REVISED BIBLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22627, 15 January 1937, Page 9

REVISED BIBLE

NAZI VERSION GOSPEL OF ST. JOHN CHANGES AND OMISSIONS ANTI-JEWISH FEATURES B.v Telegraph—Press Association —-Copyright Received January 14, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN, .Tan. 13 A new version of the Gospel of St. Jolin has been issued by the Bremen group of the Nazi Minority in the Evangelical Church, who style themselves "German Christians." It is reminiscent of the German version of the Sermon on the Mount. However, it avoids the cruder faults of taste which marred that work.

Dr. Weidenwm, Evangelical Bishop of Bremen, collaborated in this version and sponsors the production. Sf. John was apparently chosen because in it, rather than in the other Gospels, tho Jews can bo made to appear more elearly as opponents of Christ. Also there is a tendency to gloss over the more mystical portions. The name of Moses has been removed and the purpose appears to bo to imply that Christ felt a. contempt for the Old Testament such as is now inculcated in the minds of modern Germans. _it is a favourite Nazi theory that Christ belonged to Teuton stock ivhich settled in parte of the Holy Land. Subtle rhnnges in the new version suggest also that the disciples were nonJews. .Jewish names such ns Elijah and Isaiah are replaced by the term "prophets."

Dr. Mueller, the lleich Bishop, on April 7 published a version of the Sermon on the Mount more in accordance with Nazi ideals in which such words as "meek" and "peaceful" were replaced by "more manly" terms. For instance, St. Matthew, chapter 5, verse 5, became: "Blessed is he who at all times is a good comrade. He will succeed in the world," The first announcement that a new Bible, more acceptable to Nazis, was being prepared was made by the Bishop of Bremen, Dr. "Weidemann, last February. A true German, he said, closed a Book that purported to give him the Laws of Moses. The translators were busy on the Gospel of St. John as the gate to the Bible. As Nazis they were attracted to it because in it the bearers of the Divine message stood in an embittered fight against the Jewish people. It would open a way to the Bible to those who no longer felt a desire for it.

The reading of the verse from St. Matthew qyoted above is: "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."