Truth Over Triumph: The Dangers of Apologetic Overreach in Defending the Faith
In the heat of battle for biblical truth, it’s tempting to grab any weapon at hand. Books like Alexander Hislop’s The Two Babylons and G.A. Riplinger’s New Age Bible Versions promise devastating blows against Roman Catholicism and modern Bible translations. They rally the troops with bold claims of pagan conspiracies and Satanic influences. But what if these weapons are rusted, bent, or even double-edged? Overstating the case, peddling inaccuracies, or indulging in wild speculation doesn’t just fail to persuade—it harms the very cause we cherish. Worse, it risks sinning against God’s call to truthfulness. As Christians, we must wield the sword of the Spirit with precision, not propaganda.
## The Allure and the Pitfall
Hislop’s 1858 classic argues that Roman Catholicism is a straight-line revival of ancient Babylonian paganism. The Pope? A stand-in for Nimrod. Mary? Rebranded Semiramis, the Queen of Heaven. Riplinger’s 1993 tome goes further, painting the NIV, NASB, and ESV as New Age trojan horses laced with occult terms like “Lucifer” and “holy ones,” masterminded by Freemasons and Theosophists. These books sell because they confirm suspicions and deliver shock value. Yet a closer look reveals fatal flaws: shoddy scholarship, fabricated connections, and outright errors.
Consider Hislop. He links the Catholic mitre to the fish-god Dagon and traces Lent to pagan weeping for Tammuz. Catchy? Yes. Accurate? No. Ancient sources show no Nimrod-Semiramis romance—it’s a late myth Hislop inflates. Dagon priests wore turbans, not mitres. Even Riplinger’s sympathizers cringe at her doctored quotes from Westcott and Hort, falsely tagging them as spiritists. The result? Skeptics and scholars dismiss the entire defense of the King James Bible or Traditional Text, not just the excesses.
## Biblical Warning: Truth Is Non-Negotiable
Scripture leaves no wiggle room. “You shall not bear false witness” applies universally—even against theological foes. Jesus distinguished between false accusation and righteous rebuke: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you… for My sake. But I say to you, love your enemies” . Ephesians 4:25 commands, “putting away lying,” while 1 Peter 2:1 urges us to “lay aside all malice… and slanders.”
Even when opponents err—like Critical Text advocates omitting key verses or Rome blending pagan rites—lying about them is sin. It quenches the Spirit , hardens hearts, and invites judgment. Proverbs 12:22 nails it: “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.”
## Real-World Damage: Scandals That Backfire
Overreach breeds backlash. Hislop’s etymological wordplay fools no linguist today, tainting Reformation critiques. Riplinger’s plagiarism accusations and phantom conspiracies have led former fans like Ralph Woodrow to publicly recant. Online atheists cite them as proof “KJV-only folks are nuts,” derailing serious discussions on Byzantine superiority or Jerome’s full-text manuscripts.
I’ve seen it in debates: A solid point on Mark 16’s long ending gets waved off because “You KJV guys believe Hislop’s fairy tales.” Credibility evaporates. Churches split. Seekers scoff. The gospel advances by truth’s power, not trickery .
## Better Weapons: Precision Over Polemic
We don’t need hype. Defend the Traditional Text with Burgon’s The Revision Revised, Hills’ The King James Version Defended, or Maurice Robinson’s patristic studies. Against Rome, lean on Foxe’s Book of Martyrs or primary councils—not myths. Critique modern versions? Use Aland’s own stats on Alexandrian omissions, not occult fever dreams.
Truth honors God, convicts consciences, and stands scrutiny. It even softens enemies: Speak accurately about Westcott-Hort’s liberalism, and doors open for real dialogue.
## A Call to Arms—Truthful Ones
Brothers and sisters, let’s pledge: No more overreach. Test every claim . If a book’s wrong, say so—even ours. Love demands honesty: “Even to him who is a bitter enemy to the truth… we owe the strictest courtesy” . Reclaim apologetics as holy ground. The faith once delivered deserves defenders who fight clean.
In a world drowning in fake news, let’s shine as lights—truthful, unashamed, victorious.
For further reading: Woodrow’s The Babylon Connection? , Cloud’s reviews of Riplinger, Burgon’s works.
# Truth Over Triumph: The Dangers of Apologetic Overreach in Defending the Faith
In the heat of battle for biblical truth, it’s tempting to grab any weapon at hand. Books like Alexander Hislop’s The Two Babylons and G.A. Riplinger’s New Age Bible Versions promise devastating blows against Roman Catholicism and modern Bible translations. They rally the troops with bold claims of pagan conspiracies and Satanic influences. But what if these weapons are rusted, bent, or even double-edged? Overstating the case, peddling inaccuracies, or indulging in wild speculation doesn’t just fail to persuade—it harms the very cause we cherish. Worse, it risks sinning against God’s call to truthfulness. As Christians, we must wield the sword of the Spirit with precision, not propaganda.
## The Allure and the Pitfall
Hislop’s 1858 classic argues that Roman Catholicism is a straight-line revival of ancient Babylonian paganism. The Pope? A stand-in for Nimrod. Mary? Rebranded Semiramis, the Queen of Heaven. Riplinger’s 1993 tome goes further, painting the NIV, NASB, and ESV as New Age trojan horses laced with occult terms like “Lucifer” and “holy ones,” masterminded by Freemasons and Theosophists. These books sell because they confirm suspicions and deliver shock value. Yet a closer look reveals fatal flaws: shoddy scholarship, fabricated connections, and outright errors.
Consider Hislop. He links the Catholic mitre to the fish-god Dagon and traces Lent to pagan weeping for Tammuz. Catchy? Yes. Accurate? No. Ancient sources show no Nimrod-Semiramis romance—it’s a late myth Hislop inflates. Dagon priests wore turbans, not mitres. Even Riplinger’s sympathizers cringe at her doctored quotes from Westcott and Hort, falsely tagging them as spiritists. The result? Skeptics and scholars dismiss the entire defense of the King James Bible or Traditional Text, not just the excesses.
## Biblical Warning: Truth Is Non-Negotiable
Scripture leaves no wiggle room. “You shall not bear false witness” applies universally—even against theological foes. Jesus distinguished between false accusation and righteous rebuke: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you… for My sake. But I say to you, love your enemies” . Ephesians 4:25 commands, “putting away lying,” while 1 Peter 2:1 urges us to “lay aside all malice… and slanders.”
Even when opponents err—like Critical Text advocates omitting key verses or Rome blending pagan rites—lying about them is sin. It quenches the Spirit , hardens hearts, and invites judgment. Proverbs 12:22 nails it: “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.”
## Real-World Damage: Scandals That Backfire
Overreach breeds backlash. Hislop’s etymological wordplay fools no linguist today, tainting Reformation critiques. Riplinger’s plagiarism accusations and phantom conspiracies have led former fans like Ralph Woodrow to publicly recant. Online atheists cite them as proof “KJV-only folks are nuts,” derailing serious discussions on Byzantine superiority or Jerome’s full-text manuscripts.
I’ve seen it in debates: A solid point on Mark 16’s long ending gets waved off because “You KJV guys believe Hislop’s fairy tales.” Credibility evaporates. Churches split. Seekers scoff. The gospel advances by truth’s power, not trickery .
## Better Weapons: Precision Over Polemic
We don’t need hype. Defend the Traditional Text with Burgon’s The Revision Revised, Hills’ The King James Version Defended, or Maurice Robinson’s patristic studies. Against Rome, lean on Foxe’s Book of Martyrs or primary councils—not myths. Critique modern versions? Use Aland’s own stats on Alexandrian omissions, not occult fever dreams.
Truth honors God, convicts consciences, and stands scrutiny. It even softens enemies: Speak accurately about Westcott-Hort’s liberalism, and doors open for real dialogue.
## A Call to Arms—Truthful Ones
Brothers and sisters, let’s pledge: No more overreach. Test every claim . If a book’s wrong, say so—even ours. Love demands honesty: “Even to him who is a bitter enemy to the truth… we owe the strictest courtesy” . Reclaim apologetics as holy ground. The faith once delivered deserves defenders who fight clean.
In a world drowning in fake news, let’s shine as lights—truthful, unashamed, victorious.
February 26, 2020
trailreeves
i12go4God 