A Radical Message

By Christine Wilson 11.15.06

Some people say the Bible has holes in its message. Time to Turn, a group of Christian students, proves them right. Sort of.

The Western Bible, created by Time to Turn in Utrecht,The Netherlands, purposely offends Christians by omitting scripture that deals with economic justice, and possessions, and money.

“We wanted people to get angry at the Western Bible, therefore we tried to be the devil's advocate and act out what's happening around us,” said Frank Mulder, chairman of the core team at Time to Turn. “It's not funny to throw half the gospel away. At least we should never accept it when someone does that. And that's exactly what we wanted to show.”

Time to Turn hopes this bible will help Christians become more genuine in their religious activities. For example, one of the passages removed is Isaiah 58. The passage is about people who fast and pray routinely, but rarely see results from God.

“That's pretty much like our times. We pray in our churches for a revival, but people don't seem to change,” Mulder said. “What is the problem according to Isaiah? We have to fast in a different way: feed the hungry, pay the workers a fair wage. Then we will see God and He will be our light.”

Charles Phillips, youth pastor of Tabernacle Church in Laurel, Maryland, believes the Western Bible says to people what Jesus said to the Pharisees and Sadducees. Looking good on the outside is fine, but a relationship with Christ is more important, according to Phillips.

“You are pointing out to them their religion and lack of true relationship,” Phillips said.

Phillips said the Western Bible’s sarcastic approach will also reach people who would otherwise ignore those who share Christ. He said the Western Bible will catch people off guard, particularly if they have seen traditional witnessing pamphlets called tracts.

“We must constantly seek to snag that individual who has seen the gospel presented but has rejected [it],” Phillips said. “If you get one soul saved through this method, or one soul who was walking running for Jesus, then bless God.”

Mulder assures people that the Western Bible is not a political movement, but a statement of faith. He hopes the Western Bible will encourage people to look past their materialist ways.

“The strategy of materialism is to blind us, and to lull us asleep. We’re trying to use humor to break through this wall without blaming people or making them feel guilty,” Mulder said. Jesus and the prophets also used parables and paradoxes to show what's happening. One prophet even ate a scroll. I don't think that was a traditional means of preaching.”