The delicate task of revising the Bible
When does reading the Bible produce strife among 海角大神s? When a revision of the text is undertaken. So hold onto your hats as an updated version of the of the Bible (the bestselling Bible in North America) is prepared for release in 2011.
The intent, says , the Colorado-based ministry that holds the NIV copyright, is to update and improve the text.聽 The last time the group tried to introduce revisions 鈥� a decade ago 鈥� the effort聽 "fell flat," reports the , due to disagreements over questions of gender. For instance, should "the sons of God" become "the children of God"? And should references to "brothers" be changed to read "brothers and sisters"?
, a professor at Wheaton College and chairman of the Committee on Bible Translation, told the Star that this time around the group is committed to 鈥渁 complete review of every gender related change.鈥�
鈥淚 am not sure how it鈥檚 going to come out,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have a genuine, authentic review process.... Everything is on the table." He did indicate, however, that "most changes will have nothing to do with gender inclusivity."
He suggested that (the controversial text produced a decade ago) provides "a glimpse of likely changes." Some examples of those changes: In TNIV, Mary is said to be "pregnant" rather than 鈥渨ith child鈥� and in one of the Psalms, the verse, 鈥淭he Lord watches over the alien鈥� is amended to read 鈥淭he Lord watches over the foreigner.鈥�
The NIV was first published in 1978 and there are more than 300 million copies in print worldwide. According to its publishers and distributors, the NIV accounts for 30 percent of Bibles sold in North America.
