tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126343678626870694.post5211436067407692252..comments2024-03-27T21:30:14.167-07:00Comments on Chastened Intuitions: does the new NIV distort the Scriptures? - part 2Carmen Imeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02667112934218176967noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126343678626870694.post-65192040277761079372022-10-17T08:09:02.419-07:002022-10-17T08:09:02.419-07:00The 2011 NIV renders the word as "proclaim&qu...The 2011 NIV renders the word as "proclaim" in Acts 9:15. The 1984 NIV ("carry") is closer to the Greek. I was likely reading my own translation from the Greek in that interview.Carmen Joy Imeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02499732371242456478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126343678626870694.post-81295598102064956822022-10-08T09:14:39.065-07:002022-10-08T09:14:39.065-07:00I saw you referencing YOUR NIV in a IVP interview....I saw you referencing YOUR NIV in a IVP interview. You verbally spoke of the KJV several times. But wanted to make sure you quoted ACTS 9:15 from YOUR NIV as to be certain. The word in reference was “BARE”. The whole point of your book/teaching. Sadly the NIV didn’t bare the word you were wanting. Bare the name of God. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126343678626870694.post-83205180561662387052015-11-04T09:29:33.255-08:002015-11-04T09:29:33.255-08:00Thanks for your comment! I'm glad this series ...Thanks for your comment! I'm glad this series has been helpful for you in dispelling some of the myths surrounding the NIV, and I appreciate your thoughtful concern. You've put your finger on something significant — the pervasive influence of the King James Version on the English language. A recent book by Alister McGrath entitled "In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible and How it Changed a Nation, a Language, and a Culture" demonstrates this admirably well. Surprisingly, the KJV continues to be the best selling Bible version and the most widely read, in spite of its increasingly archaic language. It is indeed well loved, and it has no doubt improved the diction of those who read it. <br /><br />The irony of this is that when the KJV was first translated, the goal was to communicate in common parlance, not in an elevated style. It sounds especially eloquent to us in large part because the English language has changed since the KJV was produced. The NIV translators are operating under the same principle as the KJV translators: to communicate the Word of God in a language people can understand. The original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts do not exhibit an "elevated" style compared to other literature of their day.<br /><br />While you may be right that in the case of Psalm 1:1 a certain "earnestness" is lost in the NIV, I suspect we could find multiple other examples where the opposite could be demonstrated. In other words, I don't believe there is a thorough attempt to eliminate the appearance of human effort, only a concern for transparency in translation. I'm convinced that for the vast majority of English speakers, reading the NIV regularly would enhance their literacy.Carmen Imeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02667112934218176967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126343678626870694.post-28807538961133622572015-11-03T12:02:42.990-08:002015-11-03T12:02:42.990-08:00I am enjoying your input on this subject. I put a...I am enjoying your input on this subject. I put aside the NIV after two decades due to the incessant rumor mill surrounding the 2011 release. I am glad to know that my fears may not have been very well founded. Having said that, there is one concern I still maintain - but it is not regarding the general accuracy of the NIV or the integrity of its translators. The Bible needs to be accessible, yes. 100% agreed. What worries me is what appears to be the confusion between "accessible" and "pedestrian." I began reading the Bible voraciously at 19 years of age. I am 44 now, and credit the Bible as the primary vehicle God used to enhance my literacy and deepen my appreciation/use of language. I bless the Lord for using His word to challenge my mind, which in turn deepened my understanding and my inward grasp of the depth and richness of His communication. Advising that I refrain from "walking in the counsel of the wicked" carries profounder implications than "not walking in step" with them. The latter teaches me to simply avoid doing what they do. The former teaches me to be careful about how I hear and how I consider what they propose as wisdom, advice, or direction. Your articles are helping me put to rest any fears that the NIV is intentionally subverting the scriptures. But I remain concerned that it might be keeping pace with our propensity to define anything provoking earnestness or effort in our approach as a barrier. Does creating a path of least resistance in our reading of the scriptures create a path of least resistance in our application of them? Just a thought.JSLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07137153008500614927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126343678626870694.post-1830205360368798552015-10-18T15:35:10.266-07:002015-10-18T15:35:10.266-07:00Carmen, Thanks for your review and for using real ...Carmen, Thanks for your review and for using real life examples of how someone might struggle with understanding a text. I'm glad that there is a group of scholars committed to God's Word as revealed truth who are working to make the Bible understandable to all. I appreciate your encouragement for people to compare a couple translations to help in their understanding. This is important for all to remember. Looking forward to your future posts. P.T.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05043654571547412382noreply@blogger.com