Southern Baptists, in convention, recently decided they "could not commend the translation and its use of gender-neutral language" in the updated version of the New International Version (NIV) of the Holy Bible. The vote was 2-1 in favor of a measure by Tim Overton of Muncie, IN that the convention not endorse the NIV.
Southern Baptists repeatedly have affirmed our commitment to the full inspiration and authority of Scripture,” the resolution states. “This translation alters the meaning of hundreds of verses, most significantly by erasing gender-specific details which appear in the original language.”
They tried updating the NIV back in 2005 and it didn't fly then either. When you're committed to male headship, you may look askance at what you consider to be changes in the very book that you think promotes male headship.
In fact, the updated NIV is absolutely correct that most pronouns in the Bible should be rendered in inclusive language. It was rank (though largely unconscious) sexism that gave us gender-specific translations in the first place.
The vote was 2-1 to bring the Resolution to the floor for debate. The resolution itself passed almost unanimously.
Posted by: T.J. | June 22, 2011 at 11:57 AM