by Brooke Shambley

Created on: January 22, 2011

In many ways, the New International Version (NIV) 2010 edition of the Bible is no different than the NIV from 1984 or the Today's New International Version (TNIV) released in 2005.  Each version of the NIV was formed by the efforts of the Committee on Bible Translation.  The goal of the Committee on Bible Translation in forming the NIV was to render a Bible that allowed present day readers to clearly understand the Bible in a contemporary English translation.  While the goal was generally met in all three translations, the NIV 2010 has a distinct aspect that separates it completely from the NIV 1984 or the TNIV 2005, the use of gender-inclusive language.

Regardless of one's personal acceptance of the Bible as the word of God, none can dispute that the Bible is a literary masterpiece.  Each book intertwines to create a fluid story of the Israelite people throughout the Old Testament, then moving into the fulfillment of promise in the New Testament.  Much of the background and culture of the Bible is based on the patriarchal system that began as far back as Abraham, the father of the Israelite nation.  The language of both the Old Testament and the New Testament reflect this patriarchal heritage of the Israelite culture.  In the NIV 2010, this literary expression is lost for the sake of gender-inclusive language.

In the NIV 2010, the word father(s) is often replaced with parent(s).  For example in Malachi 4:6, the original NIV text reads, "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”  In contrast, the NIV 2010 edition reads, "He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”  This modification of scripture implemented by the Committee on Bible Translation changes the scriptures background and intent.  In the time this scripture was written, male heirs lead Israel and each of the families of Israel were led by the fathers.  God needed the leader of each family to begin to lead his family with his heart and God was referring to the father’s heart not the mothers.  In a day and age when many fathers’ hearts are far from their children, the original translation is much more poignant and closer to the original intent.  The adjustment of words is an alteration in the intent and meaning of the scripture; therefore, the NIV 2010 is an inadequate choice for scripture study.

While the first two NIV translations are useful and beneficial for any who seek to further their understanding of God's word, the 2010 translation of the New International Version is a hindrance rather than a help.  The integrity of the word of God is vital to studying the word and the New International Version 2010 has been adapted to popular opinion and a modern cultural understanding rather than leaving the word of God to be understood in the context in which it was written.  Finally, for the reader who seeks understanding on where God does include both genders in scriptural references, the reader should seek to further their understanding of the original context and background rather than loosing the patriarchal history to the NIV 2010 translation.

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