Posted on 03/14/2014 9:15:38 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
When Americans reach for their Bibles, more than half of them pick up a King James Version (KJV), according to a new study advised by respected historian Mark Noll.
The 55 percent who read the KJV easily outnumber the 19 percent who read the New International Version (NIV). And the percentages drop into the single digits for competitors such as the New Revised Standard Version, New America Bible, and the Living Bible.
So concludes "The Bible in American Life," a lengthy report by the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Funded by the Lilly Foundation, researchers asked questions on what David Briggs of the ARDA, which first reported the results, calls "two of the most highly respected data sources for American religion"—the General Social Survey and the National Congregations Study.
The numbers are surprising, given the strong sales of NIV translations in bookstores. The NIV has topped the CBA's bestselling Bible translation list for decades, and continued to sell robustly in 2013.
The high numbers of KJV readers confirm the findings of last year's American Bible Society (ABS) State of the Bible report. On behalf of ABS, Barna Group found that 52 percent of Americans read the King James or the New King James Version, compared with 11 percent who read the NIV. The KJV also received almost 45 percent of the Bible translation-related searches on Google, compared with almost 24 percent for the NIV, according to Bible Gateway's Stephen Smith.
In fact, searches for the KJV seem to be rising distinctly since 2005, while most other English translations are staying flat or are declining, according to Smith's Google research.
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
Under the Preface my NIV says 1978 and (Revised 1983) so maybe that is the 1984 version, and the copyrights are numerous so if I am correct for this one it reads 1973, 1978, 1984. Mine is a Life Application Bible, NIV. Zondervan.
“The explanation offered for the “updates” is also misleading in that it does not mention the real political and financial considerations that have caused the NIV committee to make three revisions within the past fifteen years. The considerations that set in motion this series of revisions are, however, indicated in a document that set forth a new “Policy on Gender-Inclusive Language” adopted by the committee in 1992. The document contains these paragraphs:
C. Authors of Biblical books, even while writing Scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit, unconsciously reflected in many ways, the particular cultures in which they wrote. Hence in the manner in which they articulate the Word of God, they sometimes offend modern sensibilities. At such times, translators can and may use non-offending renderings so as not to hinder the message of the Spirit.
D. The patriarchalism (like other social patterns) of the ancient cultures in which the Biblical books were composed is pervasively reflected in forms of expression that appear, in the modern context, to deny the common human dignity of all hearers and readers. For these forms, alternative modes of expression can and may be used, though care must be taken not to distort the intent of the original text.”
http://www.bible-researcher.com/niv.2011.html
“For this revision to the NIV, particular attention has been paid to external feedback in the area of gender language. As stated in the September 1, 2009, announcement regarding the planned update, every single change introduced into the committee’s last major revision (the TNIV) relating to inclusive language for humanity was reconsidered. Some were preserved, some were abolished in favor of the 1984 rendering and many were reworded in a third, still different way.”
http://www.biblegateway.com/niv/Translators-Notes.pdf
I no longer use the NIV.
“However the Southern Baptist Convention rejected the 2011 update because of gender-related issues. Southern Baptist publisher LifeWay declined the SBC censor to remove the NIV from their stores. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod also cautioned against its use.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NIV
Knox, honest man, compares all 3 versions (Hebrew, Septuagint, and Vulgate). He points out that, as a prophecy of the Incarnation itself, and according to all the early Church Fathers, the feminine form of the verb is to be preferred.
Problem: NIV is done.
They’re not printing any new editions beyond current contracts. It’s replaced by the PC gender-neutral version.
Sheesh. Noun. Verbs don’t have gender.
Yet every other version to include the NABRE corrects this gender error.
by who?
I have the Apologetics Study Bible which is Holman. It's a good translation, easy to read and understand. I still prefer the NLT but the Holman is good.
I thank you for your input. Our pastor switched from the NIV to the ESV a year ago, got it on my phone but don’t have a hard copy. It seams readable and understandable as well. Before my grand parents died, they gave Mrs. Doomonyou and me half a dozen bibles, all KJV or NKJV. Last night after my post to you I pulled the three inch thick boat anchor KJV 1948 blue ribbon Bible off the shelf and read it for a while. My mom gave it to him in 1957. Grandpa gave it to me at Christmas in 1993. Lots of notes in it.
You are quite welcome. I recognize the beauty of the KJV and I have been in churches where the KJV was considered the only worthwhile translation. Problem is that the archaic words take away from my understanding and enjoyment - I get way more out of modern translations as long as they are the accepted scholarly versions. I teach youth Sunday School at my church and have found that the kids find the KJV funny and weird - so I use NLT which they can readily understand.
I understand and agree. The KJV is ingrained in my head from when I was a kid (Raised Lutheran), especially the Lord’s Prayer and John 3:16. On occasion we say the verses as a congregation (Now me and Mrs. Doomonyou are southern Baptist) reading from the projection on the wall and, not that I have to read the words, but it always comes out of my mouth KJV. Must be a God thing. Can’t help it.
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