Evangelical Lutheran Synod Doctrine Committee Recommends Against NIV 2011
Kudos to our friends in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, whose doctrine committee has released a statement asserting that the NIV 2011 is not a good choice for use as a Bible translation by its member congregations. I hope the Wisconsin Synod is willing to listen to their partner church.
Doctrine Committee recommendation regarding Bible translations
Many congregations of the ELS currently use the NIV (1984) Bible for worship and Christian education. This edition of the NIV will no longer be available for purchase at the end of 2011. It has been replaced with the NIV (2011) which makes significant changes to the text of the NIV (1984). These changes have diminished the accuracy of the NIV. Therefore, based on preliminary study of the NIV (2011), the Doctrine Committee recommends against the use of the NIV (2011). The Doctrine Committee recommends for use in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod translations such as: New King James Version (NKJV), English Standard Version (ESV), An American Translation (Beck, AAT), and the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB95). These translations are accurate and understandable. If a new Lutheran translation is prepared in the future this also could be an option for use in the ELS.
So, will CPH continue publishing the NIV Concordia Self-Study Bible? Or maybe look at publishing a Beck (AAT) study Bible?? I love the notes, etc. in The Lutheran Study Bible, but the ESV translation isn’t quite as easy to recommend to not-the-best readers.
We will continue publishing the NIV Concordia Self-Study Bible as long as we are able to, but we will not be using the NIV2011 and won’t be allowed, apparently, to use the old version of the NIV much longer. The Beck Bible is a translation that’s nice to have to compare and read along with more accurate and literal translations, but it is far too idiosyncratic to use in a study Bible. The ESV is actually, at this point, the best choice for a translation to use in a study Bible, and that’s the one I highly recommend.
The ELS DC has done good, thorough study in this matter. The ELS takes Bible, catechism, and hymn book as serious business.
I don’t get why the publisher would stop selling the 1984 version. It was a real money maker. They will lose a ton of market share. Go figure.
I thank the Lord for the ELS Doctrine Committee! Martin Luther once said, “Either one admits the truth is absolute and stands for it or he is against it.” The ELS can be assured of the Lord’s blessing on this decision.