Many in our church will remember Doug Moo preaching last year on the book of Romans. Moo is the chairman of the committee for Bible translation on the updated NIV. Darryl Dash recently interviewed him about the translation.
Today marks the online release of an update to the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, the first time it has been revised since 1984. Although the print form will not be ready for release until next year, the text is available at BibleGateway.com and Biblica.com beginning today.
I had the privilege of interviewing Douglas Moo, Chair of The Committee on Bible Translation, when the update was first announced. The Committee is an independent body of global biblical scholars solely responsible for the translation of the NIV.
Dr. Moo has been kind enough to agree to an interview once again.
Thanks, by the way, to Chris Brauns, Stanley K. Fowler (Academic Dean and Professor of Theological Studies of Heritage Seminary), and Trevin Wax for suggesting questions.
How and why did the Committee change their philosophy from the release of the original NIV to the new version?
I don’t think that the philosophy has changed in any significant way since the first translators began their work in the 1960s. The NIV has always been about trying to reproduce the experience of the first audience of the Bible for contemporary English-speakers, blending transparency to the original form and structure of the text with English that communicates naturally and effectively.
Did the controversy over the release of the TNIV modify the translation philosophy in any significant way?
No. The TNIV has many supporters and many critics. We listened to them all, assessing whatever they had to say in light of our mandate to maintain an NIV translation that is both accurate and accessible.
Read the rest here.
Hmmm… another attempt by Z-van to stave off the growing popularity of the ESV. TNIV, NrIV, 2010 NIV (which should be called the twenty-ten IV)… they are losing their identity. When I have to ask “which NIV?” then I think it’s a problem.
I have read the updated NIV on Biblegateway.com and was not impressed at all. There were a few improvements but it felt like I was reading a modified TNIV without it being so politically correct. I will not be using the NIV (Not Inspired Version) nor will I recommend it. ESV is the best modern translation out there.
If for no other reason, I must comment so that there will be comments from three different “Chris” types.
I agree with Moo’s answer that there is not going to be one single translation.
I have memorized and preached a great deal from the NIV years. But, I did make the switch to the ESV. Posts like this one, http://www.chrisbrauns.com/2007/08/13/esv-vs-niv-in-philemon-22/ , explain why.