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Basics
Q: What is the TNIV?
A: The TNIV is “Today’s New International Version”; an
uncompromisingly accurate Bible translation in today’s language from the
translators of the most trusted Bible translation, the NIV. The TNIV is
at the heart of Zondervan and IBS’s mission to share God’s Word with
those in need in ways they can understand.
One
group especially in need is 18- to 34-year-olds. Barna Research Group
estimates that eight million 18- to 34-year-olds are on the verge of
leaving the church. But there is hope. Thom Rainer’s research shows that
18- to 34-year-olds are the most spiritually open age demographic.
With
advancements in biblical scholarship, clarity and gender accuracy, the
TNIV is a new translation that will engage today’s younger generations
with God’s Word. To further Bible engagement, the TNIV will be published
in innovative formats to help 18- to 34-year olds experience the mystery
and wonder of the Bible.
Q: Who translated the text?
A: The Committee on Bible Translation, or CBT, translated the TNIV.
The CBT—a group of leading evangelical scholars from around the world—is
the same body that translated the NIV, the most read and most trusted
modern English translation on the planet. CBT members come from some of
the most-renowned evangelical Christian colleges and seminaries in the
world, including Wheaton Graduate School and Westmont College. The CBT
is completely independent and its members represent a wide array of
evangelical denominations.
Q: When is the full TNIV Bible coming out?
A: The TNIV is available
in stores now!
Q: What products will be released as part of the TNIV
launch?
A: The TNIV is the biggest Bible translation launch in history
and we are supporting it with a full line of innovative TNIV Bibles,
meeting the needs of spiritually intrigued 18- to 34-year-olds.
We
will also publish a full assortment of reference products to support the
TNIV, including The Strongest TNIV Exhaustive Concordance. Some
of our TNIV products include our men’s and women’s devotional Bibles (Strive
and True Identity) and an innovative Bible called The
Story, which tells the narrative of the Bible in chronological
order.
The
International Bible Society will also publish TNIV evangelism editions
with a distinctive new typesetting intended to reach 18- to 34-year-olds
with God’s Word. All TNIV text Bibles will also share pagination, making
group study, reference and teaching easier. This is the first Bible
translation to ever offer this feature throughout its entire line of
text Bibles.
Q: What is the relationship between Zondervan and IBS?
A: IBS is the copyright holder of the NIV and TNIV, while
Zondervan is the commercial publishing partner, holding exclusive North
American publishing rights to the NIV and TNIV. IBS produces Scripture
and Scripture resources for ministries only.
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TNIV vs. NIV
Q: Will this text replace the NIV?
A: No. The TNIV offers a new choice in translations with
contemporary language, but in no way diminishes the need for the NIV.
Because of its tremendous following, Zondervan and IBS will continue to
publish the NIV without change. The NIV is the leading modern English
translation in the world. With more than 215 million NIV Bibles sold or
distributed, the NIV will continue to be the translation of choice for
millions.
Q: How does the TNIV differ from the NIV?
A: The TNIV updates language and reflects advances in biblical
scholarship.
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Word changes that more
precisely render the meaning of the original text. For example,
“Christ” is changed to “Messiah” when the underlying Greek functions
as a title.
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Word changes that
reflect a better understanding of the meaning of certain terms in the
original Greek and Hebrew. References to “the Jews” are described more
specifically, such as “the Jews there” or “the Jewish leaders,” when
the context indicates a more precise group of people.
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Changes that clarify
the meaning of language for today’s reader. For example, Mary is said
to be “pregnant” rather than “with child.” Or “the third watch of the
night” is changed to the more understandable “shortly before dawn.”
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Changes made in
paragraph structure, sentence structure, word order, punctuation,
spelling and capitalization as well as word changes based on
contemporary English style.
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Generic language is
used where the meaning of the text was intended to include both men
and women. For example, when it is clear the original text never
intended any exclusive male gender reference, “sons of God” becomes
“children of God,” and “brothers” becomes “brothers and sisters”
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All gender-related
changes in the TNIV are made to update masculine terminology that has
generic intent and is often misunderstood by today’s generations.
References originally intended to be
masculine remain masculine in the TNIV.
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Accuracy
Q: How do I know I’m reading an accurate translation?
A: The Committee on Bible Translation is comprised of the top
evangelical linguists and scholars in the world. They come from a
variety of denominations and backgrounds, creating a system of checks
and balances that ensures the most accurate translation possible. Single
words and verses were studied for hours to determine how to accurately
render the meaning of the original texts in today’s language. Since
translation in not an exact science, translation by a wide-ranging
committee of trusted scholars is the best way to guarantee accuracy.
Q: Is the TNIV more accurate than the NIV?
A: The best way to judge whether a text is accurate is to
determine whether the translation accurately transfers the intended
meaning of the text to the reader.
The TNIV is the most accurate translation for 18- to 34-year-olds
because it is written in today’s language.
As Dr. Ronald Youngblood, longtime CBT member, says, “English is always
changing. As a result, we must continue the work of translation to
guarantee that the Bible is accurately communicated in the language of
the day.” So how do you understand the language of the day? How does
someone twenty years younger understand language?
Both
the NIV and TNIV are extremely accurate translations for their intended
audiences. However, the TNIV is more precise in its language, creating a
highly readable Bible for today’s generations that reflects the most
recent advances in biblical scholarship.
Q: Does this text pander to any social agenda?
A: Absolutely not. Social agenda must never be a component of Bible
translation. The overriding concern with any translation is to produce a
version that is accurate and understandable. All social and cultural
biases must be discarded in the interest of accuracy and clarity.
The
CBT draws from a wide-ranging body of evangelical scholars from
different institutions and denominations. As an independently
functioning body, no interest group, Bible society, or publisher
dictates its translation policy.
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Gender-Accurate Language
Q: Is the TNIV gender neutral?
A: The TNIV is not gender neutral; it is in fact “gender
accurate.” Gender neutrality suggests the removal of specific male or
female attributes. The TNIV does not remove these attributes or “neuter”
any passages of Scripture. The TNIV uses generic language only
where the meaning of the text was intended to include both men and
women. These changes reflect a more precise rendering of Greek and
Hebrew words.
Half
of all major Bible translations use some gender-accurate language,
especially translations like the NLT (Tyndale) and the NCV (Nelson). But
even translations like the the NKJV and the Holman Christian Standard
Bible use gender-accurate language.
Q: Would this translation refer to God by using such
terminology as “she” or “our Father-Mother”?
A: Absolutely not. It is the commitment and firm belief of the
CBT that masculine terminology remains masculine when the original texts
use the masculine form.
Q: Why has the issue of the gender translation surfaced
in recent years?
A: The English language keeps on changing. When Merriam-Webster
updated its collegiate dictionary in 2003, lexicographers made more than
100,000 changes and added more than 10,000 new words and phrases that
did not appear in 1993. Even school and college textbooks have changed
over the years, as “men” rarely refers to both men and women today.
Now
consider the fact that the NIV was first published more than 30 years
ago.
Q: Are there any other gender-accurate Bible translations
on the market?
A: Yes, in fact half of all major Bible translations include some
gender-accurate language, especially translations like the NLT (Tyndale)
the NCV (Nelson) and the ESV (Crossway).
Q: If I wanted to know more about the language issue,
where might I turn?
A: Here are two books written by leading scholars that discuss the
language issue in a balanced way. Both books have been published
independently of the International Bible Society, the CBT, or Zondervan.
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The Inclusive Language Debate: A Plea for Realism
(by D.A. Carson, Baker)
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Distorting Scripture? The Challenge of Bible
Translation & Gender Accuracy
(by Mark L. Strauss, InterVarsity Press)
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General Questions
Q: Will IBS continue to update the TNIV?
A: Yes, just as all major translations undergo updates, so too
will the TNIV. It is the ongoing mission of the CBT to provide the most
accurate translation possible, faithfully communicating the original
meaning of the texts.
Q: There are dozens of English translations. Why do we
need another one?
A: Research has shown that there is an alarming increase in the
number of 18- to 34-year-olds on the verge of disengaging from the
church. We need to find ways to reach them with the timeless truth of
God’s word in today’s language. In addition to reaching 18- to
34-year-olds with the Bible, we also know that English usage is changing
and that discoveries by scholars continue to enhance our understanding
of ancient biblical texts. A variety of translations are useful in
helping readers better understand Scriptures.
Q. Will the New Testament text be different from what is
available today? Did you change any of the controversial verses or
language based on feedback from your critics?
A: Yes, the text contains some changes from the current New
Testament. The CBT has been working on this translation for more than 10
years and will continue to scrutinize their own work while seeking input
from over 50 additional evangelical scholars and linguists to ensure the
best translation result. As the CBT has said, the work of translation
never ends.
Q. Can you compare some verses from the TNIV to the NIV?
A:
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Matthew 5:9
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TNIV:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
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NIV:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
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Matthew 14:25
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TNIV: Shortly before
dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
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NIV: During the fourth
watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
See more comparisons
demonstrating increased accuracy
| clearer English |
gender accuracy
(PDF)
A
Harris Interactive Poll conducted in 2004 concluded that 77% of
respondents preferred the TNIV text to the NIV text, and 72% felt it was
easier to understand. These results again emphasize the need for
Zondervan and IBS to publish the TNIV.
Q: What are the launch plans for the TNIV? Given the
controversy with the New Testament launch are you going to be quieter
this time?
A. The TNIV is the biggest translation launch in the history of
Bible publishing. The TNIV will target the increasingly disconnected but
spiritually interested 18- to 34-year-old demographic. Zondervan and
IBS will support the TNIV with a full assortment of Bibles and Scripture
products. And as the commercial publisher of the TNIV, Zondervan will
put its resources behind an innovative, large-scale marketing and
advertising campaign.
Reaching 18- to 34-year-olds with the Bible is something Zondervan and
IBS strongly believe in. In fact, Zondervan recently reorganized its
Bible Group into two teams; one of these teams is to develop Bibles
specifically for 18- to 34-year-olds. And IBS continues to develop new
ways to reach young people with compelling and relevant Scripture
resources. We believe the TNIV will radically engage new generations
with the Bible for many years to come.
Q. What can you tell me about Zondervan’s affiliation
with the Colorado Springs Guidelines?
A: In 1997, Zondervan signed the Colorado Springs Guidelines on
translation methodology. As a publisher and not a translator, much of
the document did not apply to Zondervan. However, Zondervan did agree to
continue publishing the NIV without change, something that we will
continue to do even after the TNIV is released.
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Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs)
