KFLCC / New Age Bible Versions - Gail Riplinger

The title 'the Virgin' has been applied to the goddesses of the Canaanites (Astarte and Ashtoreth), the Babylonians (Rhea or Semiramis), the Egyptians (Isis), the Hindus (Isi, Kanyabava, Trigana), the Romans (mother of Romulus and Remus), and the Greco-Roman goddesses Ceres, Hestis, Vesta, Diana, Artemis, Demeter, and Cybele. For this reason, new versions omit a phrase in Luke 1:28 which speaks of Mary's unique position.

NIV, NASB, et al.

KJV

OMIT

Luke 1:28

blessed art thou among women

Clearly, there is a distinction between Mary, the historical mother of Jesus Christ, and this Virgin of the heathen religions. Mary was 'a virgin', as foretold in Isaiah 7:14.

Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son.

However, the use of the word as a proper name or title, as the capital "V" indicates, implies that this virginity was perpetual. Contrary to the Catholic Council of Chalcedon in A.D.451, which proclaimed Mary's perpetual virginity, the dogma can be rejected based upon the witness of all four gospels. (Matthew 12:46-49, Mark 3:31-34, Luke 8:19-21, and John 2:12), Galatians 1:19, Luke 2:7, and Matthew 1:25, the last of which is omitted in new versions.

NIV, NASB, et al.

KJV

OMIT

Matt. 1:25

firstborn

'The Virgin' of the heathens has found its way into the NIV. The capitalization of the 'V' brings out all sorts of New Age theological possibilities.