Did the International Bible Society lie or simply change direction?
I believe that the history of the TNIV is critical to understanding just why it is a concern and should cause us to question the motives behind it.
May 27, 1997 - a press release indicated that "IBS (International Bible Society) has abandoned all plans for gender-related changes in future editions of the New International Version (NIV)." The Colorado Springs Guidelines (CSG) are drafted and signed by all participants, including the International Bible Society.
The CSG states, “All participants agree that our overarching concern in Bible translating is to preserve the sanctity of the truth of sacred Scripture by rendering the most accurate translation possible. In the interests of such accuracy, we all agree that modern language is fluid and undergoes changes in nuance that require periodic updates and revisions. We agree that Bible translations should not be influenced by illegitimate intrusions of secular culture or by political or ideological agendas. Specifically, we agree that it is inappropriate to use gender-neutral language when it diminishes accuracy in the translation of the Bible, and we therefore agree to the attached guidelines for translation of gender-related language in Scripture.”
June 24, 1999 - An online news service, Religion Today, published a feature story, "'Gender-accurate' Bible due to be published," in which it reported an interview with Steve Johnson, communications director for the IBS, who said that a "gender-accurate" translation of the Bible is due to be published in 2003 or 2004.
Dr. R. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, told Religion News Service that he felt 'a sense of betrayal' because the agreement seems to have 'no effect.'"
January 18, 2002 - International Bible Society president Peter Bradley sent a certified letter informing several key evangelical leaders that since the May 1997 meeting, the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT) "has continued its work of reviewing and updating the NIV." Since the CBT's new text, Today's New International Version (TNIV), did not conform to the Colordao Springs Guidelines (CSG), Bradley announced IBS's answer to their dilemma: "IBS is withdrawing its endorsement of the CSG." Bradley stated that at the end of January 2002 "IBS will be sending out nearly 40,000 prepublication editions of the TNIV New Testament to key gatekeepers and evangelical leaders nationwide to solicit their feedback."
February 1, 2002 - 37 evangelical scholars issued a joint statement stating, "In light of troubling translation inaccuracies-primarily (but not exclusively) in relation to gender language-that introduce distortions of the meanings that were conveyed better by the original NIV, we cannot endorse the TNIV translation as sufficiently accurate to commend to the church."
May 28, 2002 - 100 Christian leaders issued a joint statement indicating that they "cannot endorse the TNIV as sufficiently trustworthy to commend to the church."
June 12, 2002 - At its annual meeting, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) passed a resolution expressing disappointment with IBS and Zondervan and insisting that it could not commend the TNIV to Southern Baptists or the larger Christian community. In addition, Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention announced that it would not carry the TNIV.
My heart breaks reading the history of this translation. I too have a feeling of betrayal. Lies, deceit, betrayal … why is it that after signing the Colorado Springs Guidelines which specifically addressed gender-neutral language, IBS and Zondervan would chose to "continue its work of reviewing and updating the NIV?" In 1997, they “abandoned all plans for the changes” and only 2 short years later, they announce the publication of the TNIV??? What on earth happened?
May 27, 1997 - a press release indicated that "IBS (International Bible Society) has abandoned all plans for gender-related changes in future editions of the New International Version (NIV)." The Colorado Springs Guidelines (CSG) are drafted and signed by all participants, including the International Bible Society.
The CSG states, “All participants agree that our overarching concern in Bible translating is to preserve the sanctity of the truth of sacred Scripture by rendering the most accurate translation possible. In the interests of such accuracy, we all agree that modern language is fluid and undergoes changes in nuance that require periodic updates and revisions. We agree that Bible translations should not be influenced by illegitimate intrusions of secular culture or by political or ideological agendas. Specifically, we agree that it is inappropriate to use gender-neutral language when it diminishes accuracy in the translation of the Bible, and we therefore agree to the attached guidelines for translation of gender-related language in Scripture.”
June 24, 1999 - An online news service, Religion Today, published a feature story, "'Gender-accurate' Bible due to be published," in which it reported an interview with Steve Johnson, communications director for the IBS, who said that a "gender-accurate" translation of the Bible is due to be published in 2003 or 2004.
Dr. R. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, told Religion News Service that he felt 'a sense of betrayal' because the agreement seems to have 'no effect.'"
January 18, 2002 - International Bible Society president Peter Bradley sent a certified letter informing several key evangelical leaders that since the May 1997 meeting, the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT) "has continued its work of reviewing and updating the NIV." Since the CBT's new text, Today's New International Version (TNIV), did not conform to the Colordao Springs Guidelines (CSG), Bradley announced IBS's answer to their dilemma: "IBS is withdrawing its endorsement of the CSG." Bradley stated that at the end of January 2002 "IBS will be sending out nearly 40,000 prepublication editions of the TNIV New Testament to key gatekeepers and evangelical leaders nationwide to solicit their feedback."
February 1, 2002 - 37 evangelical scholars issued a joint statement stating, "In light of troubling translation inaccuracies-primarily (but not exclusively) in relation to gender language-that introduce distortions of the meanings that were conveyed better by the original NIV, we cannot endorse the TNIV translation as sufficiently accurate to commend to the church."
May 28, 2002 - 100 Christian leaders issued a joint statement indicating that they "cannot endorse the TNIV as sufficiently trustworthy to commend to the church."
June 12, 2002 - At its annual meeting, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) passed a resolution expressing disappointment with IBS and Zondervan and insisting that it could not commend the TNIV to Southern Baptists or the larger Christian community. In addition, Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention announced that it would not carry the TNIV.
My heart breaks reading the history of this translation. I too have a feeling of betrayal. Lies, deceit, betrayal … why is it that after signing the Colorado Springs Guidelines which specifically addressed gender-neutral language, IBS and Zondervan would chose to "continue its work of reviewing and updating the NIV?" In 1997, they “abandoned all plans for the changes” and only 2 short years later, they announce the publication of the TNIV??? What on earth happened?
posted by Lisa Stucky at 9:15 PM
4 Comments:
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Lisa, IBS has stated that after careful consideration they changed their minds. They felt they could no longer support the CSG, as they were written (I question them as well--they are not well written and do not allow for the most accurate possible Bible translation. They were not written by Bible translators.)
I am willing to take IBS at its word that it had a change of mind.
Only God knows the hearts and motives of others. I, personally, do not think it accomplishes much for Christ's work if we publicly question whether someone has lied or changed their mind, once they have said they changed their minds. The unsaved world is watching how we Christians treat each other. Since none of us knows the hearts of each other, except God alone, I personally think it is best to leave such matters for God to judge.
Until then, you can be assured that the TNIV is a good translation. It has been made more accurate than the NIV. A number of Bible scholars have pointed this out. Yes, there are some Bible scholars who do not like the TNIV. But even more most Bible scholars who have carefully studied the issues involved have recognized that the TNIV is an accurate translation. You can see reviews of the TNIV which point out good qualities of it as well as some areas in which there can be improvement, as there can be with any Bible translation, at my website on the TNIV:
TNIV Links. I have tried to be absolutely fair and accurate there, posting information both from opponents of the TNIV as well as those who support it.
I would encourage you to study these matters in depth for yourself.
For instance, study the meaning of the Greek work adelphoi in Romans 12:1. What is the most accurate English translation of that Greek work in that verse? Did Paul address that verse only to male Christians? Very few Bible scholars think so. Even several who signed the CSB and who translated the ESV Bible believe that adelphoi quite possibly refers to both male as well as female Christians. The ESV even footnotes that translation. Two of the main leaders of the ESV translation were Dr. Grudem and Dr. Poythress who helped produce the list of supposed inaccuracies in the TNIV.
So just carefully study these matters to find out if the criticisms of the TNIV are accurate or not. Look up answers in Bible study commentaries or Bible study tools you and your husband may have.
You will find that the TNIV translation of "brothers and sisters" in Rom. 12:1 is accurate. Most Bible scholars believe the verse was addressed to both male and female Christians in Rome. The Greek word adelphoi is exactly the word that was used for a group that included both men and women Christians. So there is no inaccuracy there in the TNIV. Similarly in the Sermon on the Mount. The TNIV is accurate, along with the KJV, when it says that those who are peacemakers will be called the "children" of God (Matt. 6:9). The Greek word is huioi. It is accurately translated as "children" when it refers to a group of both males and females. Jesus did not leave women out of being peacemakers in Matt. 6:9.
If we carefully go through the list of supposed inaccuracies in the TNIV, we will find almost all of them are actually accurate, not inaccurate.
I don't agree with every translation in the TNIV, just as I do not agree with every translation in any English Bible version, but the TNIV is one of the most accurate English versions ever produced. It is so very sad that so many people have been led to believe something different about the TNIV. Careful Bible scholarship, looking at what the Hebrew and Greek actually say, should bring many people to understand what is actually true about the TNIV.
C.S. Lewis discussed the sad strategy in his book The Screwtape Letters that is in play about the TNIV.
There was some problem getting the Internet address for my website on the TNIV to display. Here it is:
http://www.geocities.com/bible_translation/tnivlinks.htm
And here is my website on the ESV translation, if you are familiar with that one:
http://www.geocities.com/bible_translation/esvlinks.htm
This is really old news. IBS has responded to this at http://www.tniv.info/qanda.php
"In 1997, the Colorado Springs Guidelines were signed at a very difficult time when the primary concern of IBS leadership was to prevent further dissension within the Christian community. In retrospect we realized it was a mistake to sign the CSG. We reached this conclusion after thorough consultation and review of the guidelines with several respected translation experts from around the world. This review revealed the proposed guidelines were in many cases inconsistent, unduly restrictive, and would actually inhibit the ability of the CBT, and IBS to perform our missions—to accurately translate the meaning of the original texts—and to provide God’s Word to the next generation.
Simply stated, the CSG, although well-meaning, does not conform to sound translation methodology widely accepted by a significant majority of evangelical linguists, translators, and scholars.
Following this revelation, it would have been inconsistent for IBS to remain an endorser of the CSG while publishing a text that did not strictly conform to the agreement’s flawed guidelines. As a result we withdrew our endorsement to the CSG. To ensure we operated with the highest degree of integrity on this matter, our current president set the issue before our Board of Directors in 2001, which in turn, unanimously supported our withdrawal from the CSG.
As further evidence of our commitment to integrity, IBS and Zondervan have made certain there will never be changes to the 1984 NIV text, realizing some in the evangelical community prefer it as is. We respect their choice of text, realizing that the TNIV provides another option for those desiring a more contemporary text. Regardless of choice, both the NIV and the TNIV are the result of our unequivocal commitment to accuracy, excellence in Biblical scholarship and sound translation principles."
As Wayne stated in the comments above, there are very grave problems with the Colorado Springs Guidelines. To have signed it to begin with was a mistake on the part of IBS. Fortunately they had the sense enough to recognize the mistake and move forward.
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