Andy Naselli

Thoughts on Theology

Bible translation

The History of the NIV Translation Controversy

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Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary recently released the seventeenth volume of their journal, and one of the articles is available as a PDF:

William W. Combs, “The History of the NIV Translation Controversy,” Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal 17 (2012): 3–34.

Outline:

  1. Translation History of the NIV
  2. Reception of the NIV
  3. Continued Controversy over Translation Philosophy
  4. The Gender-Inclusive Language Controversy
  5. Today’s New International Version
  6. New International Version 2011
  7. Conclusion

It’s an informative survey.

Update on 3/31/2017: In my latest attempt to explain how to interpret and apply the Bible, I include a chapter on Bible translation (pp. 50–81).

Which Bible Translation Should I Use? A Comparison of 4 Major Recent Versions: ESV, NIV, HCSB, NLT

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coverI’ve been looking forward to this book for a few years:

Andreas J. Köstenberger and David A. Croteau, eds. Which Bible Translation Should I Use? A Comparison of 4 Major Recent Versions. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2012.

Here’s the lineup: [Read more…] about Which Bible Translation Should I Use? A Comparison of 4 Major Recent Versions: ESV, NIV, HCSB, NLT

MacArthur Study Bible in the NIV

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I have a soft spot for The MacArthur Study Bible because it’s one of the first I read through (after this and then this a few times). I thank God for it—though I frequently wished that it was available in more translations than the NKJV. I was delighted when it expanded to the NASB and then the ESV.

Next year it will also be available in the NIV.

Thomas Nelson and Zondervan announced this yesterday:

For the first time, the world-renowned MacArthur Study Bible will be available in the 2011 updated New International Version (NIV) translation text. The Bible will feature John MacArthur’s original 20,000 study notes; an extensive topical index; and numerous charts, maps, outlines and articles.

Publishers Thomas Nelson Inc. and Zondervan are partnering on the project, with Zondervan licensing the NIV translation to Thomas Nelson, which will publish the Bible. The Bible is scheduled to release in Fall 2013.

“I’m delighted that The MacArthur Study Bible notes will now be easily accessible to NIV readers,” MacArthur says. “My prayer is [Read more…] about MacArthur Study Bible in the NIV

HCSB vs. ESV vs. NIV

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Two months ago Liberty University hosted a discussion on Bible translation between three Bible translators:

  1. Ray Clendenen (HCSB)
  2. Wayne Grudem (ESV)
  3. Doug Moo (NIV)

I watched the three presentations and Q&A this week, and they helpfully introduce the issue:

HCSB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQi4zZLZBYY

ESV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J14lPU-8Rjk

NIV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PibUtvls98s

Panel Q&A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwsXHAFR_LI

I’m looking forward to B&H’s book next year that will present four perspectives on Bible translation authored by the three men above plus Philip Comfort (NLT), edited by Dave Croteau and Andreas Köstenberger.

Related:

  1. The Best All-Around Book on Bible Translation
  2. How Not to Argue about Which Bible Translation Is Best

Update on 3/31/2017: In my latest attempt to explain how to interpret and apply the Bible, I include a chapter on Bible translation (pp. 50–81).

Two New Bible Translations

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Recently I’ve been reading two new Bible translations:

  1. The Expanded Bible: Explore the Depths of the Scriptures While You Read. Translated by Tremper Longman III, Mark L. Strauss, and Daniel Taylor. Nashville: Nelson, 2011. 1910 pp. [Preview the front matter and the Gospel of John.]
  2. The Kingdom New Testament: A Contemporary Translation of the New Testament. Translated by N. T. Wright. New York: HarperOne, 2011. 526 pp. [Preview it using Amazon’s “Look Inside” feature.]

Neither translation is one that churches will adopt as their primary one for preaching, teaching, and memorizing. But [Read more…] about Two New Bible Translations

Themelios 36.3

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TGC published the latest issue of Themelios this morning.

I contributed two book reviews:

  1. Review of John Dickson, Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership. (I highlighted this book last month.)
  2. Review of Steven E. Runge, Discourse Grammar of the Greek New Testament: A Practical Introduction for Teaching and Exegesis.

Note also Rod Decker’s “An Evaluation of the 2011 Edition of the New International Version.” (It revises a paper I mentioned in July.) Related to Decker’s article is a recent unpublished one:

William W. Combs. “The History of the NIV Translation Controversy.” A paper presented at the Mid-America Conference on Preaching in Allen Park, MI (hosted by Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary). October 20, 2011 (MP3).

Rod Decker Reviews the Updated NIV

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Rodney J. Decker recently reviewed the updated NIV.

The PDF is 50 pages, but the review itself is under 40 pages. (The appendixes start on page 39.)

I read this review carefully last week, and it’s well done.

Decker is professor of New Testament at Baptist Bible Seminary. He’s the author of several books and articles, including these:

  1. Temporal Deixis of the Greek Verb in the Gospel of Mark with Reference to Verbal Aspect. Studies in Biblical Greek 10. Edited by D. A. Carson. New York: Lang, 2001.
  2. “The English Standard Version: A Review Article.” Journal of Ministry and Theology 8, no. 2 (2004): 5–56.
  3. “Verbal-Plenary Inspiration and Translation.” Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal 11 (2006): 25–61.
  4. Koine Greek Reader: Selections from the New Testament, Septuagint, and Early Christian Writers. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2007.

Update on 3/31/2017: In my latest attempt to explain how to interpret and apply the Bible, I include a chapter on Bible translation (pp. 50–81).

Dan Wallace Reviews the Updated NIV

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Dan Wallace just reviewed the updated NIV in four parts:

  • Part 1: A Selected History of the English Bible
  • Part 2: Praise for the NIV 2011
  • Part 3: Weaknesses in the NIV 2011
  • Part 4: Conclusion

Wallace is professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He’s the author of the popular second-year textbook Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics: An Exegetical Syntax of the New Testament and senior New Testament editor of the NET Bible.

Related:

  1. Rod Decker Reviews the Updated NIV
  2. The Best All-Around Book on Bible Translation
  3. Reproduce the Meaning
  4. Translation and the Doctrine of Inspiration
  5. Thank God for Good Bible Translators and Translations
  6. The Importance of Dignified Translations
  7. Correcting Bible Translations Can Seem Like This at Times
  8. The Problem of Religious Conservatism
  9. How Not to Argue about Which Bible Translation Is Best

Update on 3/31/2017: In my latest attempt to explain how to interpret and apply the Bible, I include a chapter on Bible translation (pp. 50–81).