1946: The Movie Being Crafted to Shift — and Mislead — a Culture, Part 2

Despite Scripture’s clear teaching, I’m afraid many people will be misled by this film. It’s ironic that the trailer quotes the 21-year-old seminary student warning the RSV translators, “Misinformed and misguided people may use the RSV translation of 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 as a sacred weapon.” The real problem is that this film will misguide and misinform people by casting doubt on the univocal voice of Scripture and 2,000 years of church teaching on the matters of sex, marriage, and homosexuality.
—Stand to Reason’s Alan Shlemon, writing about the upcoming movie 1946—

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Key points: Homosexuality — all forms of it — stand contrary to God’s designs for 1) male and female human bodies, 2) human relationships, and 3) society in general. While a great deal of evidence exists that the translators of the RSV did not mistranslate 1 Corinthians 6:9 by when they used the English word homosexuals, we actually need to look no further than God’s design for humanity, which He revealed clearly at the dawn of creation, to know that all forms of homosexual activity oppose that design, and therefore are sinful.

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All the articles in this series are available on this page. Note: With the title of this series, we are not necessarily saying that the people working to produce 1946 are intentionally trying to mislead people; it could be that they are deceived themselves.

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Last time we began discussing an upcoming movie titled 1946. The film is named for the year the New Testament of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible (RSV) was initially published. The narrative those involved in producing the film are trying to advance is this: The word homosexuality is a modern word. When the translators of the Revised Standard Version translated 1 Corinthians 6:9, they took the Greek words that previously had been translated in the King James Version (KJV) as

• • • “effeminate” (μαλακός, transliteration: malakos) and
    • “abusers of themselves with mankind” (ἀρσενοκοίτης, transliteration: arsenokoitēs) 

and rendered them “homosexuals.” This, claims the documentary, was a mistranslation that ignited an anti-gay movement in the church, and even in the culture. Despite strong evidence to the contrary, the assumption is that the church had had no prior basis for calling homosexuality a sin. Watch the trailer and see for yourself.

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Since the publication of this article, the above trailer has been replaced.
Here is the new trailer:

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As we noted in part 1, to ascertain what the Scripture says and means, becoming familiar with the words of the biblical text and their meanings is of primary importance.

Here is the text of this verse in each translation.

• • • KJV: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind….shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
    • 1949 RSV: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,^j….will inherit the kingdom of God.” The footnote, as we indicated last time, stated, “^jTwo Greek words are rendered by this expression.” The two Greek words are μαλακός (transliteration: malakos) and ἀρσενοκοίτης, transliteration: arsenokoitēs, the term Paul coined by bringing together two words meaning “men” and “bed” ).

Examining arsenokoitēs in detail, we noted that this term has an unavoidably broad meaning. Even though the film’s researchers, Ed Oxford and Kathy Baldock, contend that “those who practice homosexual vices” is a better translation than “homosexuals,” the strict meaning of arsenokoitēs contradicts this idea. Drawing on what we said last time, let’s put it another way. While the term “includes what…Oxford and…Baldock would call ‘abusive homosexual relationships,’ it does not hone in on those exclusively. The apostle was referring to all homosexuals in all kinds of homosexual relationships.”

Malakos: Effeminate Men

Having taken note of the strict meaning of arsenokoitēs, we are compelled to examine another word Paul used — μαλακός (transliteration: malakos), which is translated as “effeminate” in 1 Corinthians 6:9 in the KJV (also go here). Astute observers will readily notice a difference between `1 Corinthians 6:9 in the KJV and the same verse in the 1949 RSV New Testament. Whereas the translators of the RSV meant for the English term “homosexuals” to represent both malakos and arsenokoitēs, the translators of the KJV treated these words separately, translating malakos as “effeminate” and arsenokoitēs as “abusers of themselves with mankind.”

Ed Oxford, Kathy Baldock, and others working on 1946 contend that a mistranslation of 1 Corinthians 6:9 occurred. I agree that one did, but the one to which I refer here doesn’t involve the use of the English word homosexuals. That was not a mistranslation at all. The error was combining malakos with arsenokoitēs and treating these two terms as encompassing homosexuality, with malakos representing the passive partner in the homosexual sex act and arsenokoitēs the active one. This is an error that has bled over into a multitude of modern English Bible translations; here are five. The 1995 edition of the New American Standard Bible is an exception; it retains he term effeminate. However, a subsequent revision of the NASB released in 2020 does make this same mistake.

Earlier we talked about how forcing a narrow interpretation on a word with a broad meaning can be problematic. This is similar to the kind of mistake we are highlighting with regard to malakos. It was not necessary for Paul to use two separate words to refer to homosexuality; the term he coined, arsenokoitēs, does that, and it encompasses all forms and scenarios of sex between same-sex partners — including prostitution, rape, pedophilia, pederasty, and consensual sex between partners who are “committed” to each other. Malakos means “soft men,” and it refers to men who don’t embrace their God-given masculinity but instead reject it and take on the mannerisms and characteristics of women. Thus, while there readily can be a positive correlation between “soft men” and homosexuality, a man does not have to engage in homosexual sex to be guilty of being “soft.” Soft men reject God’s good design, and this is why it is sinful

• • • for men to shun their duties as men and instead be “soft” or feminine, and correspondingly, by implication,
    • for women to be, or to try to be, masculine as a pattern or way of life.

God Created Them Male and Female

Your biological sex determines your identity as a male or a female, a man or a woman. Trying to change this through mannerisms, habits, or by taking more drastic measures means participating in a lie that inevitably will lead to a dead end. Hear one woman’s courageous statement of regret on this issue.

The good news is that God forgives. Hear another woman’s story of taking the road of transgenderism, hitting a dead end, repenting, and finally embracing the identity God intended from the beginning (here and here).

Generally speaking, God created men to be strong, and women to be nurturing. This does not mean that men necessarily violate their masculinity when they are compassionate or emotional; nor does it mean that women cannot ever effectively lead. However, it does mean that rejecting one’s maleness or femaleness and the inherent traits that ought to accompany it is sinful.

This point is worth reiterating. Your biological sex is part of who you are, and it represents God’s design for you. To reject your identity as a male or female, a man or woman, as determined by your biological sex, is to reject God’s intention and design. (The concept of divine design is so important we will consider it next.) Especially in light of God’s design for the sexes and Paul’s direct use of the term malakos, this term should be authentically represented in modern English Bibles. In other words, the translation “effeminate” should be retained.” Sadly, this has not happened. Here is a brief discussion of the importance of accepting one’s own biological sex and cooperating with it, and even thanking God for it, regularly.

Divine Design

Now, let’s give careful attention to the concept of divine design. Ed Oxford, Kathy Baldock, and the rest of the team involved in producing 1946 are making the case that homosexuality in and of itself isn’t sinful, and they’re doing this against the backdrop of God’s clear intentions for humanity, intentions that point unwaveringly in the opposite direction!

Mark it down. God’s intentions exclude homosexuality, because homosexuality violates His design. His design, which is flawless, is presented unambiguously in Genesis 1:26-28 and echoed and affirmed by Jesus in Matthew 19:3-12 and Mark 10:2-12¹ (see this article). Further, God’s design is reiterated by Paul in the apostle’s statements condemning 1) homosexuality and 2) the worship of creation by those who have rejected the Creator, despite the knowledge of Him that creation reveals. Yes, other sins are involved, but homosexuality is undeniably a part of the mix. Paul’s inspired statements are found in Romans 1:18-32. We examined these verses previously in this article.

Until you have an opportunity to study these passages in light of the insights in the articles cited, consider carefully Genesis 1:26-28:

²⁶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

 

Also, read Paul’s words of warning in Romans 1:18-32.

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

¹⁹ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

²⁰ For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

²¹ Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

²² Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

²³ And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

²⁴ Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

²⁵ Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

²⁶ For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

²⁷ And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

²⁹ Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

³⁰ Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

³¹ Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

³² Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

While we don’t know everything about God we need to know from His creation alone, we know enough to conclude with confidence that He exists. We also know about “even his eternal power and Godhead,” and we know to an extent that makes us “without excuse.” Further, simply by observing the realities around us, we can readily see that God’s plan for humanity includes some things and excludes others. Some things are self-evident. God made them that way.

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Some things are self-evident. God made them that way.

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God’s design for humanity involves marriage, reproduction, parenting by both men and women — fathers and mothers (also go here) — and rearing children to become healthy adults and productive members of society. This not to say that everyone must marry. It is to say that marriage and the family are essential to healthy societies and are inseparable elements in God’s flawless design, a design with which homosexuality is incompatible.

Homosexuality: Inherently Abusive and Sinful

Earlier we indicated that Ed Oxford Kathy Baldock, and their colleagues working on 1946 are contending that Paul wasn’t saying in 1 Corinthians 6:9 that all homosexuals could not inherit God’s kingdom, just those who engage in abusive homosexuality. Oxford and Baldock are wrong! In light of these passages from Genesis and Romans, we are compelled to conclude that all homosexuality is abusive. It abuses the bodies God gave us by using them in ways contrary to His good intentions, His perfect design. Hear social researcher Glenn Stanton of Focus on the Family. He puts it politely in this warning.

One of the key reasons for the significant risk of disease and physical trauma associated with homosexuality is due to the design of human anatomy and how this anatomy is misused during homosexual sex. The bodies of two individuals who are of the same sex are not designed to be united sexually. Homosexual activity misuses parts of the body that produce no natural secretions to protect against infection and that are designed to carry out other bodily functions.

By contrast, body parts that unite in exclusive, marital, heterosexual sex were created for that activity by God. God also designed the human body so that it protects itself against abrasion and infection, and thus disease, naturally. Sexual fidelity between a husband and wife also keeps infection and disease at bay. In other words, a woman and a man were created by God for sexual union in marriage; the bodies of a husband and wife fit together.²

We could put it more bluntly. If you wish to read a more forthright description of why homosexual sex is abusive and sinful, go here.

An Accurate Translation

The use of the word “homosexuals” in 1 Corinthians 6:9 in the RSV New Testament of 1946 did not constitute a mistranslation at all. Next time, we will examine several other passages of Scripture that bear this out.

Stay tuned!

 

Copyright © 2022 by B. Nathaniel Sullivan. All rights reserved.

top image credit: Lightstock

Copyright notice for the RSV Bible, 1952:

Notes:

¹The fact that Jesus affirms God’s perfect plan in a discussion with the Pharisees about divorce shows that though the divine plan is flawless, it involves imperfect, sinful people.

²Glenn Stanton, “Homosexuality: A Christian Perspective” in A Single Pursuit, Winter, 1998-99, (Nashville: LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1998), 85.