From www.zondervan.com
CHANGE:The TNIV incorporates textual changes that reflect a better understanding of the meaning of the original Greek and Hebrew. The majority of the changes are made to better clarify passages or update colloquial English without altering the meaning. With 7 percent change from the NIV, the TNIV matches the NIV word-for-word most of the time. Updates include:
Word changes that more precisely render the meaning of the original text and thus improve accuracy. For example, “Christ” is changed to “Messiah” when the underlying Greek functions as a title.
A better understanding of the meaning of certain terms in the original Greek and Hebrew. References to “the Jews” are described more specifically, such as “the Jews there” or “the Jewish leaders,” when the context indicates a more precise group of people.
Everyday language to improve understanding without changing meaning. For example, Mary is said to be “pregnant” rather than the archaic “with child,” thus reflecting language more commonly used today.
Changes in paragraph structure, sentence structure, word order, punctuation, spelling and capitalization as well as minor word changes based on contemporary English style. For example, the TNIV omits the vocative “O” as it has fallen out of everyday use.
Generic language where the meaning of the text was intended to include both men and women. For example, “sons of God” becomes “children of God,” and “brothers” becomes “brothers and sisters” when it is clear the original text never intended any specific gender reference.
The TNIV is not merely a gender-accurate edition of the NIV. More than 70 percent of the changes made were not related to gender.
The TNIV retains male terminology, as present in the original text, for all references to God without exception. All gender-related changes in the TNIV are made to update masculine terminology that, in view of the immediate context, is often misunderstood and clearly used with generic intent. The changes do not have any doctrinal impact upon the text of Scripture.
The TNIV sometimes uses a generic plural pronoun in the place of a masculine singular pronoun, making it more consistent with contemporary English practice.
There is also a link to the TNIV New Testemant Text
Jean
For pity's sake, folks, do not buy this version. Let the $2M rot out their bottom lines...
Dr. S
"But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of every woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." 1 Corinthians 11:3
"A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man" 1 Corinthians 11:7-9
Hardly pro-feminist.
Jean
"The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 40:8
Does your Bible teach 'Recompence in the Same'?
Jean
1. Most of the Changes will be in changing the gender netural "he" to "They or "Them". Even it the change alters the meaning of the text.
2. This is what happens when Christians built a religious based business, then SELL OUT to non-Christians. I am so sick and tired of short-sighted Christians selling out for a quick profit. Someday we are going to have the "non-judgemental Bible" or the"Gay-Friendly Bible". And Non-Christians will be selling it under a label that Christians labored to build. I don't blame the non-Christians. I don't expect them to understand or care. But Christians should care about what is done in Christ's name. This happens when bureaucrats run the Church instead of disciples.
I am a Southern Baptist and from what I can gleam from the Good Book is we are all children of God, in His own image and I don't believe there is a sexist "bone" about Him. That only applies to people who "think" they Know what God "really ment."
If that does not work go to www.cbmw.org click on resources then click on articles.
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
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