A Sobering Alarm Bell
Few books in recent decades have struck the Church with as loud a warning as Gail Riplinger’s New Age Bible Versions. First published in 1993, this meticulously documented volume reveals a coordinated departure from doctrinal truth through modern Bible translations. Riplinger, an academic with an eye for spiritual detail, compares over 100 modern translations—primarily the NIV, NASB, and others—to the King James Bible, exposing the removal, rewording, and dilution of thousands of critical phrases and verses.
This is not a book about translation preferences. It is about spiritual warfare. It is about the war on the Word of God.
What This Book Uncovers
1. The Downgrading of Christ
Riplinger documents the systematic removal of Christ’s titles, His divinity, and even His name from key verses.
Example: KJV (Daniel 3:25): “…the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
NIV, ESV: “…like a son of the gods.”
A subtle change? No — a doctrinal demolition.
2. The Removal of ‘Holy’
Riplinger notes how “holy” is stripped from men, angels, prophets, and even from the phrase “Holy Ghost.” This is not accidental. It obscures the character of God and the sacredness of Scripture itself.
3. Altered Salvation Verses
Many verses that clearly define salvation by grace through faith are reworded to sound ambiguous, works-based, or mystic. Words like blood, repentance, and hell are often diminished or removed.
4. New Age Parallels
Riplinger traces how the same phrases found in occult and New Age literature appear—word for word—in the footnotes and text of modern translations. This is not coincidental. It is part of what she terms the Luciferian counterfeit.
5. The Spirit Behind the Translations
Riplinger exposes the spiritual and philosophical backgrounds of the men behind the new texts, such as Westcott and Hort, showing their involvement in occultism and disdain for biblical Christianity.
Why This Book Still Matters Today
In an age of rising apostasy, New Age Bible Versions is more relevant than ever. What began with subtle footnote shifts in the 1880s has grown into full-scale doctrinal erosion. Christians are now reading “Bibles” that:
– Remove Christ’s deity
– Change the gospel message
– Replace the fear of God with emotional self-affirmation
– Prepare the world for a one-world religion
This book is not for the faint of heart. It is dense, heavily footnoted, and at times overwhelming in scope — but necessary for any believer who values truth.
Strengths and Warnings
Strengths:
– Vast documentation across hundreds of verses
– Detailed side-by-side comparisons
– Historical background on translators
– Exposes spiritual roots of translation corruption
A Word of Balance:
Some critics accuse the book of being too passionate or sensational. Yet, in the face of eternal truth, a lack of passion would be more concerning. Riplinger’s tone is urgent because the stakes are eternal. This is not a work of academic neutrality; it is a call to arms.
A Book That Demands a Response
You will not walk away from this book neutral. Either you will be stirred to return to the preserved Word of God — or you will dismiss it and continue with a diluted gospel. But as Paul said, “We are not as many, which corrupt the word of God…” (2 Corinthians 2:17).
New Age Bible Versions is a trumpet blast in the night. The only question is: Will we awaken?
Final Recommendation
Highly recommended for:
– Pastors
– Christian teachers
– Students of Scripture
– Anyone concerned about the purity of the Word of God
Where to Start:
Begin with Riplinger’s chapter on “The Mandate: Infiltrate” and her charts comparing KJV to modern versions. You’ll never read your Bible the same again.
See the book review for “In Awe of God’s Word”
Review New Age Bible Tracts for yourself to see what the dire concerns are.