...I need to pray about it and by the Lord's guidance, make sure it is done with the right motives and in the right spirit. But, the following is just something to ponder.
Do YOU believe the Word Of GOD is inspired? What is your understanding of "inspired" ?
Hold that thought as you think about the following...
Today's New International Version(TNIV)
© Copyright 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society
(why would a Bible need a copyright after HUNDREDS of years of not needing one?)
God is so good to point things out to those who search for truth....we must be careful not to allow our pride to stand in the way of *seeing* it. (I almost missed out some 6 years ago!)
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8 comments:
I can't wait to read. Don't make it too awfully long.
Copyrights are a necessary evil of the world in which we live in. It's not just the TNIV that's under copyright--it's every modern translation.
And it's a good thing for a couple of reasons. (1) The translation process these days is quite expensive. Most of the mainstream translations have been funded by various Bible societies or foundations. A secured copyright helps to ensure that not just anyone is publishing a particular translation and that some of the cost for a translation can be recouped.
(2) More importantly, a copyright on a Bible translaiton ensures you the buyer that you are getting the real deal. Otherwise, you could walk into a store to buy a NIV Bible and if there was no copyright, "Fred's Publishing House" could be printing that copy of the NIV and it might be filled with errors.
This is a tremendous problem right now with the King James Version which is in the public domain. At the time of the King James Version initial publication, although there weren't copyrights, there were only one or two printers that were allowed by the King to publish this Bible. So although there weren't copyrights at the time, the same kinds of protections that copyrights give today were in place for the KJV.
The problem today is that when you buy a KJV at a store, who knows which version of it you're getting. The KJV has gone through a number of various printings and editions and different strains with different readings are now extant. Plus, going back to my #2 reason above, some editions have just been purposefully changed with no explanation. The Scofield Bible is notorious for this as Scofield would just change the KJV at will to make the text better fit with his theology.
So in the end, a copyrighted Bible ensures that we all get a reliable translation of God's Word.
Oh, one more thing, I mentioned the various kinds of KJV Bibles that are out there with different readings. David Norton has gone to great lengths to recreate a KJV with the original readings intended by the original translators. You can see his KJV Paragraph Bible here:
http://www.cambridgebibles.com/cambridge/KJV_New_Cambridge_Paragraph_Bible_David_Norton.htm
Thank you R. Mansfield for your comments. :) Your explanation for the Modern translation copyrights is very well stated. I guess I should expect that :) I see you are going for your Doctorate, praise the Lord! I will address some of the issues you mentioned in your comment above in an upcoming post. I won't, however, be entertaining any debates concerning this. I am sure you have prayed concerning the Bible translation you will choose to feed your flock from. My husband and I too have prayed concerning our precious children. I am in no way as accomplished in my college studies as you. But I do have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to direct me. I used to study from an NIV...well, I won't spoil my upcoming post. I will present the facts my husband and I found more than persuasive in choosing a Bible for our home. I won't be telling anyone they are wrong or can't get saved etc..lol I'm not a militant KJV pusher ;) But I do want my readers to know why I have chosen one translation over the others. I certainly have every bit of faith in the inspired WORD OF GOD...word for word translation, not an idea for inferred idea translation. So, thank you for addressing some very real issues concerning copyrights and may God bless you in your studies! I would challenge you to continue in prayer concerning your choice of Bible. Sincerely, Heather Prov 3:5-7
Heather, can't wait to hear your post. I'll be watching for it. Looking forward to hearing why you believe the KJV to be the only inspired WORD OF GOD, purified seven times! AMEN! :)
~Kristi
ooooh!!! I'm SOOO excited, Heather! I was raised on NIV, and saved through it, I might add, but am now KJV only. I look forward to what you have to say!
Looking forward to your post too! : )
So that's why some of my KJV versions don't match up exactly!
I've got everything here from Scofield to Salem Kirban to John MacArthur!
Waiting....
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