Personal Note: NIV 2011
I would like to take quick break from the normal function of this blog to share something on a personal nature with you. Integrity demands it, since it comes as a form of disclosure. But I am also concerned to stem any misunderstanding.
Many of you know that I was the New Testament chair of the ESV translation. This project has consumed thousands of hours, most of them enjoyable. I am happy with the ESV. As a formal equivalent translation done in the translation stream of the KJV / ASV / RSV, it has proven itself. And while the committee will be constantly looking at issues and questions submitted by people like you, my work on the ESV was largely done.
But a few weeks ago I received a most amazing email from my friend Mark Strauss (who I have been picking on lately in this blog). What was amazing was that just the night before I was sharing with Robin (my wife) how much I missed translation work. I learned so much on the ESV, things I have never taught in any Greek class at any level. I told her, “Wouldn’t it be amazing to be in the NIV committee? I would love it if I were asked to be on it.”
Mark’s letter was precisely that. Followed up by a formal letter from Doug Moo, the Chairman, I have been asked to be part of the CBT. And a few days ago I said yes.
Here is my concern. I don’t want anyone to think that I am unhappy with the ESV or that I am “jumping ship.” I am not. I thoroughly enjoy reading and studying from the ESV. But if you have been reading this blog very long, you will know that I strongly believe in different translation philosophies, that there is not a “One Size Fits All,” and that the translator’s responsibility is to be consistent with that stated philosophy. So I have no trouble looking at the NIV’s translation philosophy and working within those guidelines.
My biggest concern was the gender language, and the mishandling of the TNIV rollout that has been such a problem, and how that could happen again. You should know that I have been absolutely assured that the gender language is truly on the table for discussion, and since so much of the committee has changed, it is not a forgone conclusion as to how this committee will vote. Without that assurance, I could not have joined.
I am not expecting “brother and sister” to go away (nor should it, given the NIV’s translation philosophy), and thankfully humankind” never occurs in the NIV/TNIV. What an ugly word! But “mankind” continues to be used as a generic term in English, as does “man.” I know there are people who disagree with this point, but the fact that it is used generically over and over again cannot truly be debated; the evidence is everywhere. Have you noticed the new advertisement for the Prius: “Harmony Between Man, Nature And Machine.” I’ll bet Toyota would be glad to sell to women. And personally, I use “they” as an indefinite singular. But who knows where the NIV 2011 will go and how I will vote.
Anyway, this is all to say that I am excited about being able to get back into translation work, but please do not read this as a reaction to the ESV. To do so would be wrong.
I ended up here, after reading up on the resignation of Bruce Waltke from Reformed Theological Seminary, on account of letting loose his feelings on the veracity of the creation account in Genesis. From there, I found notes about the known sexual sins of two people involved in the NIV translation. Before this, I was reading the collection of choice heretical quotes by Wescott and Hort which you can find on the internet ... and all of this taken together led me here. If so much work is derived from the opinions of these men, how many errors have been absorbed? How many flies can the perfume of Christ handle?
Perhaps, while you produce your rad modernisation, of the English language of even the 1984 NIV (what does that word "even" mean?), you can also publish, as an easy download somewhere, the Greek and Hebrew text you settled on. There is no reason to keep this locked away: it should not become the exclusive property of a publisher, or a trade secret known only to English language translators. Publish the Greek/Hebrew files, publish an MD5SUM of them so that it is easy to check that they are genuine, and let the world and the church see that you have done your work well. Make them (c) 2011 Zondervan or whatever, and set licence or trademark conditions that allow free distribution, and derived works, and prohibit using the chosen name on modified versions. Put them on the official web site as "free supplementary material". If you're in the mood, and your detailed notes are good, publish those too. Your edition has to compete with the NET bible, which does this, but not in Greek.
A couple things. First, I know nothing of any supposed sexual sins by members of the committee. I am new to the committee and don't know the people who are no longer on the committee, but I would be shocked if the information you have is actually true. Be that as it may, and I hesitate to say anything that might seem to support sexual sins, which I don't, but God uses all imperfect beings to do his work, people like you and me, people who have to deal with our own secret (or perhaps not so secret) sins. I wonder how different the church would be if it viewed, lets say, anger or pride, as serious sins. Would something a person taught be viewed as invalid if it were latter found out that he or she had trouble with anger or bitterness. Just something to think about.
As far as the Greek text is concerned, I would address that request to the committee through Douglas Moo. I don't know the policy on this and he would. When I meet with them in a couple months I will ask.
I'm very glad you will be on the NIV translation committee. I took a semester course in Koine Greek in order to have a base on which to continue studying on my own. I'm now using your BBG (2d Ed) and workbook for self study. Your approach is most refreshing. I do have one suggestion for your upcoming work. Please make sure that OT quotations in the NT are clearly, and easily, identified (via formatting, typeface, quotation marks, etc.). Thanks for your good and faithful service to the teaching and translating of God's chosen NT lanuage.
Glad you could join the NIV revision team, Bill. Your Greek scholarship should add even more credibility to the CBT.
Hi Bill, Just another thought for you. You may want to enlist the help of a truck driver, waitress, and a college student as you begin your work with the 2011 team. If they don't "get it" who will? Anyhow, good luck on such a big job.
Brad Schneck
Hi Bill, I fully agree that "humankind" is an ugly word!
Ironically, I am using your Basics of Biblical Greek book for a class, and in the Chapter 4 vocabulary, you provide "humankind" as a definition for both anthropos and kosmos! I don't think much would be lost if "humankind" were omitted.
That definition was included for those teachers who do not want to use "man" or "mankind." I don't use the term myself.
Bill, thanks for the reply. In seminary, I'm required to use gender neutral terms in my papers. In this particular case, I use "humanity" over "humankind." I think it sounds more natural.
Isn't censureship interesting. In the "Academy" and what that is supposed to mean, people should be allowed to speak as they feel is appropriate. I think humanity is better than humankind. It feels more, well, human.
As a view from the bleachers, thank you for accepting the CBT's offer; the translation will no doubt be positively affected by your input. It would be disappointing to limit your translation knowledge to one philosophy and I pray others see your desire to make a wider impact as a ministry rather than "jumping ship."
I appreciated your dilligence handling the Word of Life with care. May God bless you as you pass through this opened door of opportunity!
Hello Bill,
I came across your blog while preparing a wedding message using 1 Cor. 13 when your blog on the passage came up. Thanks for that blog. I was also interested to see that you were a part of the ESV team as well. I find this a valuable translation for my studies. I am a Pastor who has very limited Greek skills and none in Hebrew, so I really do need a reliable translation to study from and the ESV is my primary source (because I am not functional in Greek).
However for preaching from I still use the NIV for two main reasons. Reason one is that, that is the translation the majority of the people in my congregation are using. Reason two is that the ESV is at a reading level that is above my congregation. Many in my congregation are Loggers or work in the lumber mills and some have not completed High School.
I am glad to see that you are joining the 2011 translation team. Because I don't believe the ESV will replace the NIV, we really do need an updated NIV.
I hope that the mistakes with the TNIV were well learned and that a fresh approach will be taken with the 2011. After checking out the 2011 website I am hopeful.
I am thankful for both translations of the Bible as I believe they both are doing their part in furthering His Kingdom in their own specific ways.
Blessings,
Brad
Congratulations Bill! You'll be a valuable addition to the NIV Committee. I look forward to the revision. I'll use it along with my ESV.