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Thoughts on the BCTAF

Published by bryan | Filed under journal entries

April 11th

A recent campaign by the the “Biblical Clarification Through Amendment Foundation” is catching on, and some of you have heard about it. I’m not exactly sure how they are doing what they are doing, but wanted to comment because I’m getting a number of people asking me how I feel when I travel and speak. Essentially, the BCTAF is being spearheaded by Christian leaders and is wanting to add three verses to Scripture to clarify misconceptions and confusion about debates within Evangelical churchdom. The three issues BCTAF are pushing forward regard the way in which we aide the poor, regional church priorities and drinking alcohol. It’s an odd beginning, but it is true these are three issues causing a great deal of debate, so I understand why they want to tackle these issues first.

The proposal from the “Biblical Clarification Through Amendment Foundation” is as such:

1. To the end of the Gospel of John BCTAF wants to add the verse “The poor should be aided by the church indirectly through free market principles.”

Not exactly vague, BCTAF is applying George Guilders trickle-down economic theory (some of you will recognize this as Reaganomics). While it’s true charity often enables people, keeping them in a victim mindset, I feel Jesus wants us to help the poor directly, not only for them, but for us. This action does something within our own hearts. In addition, on a global scale, it could be argued that free market principles truly help those within a free-market system, but in other countries, where dictators reign supreme, these principles translate into forced slave labor. I just don’t think we can add this verse.

2. To the end of the book of Corinthians One, BCTAF would like to add the verse “Consumption of alcohol, including communion wine, is a sin.”

While I have friends who’ve abused alcohol, I also think adding this verse takes away from the idea of liberty. There is no Biblical argument against alcohol, save “don’t be given to wine” and a proverb or two stating the same. Still, many Christians elevate this caution to absolutes, believing God forgot to mention this more harshly. I’ve even heard an argument that the “water” was bad in Biblical times, so people drank wine instead. This is hard to imagine. Christ asks us specifically to drink wine in remembrance of Him, refers to new wine being poured into new wineskins, speaks of the process of making wine in parables, calling Himself the vine itself. I suspect Jesus wants us to understand and have control over this dynamic rather than run from it. That said, Alcoholism is a serious problem, and if somebody has the allergy that causes them trouble in this area, they need to take responsibility for themselves and not be an idiot. It’s bad stuff in the wrong hands. Still, I’m not sure we should add this to the text, just to end a debate.

3. To the end of the Gospel of Acts, the BCTAF would like to add “Citizens of countries must concern themselves with the needs of people in this order 1. Christians in their own country 2. Christians abroad and 3. Pagans”

I disagree with the addition of this verse entirely, especially as Americans, where we as a church could end the AIDS pandemic in Africa within a short period of time. We have so much, as a country, and should consider those in the most need first, regardless of whether they are “one of us” or not.

In all, I think the BCTAF is out of line. We don’t need to add verses to the text, we need to live by the text God has given us, whether we like it or not. At least this crowd is finally out in the open with these ideas, rather than “judging” people by them, making them feel fear as though these ideas were actually listed in the text. But I have serious concerns with anybody who wants to change the text to fit their agenda, even if they believe their agenda is good or right.

I find it interesting that I’m often pressured by my friends on the left to take verses out of the Bible, and am pressured by my friends on the right to add verses TO the text. I think both are inappropriate.

So here’s an idea. I say we start a new kind of fundamentalism, a group of people who don’t take away from or add to the text, but just read it and obey God.

So, those are my initial thoughts regarding BCTAF. I hope everybody is well……
Don

April 12th, 2006


18 Responses to “Thoughts on the BCTAF”

  1. Chris Meggs Says:
    April 12th, 2006 at 1:27 pm

    Here’s a thought,question, to ponder…what would the BCTAF think about these so-called new found gospels that have been found over the years, i.e. the Judas gospel, Mary gospel, etc? If they are not willing to allow such literature, then why should they be allowed to amend the Bible to clarify, simply by tacking on verses to the end of a gospel. I am not saying that the Gospel of Mary or Judas should be added. I’m simply asking, are the BCTAF members the same ones who argue against the addition of such gospels. And if so, then how do they see it just to add verses to the current gospels? Just thought I’d ask.

    Thanks for sharing Don! I hadn’t heard about the BCTAF.

  2. dave Says:
    April 12th, 2006 at 2:12 pm

    I think this might be a delayed April Fools joke on Don’s part. I don’t see how that could be true. If it is than that’s just unbelieveable.

  3. chadgibbs Says:
    April 12th, 2006 at 2:18 pm

    Don,

    Where can I get a BCTAF t-shirt?

    Thanks,

  4. Ragamuffin Says:
    April 12th, 2006 at 4:20 pm

    That’s hilarious. I think that organization started at my old church back home.

  5. B Jordan Says:
    April 12th, 2006 at 4:55 pm

    I think someone’s yanking our collective chain. ;0)

    no way that is legit.

    (is it?)

  6. Chris Meggs Says:
    April 12th, 2006 at 5:25 pm

    Dave,

    You may be right. He did say he didn’t have time to think one up before going to Nashville on the 1st. And if so, then I just swallowed that one hook, line and sinker. Glad to know I have a gullable side from time to time.

  7. glen. Says:
    April 13th, 2006 at 3:14 am

    wait, uh, he is kidding, right? or is he embelishing to make a point?

  8. chadgibbs Says:
    April 13th, 2006 at 8:44 am

    No Glen, this is very real, and you need to get on board before the BCTAF train leaves the station. CHOO CHOOO!

    :-)

  9. Angela Says:
    April 13th, 2006 at 8:45 am

    I was a slow kid, and it always took me a day or two after April fool’s to think of a joke. I think , and I pray, that this too, is a problem shared by Don.
    And just to clarify a point that I read on the page about asking Don questions, I’m pretty sure poop monkeys can’t breath fire.

  10. loretta Says:
    April 13th, 2006 at 11:27 am

    april fool’s or not, i believe that people would want to do this. i know these people, share communion with these people, and love these people but i certainly cannot begin to understand the ignorance that it requires to believe that we have the authority to add anything so concrete and binding to the scriptures.
    the scriptures can be both very clear and very vague and i hope and believe this is in order that we can become, in christ, who we were created to be. it is pretty clear for example that we are to care for the poor, the fatherless, the widow, the children - essentially the marginalized people of our world. and don says it best when he says “directly.”
    what kind of world do we live in that people are looking for biblical authority to live out their poor doctrines, their selfishness and their condemnations. it’s sick, and it’s true, that it is happening whether the BCTAF is a big april fools joke or not.

  11. Matt Says:
    April 13th, 2006 at 11:44 am

    This IS a joke, right?

  12. angela w. Says:
    April 14th, 2006 at 1:47 pm

    hahahahaha….. this makes me laugh. happy easter everyone.

  13. jasona Says:
    April 23rd, 2006 at 7:49 pm

    i couldn’t believe what these folks are lobbying for in conjunction with Revelation 22:18, which may be in reference to just the book of Revelation but what if it was intended for the Bible as a whole. what a bummer that would be.

  14. SuperDad427 Says:
    April 24th, 2006 at 1:15 am

    IMHO, if we consider this logically, Rev 22:18 can be viewed in one of two contexts.
    (1) As written by John (or his scribe) to refer only to that text and that text only.
    (2) As written by John (or his scribe) to refer to tne entire text of scripture.

    Many arguments can be made for either (1) or (2). I am not going to make either argument since doing so would not really help the issue.
    However what I will say is this: If (2) is correct, and the very form of God’s word is altered, those who perform the alteration will suffer plagues.
    So unless one can prove with 100% causality that (1) is actually the case, why take the risk? In this case, the it’s attitude of the heart matters most, in that we need to have faith that what God has provided to us in scripture rings true and does not need modification. We’re the ones who need modification (by the Holy Spirit).

    That being said, I think was a terrific hoax. Why? Because it’s causing all of us to think about issues that really matter today…

    God be with you!

    -SuperDad427

  15. Tim Says:
    April 24th, 2006 at 11:36 am

    “Joe” sure sounds a lot like Don. A very nice piece of satire:

    http://www.drewmarshall.ca/audio/060415satire.mp3

    Nice work!

  16. [donmillerfans.net] » the BCTAF still in the news… Says:
    April 24th, 2006 at 2:17 pm

    [...] You might remember Don’s journal entry on the BCTAF from a few weeks ago… [...]

  17. bryan Says:
    April 24th, 2006 at 2:24 pm

    thanks for the heads up tim!

  18. Tim Says:
    April 24th, 2006 at 4:19 pm

    You are very welcome, Bryan!

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