This paper has been mentioned many times. These somewhat longer (compared to most blog posts) types of papers are often difficult to read while sitting at the computer. So it’s easy to read about the gender related things near the beginning, and if it isn’t a critical matter to you, move on to something else.
One interesting part of this paper is the listing of many verses where there are changes between the NIV and the TNIV aside from the gender issue. These can be found on pages 4-14. Being very familiar with the NIV, almost every change I’ve noticed in the TNIV on my own even before I looked at this paper, aside from the gender inclusive language is positive as far as I can tell.
TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION:
THE UNTOLD STORY OF A GOOD TRANSLATION (PDF file)
by Craig L. Blomberg
Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary
Some quotes:
Approximately 7% of the text is changed from the last American revision of the NIV, published in 1984. A little less than 30% of these changes involve inclusive language for humanity…
In a busy world, it is often easiest just to trust a respected friend and scholar, do a little bit of first-hand examination, and come to a conclusion. On the other hand, I have read every word of the TNIV, rereading my old NIV at the same time, noting and evaluating every change in light of the UBS Greek New Testament, so that the generalizations that I make may be as accurate as possible.
The purpose of my paper, then, is threefold. First, I wish to point out some enormous improvements that the TNIV has made over the previous editions of the NIV in areas unrelated to gender-inclusive language. Second, I wish to respond to some of the most persistent and misguided charges against the TNIV with respect to gender-inclusive language. Finally, I wish to highlight the fact that the most prominent forms of gender-inclusive language changes in the TNIV that “violate” the CSG are forms of translation found within the New Testament itself, so that those who support the CSG, however unwittingly, are therefore impugning the very patterns God adopted in inspiring his Scriptures.
I’m not posting this because the TNIV is my favorite translation or because I’m a champion of gender inclusiveness to this degree, the latter only because I haven’t spent enough time on it. I just think this is very informative, especially for those who are considering using the TNIV regularly or who want to be well informed. Certainly it’s important to consider other sources as well.
Related articles:
THE DEBATE OVER GENDER-INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE (PDF file) by D. A. Carson
A Brief Summary of Concerns About the TNIV by Wayne Grudem
(although the main thrust of my post is the non-gender related changes from the NIV to the TNIV)
Psalm 131:1 - What a difference a translation makes
Psalm 131:1 ESV
O LORD, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
I don’t know what “my heart is not lifted up” or “my eyes are not raised too high” means.
Psalm 131:1 TNIV
My heart is not proud,
Lord, my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
TNIV clarifies this by indicating that it’s about pride and haughtiness. But are we not supposed to think of great matters or strive to concern ourselves with wonderful things that may for now be too wonderful for us to understand?
Psalm 131:1 NASB
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.
Even NASB is more clear on a couple of these things.
Psalm 131:1 HCSB
Lord, my heart is not proud;
my eyes are not haughty.
I do not get involved with things
too great or too difficult for me.
I’m kind of surprised that HCSB uses the archaic word haughty. How about arrogant or egotistical?
Psalm 131:1 MSG
GOD, I’m not trying to rule the roost,
I don’t want to be king of the mountain.
I haven’t meddled where I have no business
or fantasized grandiose plans.
This is a nice interpretation of what the meaning may be.
John Gill on v. 1b:
neither do I exercise myself in great matters; or, “walk” (m) in them; these were not the subject of his employment and conversation; he did many great things, in killing the lion and the bear that came into his father’s flock; in slaying Goliath with a sling and stone only; in leading out the armies of Israel, and slaying his ten thousands; and he exercised himself in the great things of the law, which he was careful to observe, and studied the great things of the Gospel, which he had the highest esteem of, and desired to understand; but he did not seek human greatness, or the great things of this world, for himself; he had no ambitious views, or was desirous of the kingdom he was anointed to, before the proper time; see 1 Samuel 18:18;
or in things too high for me: or “too wonderful” (n); see Job 42:3. He contemplated the wonderful make and frame of his body, the texture, symmetry, and use of each of its parts; he observed the wonderful providences of God towards him ever since he had a being; and particularly he took notice of the wonderful love of God to him, and remembered and talked of, and declared, the wonderful works of grace and redemption; but not things above his capacity, out of his reach, and which are secret, or not clearly revealed: and such things we should be content to be ignorant of, or not to have adequate ideas of, or be capable of accounting for;
Related Scripture:
Romans 12:3 HCSB For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 HCSB
No one should deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, he must become foolish so that he can become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written: He catches the wise in their craftiness — 20 and again, The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are futile.
Philippians 1:9-10 HCSB
And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you can determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,
(Emphasis added)
Philippians 2:21 HCSB
all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.