Why I Don’t Like the TNIV

TNIV (Today’s New International Translation)

Following my last Blog Page on “Why I love the ESV” I was asked to expand on my comment “TNIV which I personally think is just plain wrong!” … So here goes.

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Personally I have some real issues with the TNIV (Today’s New International Version) as it seems to me that the major differences between it and the NIV is its attempt at political correctness to a point where it is not what was actually said or written.

This is evident in Psalm 8:4 shown below and in many, many other places throughout the translation. This is just plain wrong!

Psalm 8:4
ESV – What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
KJV – What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
NIV – What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
NLT – What are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?
NASB – What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?
HCSB – What is man that You remember him, the son of man that You look after him?
MESSAGE – Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?
TNIV – What are mere mortals that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Clearly if there is no gender stated or implied in the original Greek or Hebrew text then I am not opposed to translations that use a genderless phrase such as “Human Being”. However, where there is male meaning then it is wrong to translate it in any other way, even if it is unpopular with the liberals or the “politically correct brigade”.

Hebrews 12:7
NIV Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
TNIV … what children are not disciplined by their parents?

This shows a massive difference in meaning.

“The TNIV mistranslates the Greek terms huios (“son”) and pater (“father”), which in their singular forms do not mean “child” or “parent,” and surely not “children” or “parents.” It also obscures the parallel with God as Father in this passage. ” Dr Wayne Grudem

Luke 17:3
NIV If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.
TNIV If any brother or sister sins against you, rebuke the offender; and if they repent, forgive them.

“The TNIV inserts “or sister,” which Jesus did not say. Jesus is using a single male individual (“your brother”) as an example of a general truth, but the TNIV will not let him do this. I agree that the verse applies to sisters who sin, but that is application, it is not translation.” Dr Wayne Grudem

My question is “Where will this all end”? Will we ever see the Lords prayer beginning “Our Parent who art in Heaven” just so we do not offend?

Having read the TNIV cover to cover in recent months there are so many verses that are just not true to original text that I tell our youth, their parents and other adults to avoid this translation … along with the NLT as this too attempts to be “Gender Neutral” where the original text does not support it!