So, one of the perks of being a minister is receiving some pretty sweet deals. A month-or-so ago Kory called to tell me to flip through one of my usual “throw away” magazines that comes across my desk. It’s a Zondervan catalog full of Zondervan-stuff. Well, on a particular page, as Kory pointed out was a number to call to receive brand-new copies of a brand-new translation, the TNIV – Today’s New International Version of the Bible.
I called instantly.
Stevan NEVER passes up this kind of freebie opportunity.
Yesterday, UPS delivered 6 books to my office! Three copies of the TNIV in its entirety (two hard-bound, one thin-line); a copy of THE STORY – at first glance it looks like a novel-written version of the Bible based on the TNIV; a copy of “Perspectives on the TNIV from leading scholars and pastors” – which is pretty interesting to have; and “Beginning the Journey” – looks like a guidebook for someone interested in knowing about Christianity.
All of this, along with a 30-minute DVD arrived yesterday! Free of charge! Again, I tell you – being a Pastor has its perks!
So, today I had a couple minutes to pop in the DVD and check it out. The DVD goes in depth to tell the why, how, and what of the TNIV translation and does a VERY high-quality job at doing so.
From translation differences to target audience, it was all covered in the DVD – which I would LOVE to loan to anyone willing to watch.
I have high hopes for the TNIV – an updated “NIV” because of the constant change in the English language.
Want an example? Here ya go!
John 3:16 (NIV): “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 (TNIV): “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Just kidding there’s no difference between those verses!
Here’s a REAL example:
Matthew 5:9 (NIV): “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:9 (TNIV): “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
The TNIV seeks to produce gender-accurate language – and in my estimation does a great job of it from what I’ve read so far!
This is not “another” paraphrase – this is a genuine Bible translation! The gender-accurate changes will cause some heads to turn, but translating the Bible this way does not change the meaning in any way – it actually gives us a clear understanding of what the original audience understood it to mean!
I’m a fan of the TNIV.
