“The Scofield Reference Bible was not to be just another translation, subverting minor passages a little at a time. No, Scofield produced a revolutionary book that radically changed the context of the King James Version. It was designed to create a subculture around a new worship icon, the modern State of Israel, a state that did not yet exist, but which was already on the drawing boards of the committed, well-funded authors of World Zionism.” (The Source of the Problem in the Middle East: C. E Carlson)
There are several articles, comments and essays, available on the Scofield Bible; it’s fair to say it has garnered more than its share of praise in the churches, and criticism from historians well versed in Scripture. Several articles condemn its origin as a Zionist scheme to subvert the truth of Christ and Israel; others of huge admiration, believing Scofield a man of God sent to open the truth of the times. So, where does the truth actually belong, what are the facts surrounding its origin, and how did a penniless civil war veteran get to author one of the biggest selling Bibles of all time..?
It is now widely accepted; support, finance and international influence for Scofield, was facilitated by calculating New York lawyer and Zionist, Samuel Untermeyer. Scofield’s background and dubious history made him an easy target, as much of his original work was seen as “apostate and heretical to traditional Christian views.” (Sizer: Christian Zionism, its History, Theology and Politics) It is also pretty clear that Scofield’s effort was not entirely his own, its strongest influence found in the works and sermons of John Darby, from whom he acquired a basic understanding of Christian Zionism. It was Darby’s personal theology, Scofield used in his original notes, misguided as it was.
On one of his two trips to England, Scofield was introduced to Henry Frowde of the Brethren church, official Publisher of the Oxford University Press (OUP). Soon after their meeting OUP became the formal owner of the Scofield Reference Bible (SRB) first issued in 1909. The Bible promptly became the handbook for the adoration of Israel, and a Zionist propaganda tool within the Christian Church. Following Scofield’s death in 1921, the Press began a series of revisions when many of Scofield’s original notes were removed and replaced; the most significant, those of 1967, coinciding with the Six Day War and Israel’s plans for growth and intimidation of the Arab people.
Not only is the Scofield Bible misleading the Christian community (and others) on the truth of Israel concerning the Abrahamic Covenant in particular; it states opinion as fact on doubtful theology and errant beliefs held by many. Also, much of the Church’s confused teaching on dispensationalism (the practise of weaving Old and New Testaments together as though they were written concurrently by the same people) was gleaned from the SRB. It is a system to bury the witness of the Old and New Testaments and their joint purpose of promise and fulfilment in Christ.
Another transgression is its clever promotion of the so-called Rapture, but it pales in comparison with the notes on the explicit words of Jesus; John 8:44 a good example, when He put the Pharisees in their place. In fact, Jesus confronted them on many occasions and included the words ‘satanic’ and ‘vipers’ in some conversations.
The Scofield-Oxford note on John 8:44 states: “That this satanic fatherhood cannot be limited to the Pharisees is made clear in 1John 3:8-10;” which is complete nonsense, as John’s teaching is on sin, and nothing to do with any religious group. This is an obvious manipulation of Scripture to suit Zionist whitewashing. Of interest, no comment is made on Matthew 27:25; “Let his blood be on us and our children.” Perhaps a case of when in doubt, do nothing.
It is clear; the Oxford-Scofield Bible is a half-truths device with two central strategies. (1) To malign Arabs, Islam and non-Jews, and raise Judaism within Christianity; (2) To misdirect Denominational Churches in terms of Scriptural fact. And it has done a remarkable job with both. There’s a lot more to be said and examples given on this book and its unreliable comments. It is without doubt a pro-Israel publication but also a double-edged sword. As Jesus has told us to love and forgive our enemies, it has become a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense for supporters and acolytes alike.
Scofield knew little of the political nature Zionism or their plans for a Jewish State as reflected in his early notes and journals. He died well in advance the State’s founding, having provided the ideal platform for tampering by third-party tricksters whose aim was to confuse. While I believe he didn’t set out to produce a Bible for cultural attacks, or one that belittles the Christ, his vision is nowhere in evidence today. His original notes have been changed or removed entirely. The up to date versions are replacements and additions adapted to the Zionist curriculum by the Oxford University Press, who like most universities and publishers, bow to the edicts of Israel.
The Scofield Reference Bible has built a movement. Many evangelists have fallen under its spell, Billy Graham among them. It remains the handbook for media savvy preachers and is the mainstay of televangelists. Its annotations since 1967, have delivered ongoing wars and racial hatred across the Middle East, and stoked the rhetoric against Russia and Asia. It has buried the truth of God’s promise to Abraham, the truth of Ancient Israel, the truth of modern Jewry’s ancestry, and the truth of Jesus Christ; One LORD and Father of all. The Scofield has severely damaged the good reputation of the King James Bible and is in point of fact, a non-Christian publication to stay away from. There are other and better Bibles one can use, starting with the standard and dependable King James.
Scripture confirms Scripture: The Bible interprets itself through the Spirit of Jesus in us. A ready example is Isaiah 7:14 revealed in Matthew 1:23. Another, a little more in-depth, is David’s Psalm 110:1 opened by Peter at Pentecost in Acts 2:34-36: The LORD said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both LORD and Christ. But notes are useful. Place names and people explained, certainly add clarification and may help with time-lines and prophesy. However, notes for the purpose of shaping God’s Word to fit an agenda of misdirection and confusion, are remarks from dark and devilish places reducing its glory to dust on the wind.
The prophet that has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat, sayeth the LORD. (Jer 23:28)
Like many of his day: Jehovah’s Witnesses Russell and Rutherford, and Mormons Smith, Pratt and Rigdon; Scofield was living in a time of deflated Christianity looking for deliverance from new-fangled ideas, which had lowered a veil over a truth already visible. And while Cyrus Scofield was not the wisest theologian; he was, when all is said and done, the unwitting tool of men with agendas; a pawn in a much bigger game…
In love and peace as always,
James