Battle of Biblical Proportions: The cost of a gender-neutral bible

National Review Online--Taste ^ | Friday, June 27, 2003 | DALE BUSS

[stands2reason]

Battle of Biblical Proportions: The cost of a gender-neutral bible.

HarperCollins's purchase of Zondervan Corp. in 1988 has paid off handsomely, in huge profits in the fast-growing Christian-publishing market. But these days, Zondervan/HarperCollins is also dealing with a self-made dilemma that would challenge Solomon: how to promote simultaneously both the most beloved literal translation of the Bible, the New International Version (NIV), and the most polarizing new rendering, the gender-adjusted Today's New International Version (TNIV).

[stands2reason]

The TNIV obviously changes more than just "gender" references, it seems an attempt to rewrite Christianity. That Luke 17:3 rewrite shows it. It says in the PC version that you should rebuke a "brother or sister" only if he sins against you. Big difference from the real version.

[stands2reason]

Has anyone else noted any other major changes in the TNIV? I can only guess how they'll take on Leviticus.

[Revelation 911]

The TNIV obviously changes more than just "gender" references, it seems an attempt to rewrite Christianity. That Luke 17:3 rewrite shows it. It says in the PC version that you should rebuke a "brother or sister" only if he sins against you. Big difference from the real version.

Im no fan of it - but think of it this way - how many people were brought to Christ and moved to a more familiar text after reading the Good News?

How many lesbians and angry womyn will respond to the call of God upon thier hearts after finally approaching a version that doesnt enrage them.

I'd consider many - particularly once they meet a committed Christian like you.

I initially read a Catholic text - now use KJV, Cath and NIV when reading - each has its positive aspects - granted the TNIV's may be harder to find, but Im confident there are at least a few

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP

[wideawake]

There have been many gender-neutral editions of the Bible.

Only one will ever sell even modestly - the NRSV - because it is the preferred choice of liberal universities for survey courses.

The KJV and the NIV will dominate the individual consumer market for the simple reason that people who actually read Bibles frequently enough to wear out their old copies and need new copies are people who don't like gender-neutral language.

[LanPB01]

Along with "gender neutral" bibles, I'm proposing we spice the story up a bit. Due to failing ratings, it's time to introduce Jeebus, brother of Jesus and savior of Homer Simpson.

[longtermmemmory]

In light of the lawrance decision, how does it change the passages which are against homosexuality?

[w1andsodidwe]

I just want a gender neutral Koran. That would only be the PC thing to do.

[stands2reason]

"If any brother or sister sins against you, rebuke the offender."

I'm not necessarily making a dig at the "gender-neutral" portions (although I will give it a big eye-roll), but why did they alter the meaning of the text? What good does it do at all? It just misleads people.

[Lib=Liar]

Sola Scriptura??? How about “Sola Script-it-any-way-you-like”?

[Sofa King]

Next up: The Bible v2.0

In THIS version, Jesus approves of abortion and preemptively hates America. Also, "Thou shalt not steal" is replaced with "Thou shalt feel free to anything that isn't nailed down"

I can't wait!

[stands2reason]

I just want a gender neutral Koran. That would only be the PC thing to do.

LOL!!

[stands2reason]

the NRSV

Are there discrepancies in that version as well? Did they PC it up past the gender-issue?

[longtermmemmory]

how did they pc "the Lord's Prayer"?

How did they get past "Our Father..." That is very unabiguous, in Greek, Old Greek, and Latin.

[rwfromkansas]

World Magazine did some very revealing articles on this "bible."

In some cases, it changes references to Jesus to gender-neutral.

Furthermore, it changes singular to plural etc.

It goes much further than Zondervan claims.

This "bible" is blasphemy and Satan is going to work through it.

[rwfromkansas]

These are liberals. They don't care about how much they contort God's word for ungodly purposes.

[wideawake]

The NRSV mostly gender-neutralizes (which, as we both know, has an important impact on the meaning of the text in many places) but also engages in some dynamic equivalence work as well.

[DoughtyOne]

I'm quite satisfied with the King James version.

[ClearCase_guy]

"Our parental unit, ..."

[RaceBannon]

I have serious doubts people were saved in large Numbers through the TEV, yet I will wager a few were saved despit it...

(Rev 22:18 KJV) For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

(Rev 22:19 KJV) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.