"For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach- and that for the sake of dishonest gain. - Titus 1:10-11 (NIV)
Do you remember when Today's New International Version (TNIV) appeared on market shelves, causing controversy throughout churches by redefining gender-specific texts with more neutral ones? The new version was said to replace "he" and "him" with "they" or "them", thus "allowing" women to be deacons and pastors and "assume authority" over men. It completely changed the meaning of the text, and was not received well by the evangelical community. I remember this vividly because I actually did a speech about it in high school!
Unfortunately for Zondervan, the lack of support actually restricted the TNIV from flourishing. Rather than take a hint, the company decided to sneak in their changes through a back door - update the real NIV and stop printing the original.
Although the printed version will be releasing in stores sometime later this month, you can find an online version at Bible Gateway. I decided to check it out for myself to see if the inconsistencies were actually true. The scary thing is, the changes are even more subtle than they were in the TNIV.
Let's take a look at 1 Timothy 3:
Let's take a look at 1 Timothy 3:
The new 2011 NIV speaks of the pastor's role, v. 2 "Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach....." |
This change is not a gender issue, but a subtle way around divorce and remarriage.
The original NIV (the 1984 version from now on), states, "Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach...." |
Do you see the difference? Do you agree with it?
How about another one - this time, describing the deacon:
The 2011 NIV states, v.8 "In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain." v.11 "In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything." |
The 1984 NIV states, v.8 "Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain." v.11 "In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything." |
This one is a gender-neutral issue. The deacons are not specified as men in verse 8 in the updated version, and by taking out "their wives" in verse 11 and replacing it with "the women", Zondervan has again subtly stated that women are allowed to be deacons.
This blows my mind. What happened to the true authority of the Scriptures?
Douglas Moo, chairman of the Committee on Bible Translation has this to say about the new NIV:
In the video, he says, "95% of the original NIV is preserved in this update." That makes me feel real confident.
More than ever, we need to be vigilant and alert of the deceivers slowly working their way into our midst. If we lower our defenses, even slightly, we will find ourselves caught up in an evangelical mess of apostasy.
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand
against the devil's schemes." - Ephesians 6:11
against the devil's schemes." - Ephesians 6:11
Other Resources:
- FAQ About the NIV Revision (Zondervan)
- Major group says it cannot endorse NIV 2011 Bible (Baptist Press)
- TNIV Going Off the Market, New Version of the NIV Coming in 2011 (Gospel Coalition)
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