I am disappointed over the International Bible Society's decision to withdraw their endorsement from the Guidelines for Translation of Gender-Related Language in Scripture. These guidelines were formulated in 1997 with great care and with the full participation of IBS. Their intent was to ensure that future translation of the original Greek and Hebrew texts of the Bible would be done consistently and accurately, in accordance with the accepted principles of translation.
When the Conference on Gender-Related Language in Scripture came to a close, I believed that all participating parties shared a firm commitment to the guidelines upon which we had agreed. That is why it is particularly unfortunate that the IBS has now chosen to go its own way. In so doing, it risks dividing the Christian community again, as well as damaging its own reputation and undermining the wonderful work in which it has been engaged for more than 150 years.
Being neither a theologian nor a linguist, I am not qualified to make an assessment of the translation accuracy of the recently released TNIV. However, I have now received sufficient feedback from a large number of evangelical scholars to convince me that this new work is a step backward in the field of biblical translation. Accordingly, I am now adding my name to the list of those who disagree with the liberties IBS has taken with God's Word in the new translation.
I love the Scriptures and I know them to be the very words of God to His creation. Like most evangelical Christians, I want my Bible to contain an accurate translation of the canonical Hebrew and Greek texts. Accordingly, I will continue to speak out against any effort that alters God's Word or toys with translation methodology for the sake of "political correctness.
(NOTE: If Dr. Dobson really wants his Bible to "contain an accurate translation of the canonical Hebrew and Greek texts," then he need look no further than the 1611 King James Bible. However, I doubt if he ever will. - Brother Sleeve)
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