Journal: Journal for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Volume: JBMW 10:2 (Fall 2005)
Article: Today’s New International Version: A Brief Look at Its Methodology and Some Examples
Author: Justin Taylor

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JBMW 10:2 (Fall 2005) p. 10

Today’s New International Version:
A Brief Look at Its Methodology and Some Examples

Justin Taylor

Director of Theology
Executive Editor
Desiring God Ministries, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Introduction

Before examining a few translation choices of Today’s New International Version (TNIV) and the methodology behind it, I think it would be wise to express gratitude to God for the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT) for the TNIV. They labored over God’s word for ten years in order to produce this translation for the church. The brothers and sisters on the translation committee are some of the finest biblical scholars in the world, and they made an enormous investment of time, talent, and energy over the course of the past decade. We can be, and should be, grateful for their labors. Countless people will read this Bible. Through its words and by the Spirit, they may meet our great covenant Lord, being convicted, instructed, and edified. For that, we should thank God.

Along with that expression of gratitude comes regret for debate. Doubtless those who were involved with this translation project have been on the receiving end of a great deal of criticism. When one part of the body hurts, we all should hurt. And one part of the body should not rejoice in the hurt of another part! And yet there is something more important than our limbs: the truth of God and the health of the church. That is why debate will be with us till Christ returns. John Stott said it well: “The proper activity of professing Christians who disagree with one another is neither to ignore, nor to conceal, nor even to minimize their differences, but to debate them.”1 That does not mean, however, that we take any pleasure in the necessity of participating in such debates.

Our aim in this debate should be the glorification of God in Christ, the love of our neighbors as ourselves, and the edification of the church. I pray that the concerns enumerated below—and expressed more fulsomely and eloquently by others— would be used of God to strengthen, not undermine, the church and her commitment to God’s holy word.

JBMW 10:2 (Fall 2005) p. 11

The TNIV Website

Despite a proliferation of journal articles, academic papers, festschrift essays, blogs, debates, and books, the fact remains that most people in our churches remain unfamiliar with the key lines of argumentation from both sides. One resource at their disposal is the TNIV website: http://tniv.info. What one discovers upon using this site is a mixture of clarification and inconsistency.

The Goals of the TNIV

Those who visit this site will be helped ...

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