The Problem with the NIV translation.....

I've used the NIV translation for as long as I can remember. It's been my constant companion and my translation of choice. My problem with the translation began when Zondervan decided to publish an updated version in 2005 called the TNIV or Today's New International Version. The problem with this translation is that it included gender inclusivism. Of course, a gender neutral Bible appeals to many facets of society, but I could not accept the changes to the text. Fortunately, the TNIV floundered because of the pressure from conservatives. Yet, the pressure remains for Zondervan to sell Bibles and thus, their 2011 Edition of the NIV will completely replace all other editions, including the 1984 version which has been my Bible of choice.

According to the SBC  75% of the inaccurate gender language remains in the 2011 version. 

The Bible committee that reviews and updates for Zondervan made the following statements concerning the changes:

“Our gender decisions were made on the basis of very careful and significant research,” Douglas Moo, chairman of the Committee on Bible Translation, which translated the 2011 NIV, told the Baptist Press.

The committee meets yearly to consider changes in the NIV Bible and was approached in 2009 by Zondervan and Biblica about a new translation.

“The decisions we’ve made about gender have no motivation of not offending people. The motivation, rather, is to communicate clearly to people what we think arguably is contemporary English.”

Mlive also reported Moo saying, “About 95 percent of the words are the same. On the one hand, we tried to keep the continuity because the translation was so good the first time. But there were a lot of changes in the English language that needed to be reflected as well.”

Personally, these changes are based upon human intent rather than a faithful interpretation from the original texts. So, this leaves me in a tough position.

Since Zondervan is no longer publishing the 1984 version of the NIV to go along with the 2011 version, I can no longer recommend the NIV translation when someone is looking for a Bible. In fact, the last few times I have had to check the date in the front of the Bible to make sure I was buying the 1984 version. This has become a growing concern for me, and I resisted changing the translation I preach from and teach from, but with Zondervan making the decision to pull the 1984 from the shelf, I am convinced I will change before too long.

I use many other translations to study from and have several in my study, but I would most likely switch to the ESV version. I use the ESV STUDY Bible a lot, and have enjoyed it. I have a thinline ESV which is a nice Bible. My second choice would most likely be the HCSB, published by our in house publisher for my denomination. I also like the NASB and NLT as possible choices.

It's a sad day for me and I will always keep my 1984 versions handy to read and study from, but I think the day is coming when the NIV will be replaced as my teaching and preaching translation.