The TNIV text was used in many of Zondervan's Bible products, including some that were marketed to an urban audience, such as The Bible Experience (see below), the popular dramatized reading of the Scriptures featuring the voices of top African American actors.
Let me begin by asking a simple question: What Bible translation do you use and why?
As a pastor and wannabe theologian, I own, read, and use countless Bibles and various translations. My bookshelves are filled with everything from the KJV to The Message. A couple years ago, I made the switch to the TNIV (Today's New International Version) as my primary Bible for devotional reading. Prior to that, I was using mostly the NIV and NRSV. My pastoral staff at Quest Church (and even our denominational tribe, the ECC) also began teaching from the TNIV as part of our ongoing commitment to exegetical preaching. So, I was very disappointed to read yesterday that the TNIV will be abandoned and written off as a "mistake" by its publisher, Zondervan.
I know that the TNIV is not a perfect translation. Regardless of what folks may think, there is no perfect translation. But like other translations I read and respect, the TNIV is a scholarly and faithful translation of the Holy Scriptures. And while no translation of the Scriptures should be held hostage to any particular agendas, I very much appreciated its willingness to take gender inclusivity as one of numerous important considerations.
Listen to what I'm saying carefully: The TNIV is not about gender inclusivity. But sadly, it was pegged and even advertised as such. The TNIV is about the Holy Scriptures foremost. And while others will strongly disagree, I find it difficult for translations not to take into account for appropriate gender neutrality and inclusivity.
The cultural landscape of evangelicalism and mainstream Christianity can sometimes be schizophrenic. And as of late, with the increasing rise of the macho, masculine, and ultimate fighting Jesus presentation, the TNIV was immensely refreshing and encouraging -- all while being scholarly faithful.
While I understand that there's always more going on behind the scenes that contribute to the pulling of the plug (can anyone say, "It's the economy, stupid"?), I see the following as some mistakes: Zondervan's initial presentation of the TNIV to the public; the abysmal support from the publisher since its release and in the face of criticisms; and now, the publisher's "exit strategy," which sends some awful and mixed messages.
Having said that, and despite being disappointed with the unplugging of the TNIV, I am eager to check out the 2011 NIV. Meantime, I'll ask that beginning question again: What Bible translation do you use as your main text, and why?
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Eugene Cho, a second-generation Korean-American, is the founder and lead pastor of Quest Church in Seattle and the executive director of Q Cafe, an innovative nonprofit neighborhood café and music venue. He and his wife are also the co-founders of One Day's Wages -- a movement to fight extreme global poverty. You can stalk him at his blog or follow him on Twitter.
Lately I've adopted the New Living Translation as my main Bible version, but I enjoyed listening to the TNIV on the Bible Experience CDs. I never heard anything heretical in the TNIV's translation of the scriptures.