I had never heard of Jennifer Knapp until a few weeks ago when she “came out.” I don’t know what she looks like and couldn’t tell you anything about her music. But I can tell you she’s got some serious problems with the Bible.
She recently appeared on Larry King to promote herself debate the issue of homosexuality with a preacher who seemed to be sound in the faith and Ted Haggard. Here’s what she had to say:
Well, I think there is plenty of evidence in my exploration of my faith through the sacred text of the Holy Bible that I have definitely recognized that we are somewhat at the handicap of our own interpretation of a sacred text.
In case you were handicapped by your own interpretation of her speech there, I think she said that some of us are wrong about what the Bible says and it really bothers her. The article on the Christian Post summed it up like this:
During her appearance on CNN’s Larry King Live on Friday, Knapp pointed out that believers rely on a text that is not in the original language. She said scholars have questioned the interpretation of the original Greek words that have been translated to homosexuality.
Though acknowledging that she is by no means a scholar or theologian, Knapp brought up the Bible translation issue to challenge those who cite the Bible as stating that homosexuality is a sin.
Yes. That’s what I thought she would say. I’m surprised she didn’t say anything about the original Hebrew. But then again, I might be handicapped by my interpretation.
So, see how you might interpret Leviticus 18 and who you’re supposed to have sex with:
6 ” ‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.
7 ” ‘Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.
8 ” ‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.
9 ” ‘Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.
10 ” ‘Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you.
11 ” ‘Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister.
12 ” ‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.
13 ” ‘Do not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s close relative.
14 ” ‘Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.
15 ” ‘Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.
16 ” ‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.
17 ” ‘Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.
18 ” ‘Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.
19 ” ‘Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period.
20 ” ‘Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her.
21 ” ‘Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
22 ” ‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
23 ” ‘Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.
Wow, that’s a whole lot rules about a whole lot of people (and animals) with whom you’re not supposed to have sex. Also, there’s the prohibition of child sacrifice thrown in for good measure. Most of this could be summed up in the Seventh Commandment, which says not to commit adultery. But just in case you are handicapped by your interpretation, it seems God has gone into embarrassing details just to make sure this doesn’t happen.
Currently there are several different editions available from Volume 6 of John Owen’s Works. Volume 6 deals with sin and how to go about killing it. It is a totally different take than what you might find today in a typical “Christian” bookstore, or on “Christian” radio. So it’s worth taking a look at these just for that. Books like The Mortification of Sin, Overcoming Sin and Temptation, Triumph Over Temptation, and Temptation: Resisted and Repulsed, are modernized for today’s readers and well worth your time.
Dr. Henry Edward Roberts, who designed the Altair 8800 credited with being the world’s first personal computer, died in Georgia at age 68, according to reports.
