Does it really matter?
Zondervan, the nation's largest Bible publisher, is busy defending itself on several fronts. Earlier this week Rolling Stone magazine, the so-called bible of rock'n'roll, reversed itself, agreeing to allow Zondervan to buy an advertisement.
The controversy over its "Today's New International Version" is just erupting. Some say the new translation, due in stores mid-February, does more than change words, it tampers with theology as words have different connotations.
In Today's International Version, Hebrews 12:7, reads:
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
The King James Version reads:
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Critics say people know that the Bible is an ancient document. Paul Caminiti, president of Bible publishing for Zondervan tells USA Today: "When Jesus was on the Earth, he came to people's level. He didn't say, 'Come to my level.' "
Comments (3)
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For me, the following two paragraphs from the USA Today article say it as well as any theologian ever could:
"For Christians, every word change is measured against the Scripture's purpose: to guide a reader's life in this world by the light of God and to give readers the prospect of eternal life by bringing them, through Jesus, to salvation."
"Because each verb, noun and pronoun shapes a vision of God and humanity, errors are like miscalculating the path of a rocket: One tiny navigational shift can send everything spiraling in the wrong direction."
Posted on January 25, 2005 7:52 PM
(My updated profile)
Posted on January 25, 2005 7:53 PM
I need some clarification here. Are we talking about the merits of the latest Bible version, or about Rolling Stone's decisions regarding the purchase of advertising space for it?
Regarding the Bible version, I haven't seen it, but I think such translations need to be done both with accuracy and attention to the ideas being communicated. I have no clue how this one holds up in these areas, so I can't say how it matters.
Rregarding Rolling Stone, I think they should be allowed to decide who they sell ad space to on their own. It matters not a bit whether this item gets advertised there... it'll sell in the Christian bookstores just as well either way.
Posted on January 26, 2005 11:35 AM