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What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

FROM: 8/4/02 Radio Program

Question:

Please comment on the New International Version.

Answer:

The New International Version (NIV) is certainly a popular version. However, I cannot give it a wholehearted recommendation like I could the KJV, NKJV, American Standard, etc. In the particular copy I have, in the preface, the Committee who put this version together said they were striving "for more than a word-for-word translation." In contrast, the American Standard, in times past, was criticized because it was a literal word-for-word translation, and seemingly more difficult for people to read. Evidently, the Committee for the NIV wanted to avoid such criticism, so among other things, various copies of the work were submitted to "stylistic consultants" at times (Source: NIV preface). In my Bible study, I want something that is as accurate, and as close to the original as possible, it doesn't matter how "stylish" it might be.

Further, we find the NIV reduces Mark 16:9-20 to a footnote. I cannot condone, nor commend such. Mark 16:9-20 has as much right to be in the Bible as any other passage. In fact, in the edition of the NIV which is on my shelf, they have purposed separated Mark 16:9-20 from the rest of the chapter, and inserted their comments before continuing with the chapter. In Mark 16, they stopped "translating" and went to commenting on the text!

There are places in which the NIV speaks of man's "sinful nature." Yet, this is a doctrine of Calvinism, and not a Bible doctrine.

There are other problems that are apparent after reading and comparing the NIV to reputable versions on the market today. While it is true I own a copy of the NIV (and other versions) as a supplement to other versions which I use in study, I would not recommend people use this version as their sole Bible, the one from which they continually read and study.

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