N.T. Wright vs. the NIV Translation
October 29, 2009
I grew up reading the NIV translation of the Bible. In college, it was hard to separate from because it had become so familiar. But, there were those pesky professor voices in the back of my mind – those voices recalling in classes taking small shots at the actual reliability of the NIV translation. Of course, these men and women were making sense…
I’ve been reading a great book by N.T. Wright with a couple of my friends. I am challenged. I’m trying to get used to hitting the ground running — it’s been so long since I’ve delved into a deeper theological book. Most of my reads lately have been about the concepts of spiritual renovation, prayer, and sanctification, etc. …it’s just a little bit different vernacular.
Here’s the reason for this blog’s title: page 52 in Justification. (Preface: Wright is in the middle of making a point about a tendency to interpret the Bible not through original authors’ intents, but via what we’d like to hear and via what questions we’d like addressed regardless of those actually being addressed. Before this quote, Wright confesses to supporting the NIV translation and encouraging his congregation at the time to use it.)
Again and again, with the Greek text in front of me and the NIV beside it, I discovered that the translators had had another principle, considerably higher than the stated one: to make sure that Paul should say what the broadly Protestant and evangelical tradition said he said… I do know that if a church only, or mainly, relies on the NIV, it will, quite simply, never understand what Paul was talking about.
…Yes, the NRSV sometimes lets you down, too, but nowhere as near as frequently or as badly as the NIV. And, yes, the NIV has now been replaced with newer adaptations in which some at least of the worst features have, I think, been at least modified.
Incredible statement from a theologian I deeply admire!
For your own fun:
Romans 3:21-26 Translation Comparison
| NIV
Righteousness Through Faith 21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. |
ESV The Righteousness of God Through Faith
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. |
NRSV
But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. |
NASB
Justification by Faith 21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. |
