Top-Selling Bible to Be Issued in Gender-Neutral Version

I just want to make sure you have enough homework!!

I just received this e-mail. I thought that you would find it interesting.

Gender Neutral Bible Controversy Flares Up Once Again
By Randy Stinson
Executive Director, The Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

The International Bible Society and Zondervan, on January 28, 2002 have once again introduced a controversial translation of the Bible, Today's New International Version (TNIV).

For two days now, one of the questions that keep surfacing, is "Why is this such a problem?" Here are a few reasons why this translation should not be well-received.

First, there are many places where the singular generic "he" is replaced with the plural "they" or "them." For instance, Revelation 3:20 in the TNIV says, "I will come and eat with them, and they with me." The removal of "him" and "he" completely drains this passage (and others like it) of the individual nature of the relationship between a person and Christ.

Another example is found in John 11:25. Jesus in the TNIV says "Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die." Again the plural "they" is substituted for the generic "he." Not only does this convolute the personal nature of the relationship between a person and Christ, but it betrays the fact that Jesus himself used the generic "he" even though he was speaking to a woman (Martha).

Second, there are instances where unnecessary mistranslation occurs that loses male meaning in male-specific words. For example the TNIV in Acts 20:30 says, "From your own number some will arise." This is problematic because the Greek word aner is translated "some" when this is a specific word that can only mean men. Not only is this a mistranslation but it communicates the idea that the passage may also refer to women who would "arise." Since this passage refers to the elders, that would not be the case. Even if one affirms that there actually could have been women elders, it is still not appropriate to change the translation to reflect this belief.

Third, IBS has broken its agreement it made in their 1997 press release, "The International Bible Society (IBS) has abandoned all plans for gender-related changes in future editions of the New International Version (NIV)." Although IBS will certainly argue that this is not the NIV but the TNIV, the public may misconstrue this as double talk.

Fourth, Evangelicals must be able to count on Bible translators to have accuracy as their primary objective and not cultural appeasement. Unnecessarily changing the words of the biblical text in order to accommodate those who think certain phrases are offensive is dangerous and irresponsible. The question one must ask is "What will be next?"

As Evangelicals we affirm the verbal inspiration of scripture which means each word is inspired by God. The conscious and unnecessary mistranslation of these words by IBS has produced an unreliable edition of the Bible about which all Christians should be concerned.

VISIT WWW.CBMW.ORG FOR MANY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON THIS ISSUE

THE COUNCIL ON BIBLICAL MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD

2825 Lexington Road Box 926 Louisville, KY 40280

Phone: 1-888-560-8210 Fax: 1-502-897-4061

I trust none of them except the King James Version.

What version would you suggest for Spanish, German, Portugese or Swahili?

Oh...checked with my local Christian Bookstore about this Bible translation. The owner kind of chuckled, shaked his head, then made mention there's no way in H.E.Double Toothpicks that translation would makes its way into his store. :o)

I would bet that this version would NOT be found in most Christian bookstores, only your "generic" variety bookstore. Thanks. . .

I just want to make sure you have enough homework!!

LOL

What version would you suggest for Spanish, German, Portugese or Swahili?

I am a king James Only type, but your arguement is one I use to state why I do NOT believe it is divinely inspired, only divinely blessed. I believe it is the best ENGLISH TRANSLATION available, but only the original Greek and Hebrew/Aramaic are divinely inspired, all other languages are translations, and an evil man can make a accurate translation, but only someone who is directly lead by the Spirit of God could make God's word!

A translation from the King James Version to the appropriate language of course.