An antichristian group on the Internet has dedicated themselves to use the Old Testament to attack Christianity.  All of their posts are designed to denigrate Christianity and its teachings.  I do not spend time reading their writings, but a recent post deserves a reply.

On a post dated December 29, 2005, a post that includes a discussion of Deuteronomy 13:1, the author of the post wrote:

You know what’s even more weird? The translations by jewish sources have something else to say that seems to have been omitted by all christian translations I have ever seen!

“Be careful to observe only that which I enjoin upon you: neither add to it nor take away from it.”

A verse condemning omittions and additions OMMITTED?! But WHY? Maybe because this little verse would be a big blow to christianity. According to one source, the Old testament contains not only the 24 of the books included in the Tanakh, the so called “jewish bible.” BUT also certain deuterocanonical books! And have added passages to ESTHER AND DANIEL! So what’s up? Add scripture then cover your tracks by omitting the law condemning it? Very deceptive! (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible)

Protestants noticed this problem and OMITTED the additions (Very good!) but it appears this verse I mentioned STILL isn’t in the KJV!

The quote above is taken verbatim from their blog. To read the whole blog, click here.

The quote above demonstrates a big weakness in the argument of these antichristians: their knowledge of the Bible is second hand knowledge.  Had these people known the Bible, they would discover that the verse they claim Christians omitted from the Bible is still in the Bible, but not at the place they thought it should be.

It order to point an accusing finger at Christians, they quote a Jewish source to say Christians conveniently omitted Deuteronomy 13:1 from the Bible in order to justify the addition of the New Testament to the Hebrew Bible.  What they do not know is that they are quoting Deuteronomy 13:1 from the Hebrew Bible.

At times, the versification in the Hebrew Bible and the versification in English Bibles differ and this is the case here.  Deuteronomy 13:1 in the Hebrew Bible is Deuteronomy 12:32 in the English Bible.  So, the verse has not been omitted, it is still there.

Christians are not afraid to say that the New Testament is canonical Scriptures.  Christians do not have to omit Deuteronomy 13:1 from the Bible to justify the validity of the New Testament.  Christians believe that the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christians Scriptures form a collection of writings that is authoritative for their faith and practice.

Claude F. Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary