Yesterday, Zondervan Publishing House and Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society) announced plans to revise the NIV in 2011 and discontinue the controversial TNIV. Many conservative evangelicals, and groups like the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) openly opposed the gender neutral translation choices of the TNIV. So to hear this coming from Zondervan is encouraging. Every gender neutral decision will be reviewed, but they aren’t promising a wholesale about face when it comes to their translation philosophy.
Still I am encouraged and hope the best for the updated NIV. Personally, I prefer a more formally equivalent translation (word for word), but I admit the validity and value of a dynamic equivalent translation. In fact I think the ESV which I use, is closer to the NIV in its translation philosophy than it admits.
Anyway I wanted to spread the news in case my readers hadn’t heard. Here are a few links which may help you get a better understanding of what this all means.
- Official press release from Zondervan
- Justin Taylor’s first post announcing the issue
- Ligon Duncan’s statement concerning the news
- Randy Stinson, president of CBMW’s statement
- Albert Mohler’s thoughts on the announcement
- A brief interview with Douglas Moo, chairman of the Committee on Bible Translation (that will oversee the NIV update)
That is good to hear. I heard the announcement today a morning talk show. They will be updating language again…and one guy on the raido asked: “I wonder if twittering will be in this one? and Then the Lord tweeted and said…” LOL
It’s good to hear about revising the gender neutrality thing that is…
Good development. Thanks for alerting me to it.
Yesterday, Zondervan Publishing House and Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society) announced plans to revise the NIV in 2011 and discontinue the controversial TNIV. Many conservative evangelicals, and groups like the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) openly opposed the gender neutral translation choices of the TNIV. So to hear this coming from Zondervan is encouraging. Every gender neutral decision will be reviewed, but they aren’t promising a wholesale about face when it comes to their translation philosophy.
Not to be Eeyore about this, but I don’t foresee a withdraw from the TNIV’s neutered language as long as Mark Strauss is on the CBT, which he is, as Vice-Chair. I anticipate a strong egalitarian bias in the coming new NIV translation. But time will tell.
The new NIV is not the only soon-to-be-released Bible; the Common English Bible is also on its way. One of its translators is also on the NIV’s CBT.
Yours in Christ,
James Snapp, Jr.
I’m skeptical too, let me tell you. But I’m hoping that perhaps some kind of compromise can be reached.