverty, and gender. Contains essays and book introductions. and sexuality, politics, baptism, technology, etc. ”

preston sprinklespresident of Center for Faith, Sexuality and Gender CFSG, a Christian organization focused on issues of 'faith and LGBT+ inclusivity', served as the general editor of this publication, with contributions from scholars and leaders from a variety of denominations and theological backgrounds .

Not the Bee I have published some posts from Woke Preacher Clips. The clip featured several clips from interviews Sprinkle conducted with some of the contributing scholars.

“One of the values ​​that was incorporated into the Study Bible was diversity: ethnic diversity, gender diversity, denominational diversity, theological diversity…” said Contributor Joey Dodson, Associate Professor of New Testament at Denver Theological Seminary.

Dodson described it as a “huge burden” for multicultural churches.

“The voice of God is not one color, one nation, one gender. god is spirit So we need to hear those (diverse) voices again and again and again …exegesis best made in the community and that's the best in a diverse community,” he argued.

Additionally, Dodson said she loves the Gospel of Luke. of that altitude Because it deals with “church trauma.”

Sprinkle also hosted an interview with Jill Firth, a lecturer in Hebrew and Old Testament at Ridley University in Melbourne, Australia. she claimed She says she doesn't believe in the women who appear in the Old Testament.

“I don't think there are any submissive women in the Old Testament, for example,” Firth said. “I have not said anything about the New Testament, but In the Old Testament, There is a complete difference. ”

neither does she recommend of book Ezra, Nehemiah, and Ecclesiastes for Women's Bible Study There is “There are not many women among them.

“And when they're doing that, there's not much fun happening for them, Firth added.

In response to the backlash, Zondervan asserted that the Upside Down Kingdom Bible and its contributing scholars are committed to defending the beliefs of evangelical Christianity.

“The Upside Down Kingdom Bible is a new tool to captivate Christians” Who are you? Seeking Biblical answers to today's tough questions, Mr. Zondervan said: christian post.

“As with our standard study Bibles, we have contributions from multiple Bible scholars with credible qualifications and expertise in their fields of study. All contributors hold the authority of the Bible; Its contents are completely overhauled To ensure that it is within the beliefs of evangelical Christianity. ”

zondervan Previously Publication of the NIV Bible, revised in 2011 to include gender-neutral language, faced criticism from conservative Christians such as the Council for Biblical Manhood and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Photo courtesy: ©X/wake preacher clip


Milton Quintanilla Freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributor to CrosswalkHeadlines and host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast dedicated to sound doctrine and Biblical truth. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Alliance Theological Seminary.

First publication date is January 20, 2025.

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