An open letter to the NIV©2010 translators

It is sad to think that the best minds in the church today are so careless and unspiritual. But it seems clear that Dr. Moo and others are more interested in a resurge in profits than an upswing in Bible study and spirituality. Certainly people are "over" the initial infatuation with the newest English Bible translation, and are looking at other versions, so NIV sales have gone down for that reason. And certainly there are those who want a more liberal and especially gender-neutral translation, after 50 (or perhaps 80) years of radical feminism pervading the English speaking world.

But now these scholars have once again assumed that those of us who aren't hanging out in the ivory towers are unaware of their motives and uninterested in the esoteric subtleties of Scripture translation. So they are tinkering with words in the new 2010 version of the NIV, primarily (I am convinced) to bolster their profits and palliate those who would reinvent the roles of men and women according to the corrupted sensibilities of the vast majority in the 21st Century. This is a grave mistake on the part of Dr. Moo and his colleagues.

I find it not only strange but hypocritical that the International Bible Society, which owns the copyright of the NIV, is so sensitive to the change in its own direction that they felt they should rename themselves (now they are called Biblica) while the rather meaningful, but unnecessary, changes to the NIV did NOT, in their sensitive opinions, require the translation to be renamed. It surprised me when the Today's NIV (tNIV) came out. But it shocks me that they are introducing a new translation with the same name as an old one. This is hypocrisy and dishonesty of a glaring nature, particularly when they unveiled it on BibleGateway without any notice at all that it was a new version. And they call this "transparency", claiming it is even one of their goals in the new translation. I know they have not demonstrated transparency in the more important matter of doing business; I don't really know what transparency even means in terms of translation. Both matters are disturbing.

I used the word "unnecessary", and for this reason the NIV©2010 is all the more disturbing. For nearly 500 years, the King James version, with all its errors and ambiguities was sufficient for generations of English-speaking Christians. But Dr. Moo would have us believe that in 30 years since the original NIV, this translation has become "dated". It is an insult to our intelligence (we've come to expect this from arrogant liberal theologians.) Another disturbing problem.

The International Bible Society should do the RIGHT THING, not the profitable thing. After all, the Bible is the word of God, painstakingly translated by men who came to agreement in an honest attempt to really translate, not interpret the Scriptures. Update your tNIV if you like, and continue publishing that translation with (so called) minor changes. This we could accept. Of course, that translation never made you any money, perhaps now it will. But sirs, you are hindering the whole Church by your tinkering. And you are breaking your own promises. Think again! And do not change the NIV itself. You do not have the right, powerful and wise as you may be. Even owning the copyright, you do not have the right. It is not your book, it is His.

The RIGHT THING is what you have done in the past: Create a new translation with a new name. The New King James version did this. Everyone does this. They didn't revise the old version and give it the same name. That is dishonest, and you know it is (or used to), everyone knows it. Don't be so arrogant! What has happened to you? Did your stockholders pressure you to do such a fool thing? God have mercy on your souls.

Holiness and the call to preach

A few days ago I had a strange vision, sort of. I saw, or perhaps it was just my imagination, that I was going out to preach, as I have long wanted to do, but have not had the courage or strength or guts or passion. I keep asking myself "Why don't I do this, since I want to do so and God has commanded it?" But this vision or thought came very strongly to my mind: When God answers this prayer, it will be all-consuming. He will not have me part-time, on contract, for a few hours per week. He will make this preaching become something that completely consumes me day and night. It will be as if I have lost myself in doing his work. My job will suffer, my family will feel neglected, my garden will be overgrown with weeds, and my debts will probably mount. But souls will hear the Gospel, and some will believe. Even if most do not believe, they will listen and will welcome me everywhere I go, inviting me here and there, until I am hardly able to keep up with the invitations.

This of course is only what I hope, what I envision, not what I actually want or expect. I see why I have been afraid to even preach openly one time: For once it begins, it will not be stoppable. If I give myself to God, he will have all of me, or none.

Lord, how can we claim to be Christians when we have no interest in or desire for holiness? No boldness t proclaim the Word of the Lord, no obedience to your calling? Lord, heal us from our sins and carnal wandering, to be holy to you, not legalistically rigorous, but devoted to please you, obey you, and have you with us always. Show me your truth.

Lord, I am truly tired of being outwardly harmonious, when inwardly there is cynicism and criticism for everything. Please cleanse me and purify my unclean lips, as you purified Isaiah. Anoint me to preach, Lord, here I am, send me.

He said, "Go and tell this people: " 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." Then I said, "For how long, O Lord?" And he answered: "Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the LORD has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken. And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land."

Father, I want your word. Give it to me, please, that I may have it at least, and if you will embolden me, also give it to others. Bless Ireland, which has been laid waste, by raising up your remnant there. As America is likewise laid waste through the greed of evil men, please raise up a holy seed here. For Jesus' name's sake. Amen