However, the new 2011 translation of the NIV Bible is already creating a controversy even before it hit the stores.
In the old translation, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar.” The new translation uses “brother or sister” that includes more gender-neutral language and is drawing criticism from some conservatives who argue the changes can alter the theological message.
However, the new 2011 translation does NOT change referring to God as “He” and “the Father.” But it does avoid using “he” or “him” as the default reference to an unspecified person.
Another example is, Mark 4:25 in the 1984 NIV translation, “Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”
The new 2011 translation says, “Those who have will be given more; as for those who do not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” The new translation is using the gender-neutral language using “them” instead of “he” or “him”.
The Southern Baptist Convention, Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and other conservative church ministries, who believe only men can be the leaders in church, are against the new NIV translation and its gender-neutral language.
On the other hand, some are positive towards the new translation believing that the modern English and the gender-neutral language will help the today’s audience to have a better understanding of God’s Word.
The new 2011 translated version of NIV will be available in stores sometime in March.
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