January 30, 2007
-
Today’s New International Version
My husband loves the TNIV — and so do I!
Here he is hugging his TNIV Bible affectionately.
About two weeks ago, we went to the local Christian book store and purchased a TNIV Bible for Sam. He’s made the switch from NKJV to TNIV!
A lot of controversy surrounds the TNIV. When I first heard about this translation it was from misinformed individuals who had misconceptions about this translation, and like a blind fool, I believed them at face value! I was falsely told that the TNIV is a ”gender neutral” Bible (it’s not ‘gender neutral’; it’s ‘gender inclusive’). I was falsely told that it was a feminist Bible (it’s not at all). I was falsely told that it was a “politically correct” Bible (backed by a liberal political agenda). I was falsely told that it called God “he/she” and sometimes “she” (this never happens in the TNIV). I only found out recently that all of these assertions are incorrect!!!
After doing some reseach on the TNIV, I was surprised by the truth. And I realized, too, that I was guilty of what most of us tend toward – it’s just human nature to accept what others say (especially those who seem to be in positions of authority or knowledge), because we are too lazy to discover the truth for ourselves. We need to do the research before we make conclusions about things and not base our beliefs on what such-and-such pastor or traditions or people say – especially when there is some controversy involved (and when there are other pastors and people with different positions). What is the truth?
The other week we purchased Season 4 of The Flintstones, a childhood favorite. There’s a part in the intro song which goes, “When you’re…with the Flintstones, you’ll have a gay ol’ time!” Gay ol’ time?? What the songwriters meant is that “you’ll have a happy/fun time.” Of course, these days, we think something different when someone says “gay.” Language changes as time changes, because language is dyanamic just as people are dynamic. That lesson was repeated over and over again like a broken record in my linguistics classes in college. Words are invented and reinvented as time progresses. Dictionaries need to be updated to include new meanings and ways of saying things. Bibles need to be updated too, so that God’s message continues to come across as clearly as possible.
This was the goal in the translation of the TNIV — to faithfully communicate the timeless truths of God’s Word with the usage of language that is standard today. The TNIV translation team consists of board of diverse Bible scholars who are ‘experts’ in different areas (such as hermeneutics, Old Testament, New Testament, etc). Most of them are conservatives and complementarians (so do not have a liberal agenda). And the more I learn about correct hermeneutics, Bible translation and “original” Biblical manuscripts, etc, the more I am convinced that they did things just right. They were faithful to translating God’s meaning from the original — and communicating it clearly to us! The debate we heard and read about between Wayne Grudem (editor of ”Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood”) vs. Mark Strauss (New Testament Professor at Bethel Seminary) helped us understand the strengths and weaknesses to those who were against the TNIV and those who were for it. And in terms of formal debate, I believe the pro side won. Sam & I, who began listening to the debate leaning more toward the con side, were convinced!
On a personal note, I have been reading the NIV since before I was a Christian. (I tried the KJV prior to that and was so confused at why Jesus said to “suffer the little children”.) Like most, when the Bible said, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law”, I knew I was included in those who were justified by faith. When the Bible said, “Finally, brothers…offer your bodies as living sacrifices,” I knew I was included in that exhortation to offer myself fully to God. I translated “man” to mean “people” and “brothers” to mean “brothers and sisters” in my mind. The TNIV does this for us! And it is so beautiful! It’s like when someone you respect actually calls you by name. Example, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Wow, I am included in this! It’s not just the prayer of a righteous man that is powerful. Wow! These words hit me very personally and very powerfully as I read them in the TNIV for the first time a few weeks ago.
I love the TNIV (and am envious of Sam’s Bible). It is accurate, it is inclusive and therefore personal to me, it is powerful, and it is refreshing. If you love it too, join the TNIV blogring!
If you don’t, please consider researching more information about it before dismissing it for the wrong reasons. (Listen to the debate.)On another note, Sam & I visted Julian the other week…
“If we are out of our mind (nuts!!), it is for the sake of God…For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all…” (2 Corinthians 5:13-21)
Comments (11)
who’s the guy who told you all about the lies about TNIV?
BTW, i love those pictures of Sam being all content with his TNIV! haha!
Yeah, who were the people who told you all those lies about TNIV?! Surely not anyone from Bethel. I think I would turn first to Dr. Scorgie and Dr. Strauss on questions like that. (In actuality, I think I asked Dr. Youngblood first when the draft version of the TNIV NT was released.) Dr. Youngblood basically said people seem to be comfortable with their version of choice and were reacting to, “someone messing with my NIV [or version of choice].”
Now, there are some legitimate concerns for other gender-neutral translations (which attempt to include the feminine where none is intended), but TNIV is definitely not among those. It does a great job of accurately reflecting when the word used is inclusive. It may be worth noting that TNIV also improves word choices (over the NIV) in places where gender is not at issue, making it a better translation for “today” even if the gender issue is not considered. The TNIV also does a good job of reflecting original-language structure while being good English—just smooth and formal enough to read on the street and from the pulpit (unlike say the HCSB and NASB, which are on opposite ends of the spectrum; one too loose and the other too wooden).
I do have one gripe, though… There are places where in their effort to make the text inclusive, the TNIV translators have really made the English awkward. Granted, I can’t say I would be able to do a better job without resorting to the traditional use of the third person masculine to mean a person of either gender or a group of mixed gender; yet it still grates on my ears/mind severely.
You know, I was going to do one of my Gospel readings for class in the TNIV this semester, but sadly, I don’t seem to be able to find mine…
Just to clarify, I wouldn’t call the TNIV a gender-neutral Bible. It’s not neutral; it’s inclusive. It includes both ‘brothers and sisters’, ‘men and women’. I think it’s misleading to say it is neutral.
Also, in regard to im4GMG’s comment, I am guessing that you are referring to times when they translated sentences into, “if anyone…they should…” You’re right for feeling like it is a little awkward. Traditionally, in English grammar, this was deemed incorrect usage. This was what I was taught in primary school. However, when I got to college, both my linguistics and literature professors acknowledged that there has been a change and that it has become more and more acceptable these days to write this way. It is no longer considered “bad grammar.” I think the TNIV translators “did good” in adopting this new usage of the English language in this translation. On a personal note, I used to be really annoyed before, also, when people would say “anyone” and then say “they” (singular and then plural??!! in the same sentence? it doesn’t match up!), because I was such a stickler for correct grammar, but I’ve let it go.
Urbana’s free bible was TNIV =]
I prefer “he/she” and that’s what I always wrote in my papers.
BTW you went to primary school? You were taught grammar? I was never taught grammar and I never went to primary school. What is primary school?
it’s elementary school. ahahahah
i learned grammar in 9th grade.
Great explanation of the TNIV. I heard the same type of hype you did… the bad hype and was turned off. Until I also looked at it for myself. I was like, “what?! That’s all?! I like it!”
And thanks for the link to my site! That was fun to see.
We totally miss you guys. How close are you to coming out here?
so strange that we didn’t talk more about this when the tniv came out. i somehow remember having pro and con articles about tniv and i read both and was excited about the tniv because i thought the critics were crazy. and remember when i was really excited about it in that bookstore in michigan when i called you and asked you to compare prices online? so strange. timing, it still comes back to timing.
really, daniel? you would want a bible to refer to God as he/she? or do you mean people?
primary school = grammar school = elementary school
and yes, i was taught grammar in elementary school.
I suppose that the TNIV in my opinion is all right for what it’s intended to do. There are strengths and weaknesses for it. Either way, I read the ESV – understanding the intent of the words is the point of TNIV, anyway. I don’t know if they overdid it. Some say they did, some say not. *shrugs*