There are myriad translations of the Bible.
The one that I have used most frequently throughout my time at Resurrection has been Today’s New International Version (TNIV).
On September 1, 2009 it was announced that TNIV would be discontinued. In its place the NIV will be updated by 2011. You can find more information at http://www.nivbible2011.com.
In addition, I recently ran across this website announcing a new translation to be produced the Common English Bible. You can find more information at http://www.commonenglish.com.
Considering that the TNIV will no longer be published, I will begin to phase it out of my regular usage. I will likely return to the NRSV which I used most frequently during seminary. However, I am open to suggestions or insights on the above to versions.
What are your thoughts, feelings or opinions about the 2011 NIV, TNIV or Common English Bible?
Rev. Andrew Conard 
8 replies on “The End of the TNIV”
Hey Andrew,
My friend gave me a copy of the Book of Matthew from the Common English…
All was great until I got to Matthew 9 and found that “Son of Man” was replaced with “Human One” and personally… I don’t know… that just didn’t sit right with me. They didn’t change “Son of God”…
I don’t think I’d be comfortable using the Common English Bible…
but maybe it’s just me..?
I have been re-translating “Son of Man” into “Human One” in my head when I read Mark. This understanding was given to me by Ched Myers. It helps me to understand the humanity of Jesus. God really knows us because God truly became human.
I really like the TNIV translation, and it’s disappointing to hear that it’s being discontinued. I appreciate the care with which its translators have given us a more inclusive translation that’s still faithful to the original texts but less academic in tone and vocabulary than the NRSV. The decision to discontinue should not surprise me, but it’s really too bad when success or failure in the public market determines which translations we get to read.
I never warmed to the TNIV – in general I think the attempt to make the bible PC is misguided, and in fact leads to some significant distortion of the underlying text. Its just like the tendency within Methodism for pastors not to pray, as Jesus taught us to pray, in the name of the Father. I think words have meaning and Jesus chose those words intentionally for a specific theological purpose.
I like the NCV. It is a very good tool for both hearing the Spirit and reading with groups of diverse educational and spiritual underpinnings.
Figures. Anything that I like gets discontinued… a deodorant scent, favorite meal at a chain restaurant, and now this. I really found the TNIV to be a nice blend between NIV and NRSV.
I like the New Living Translation – I wasn’t all that familiar with it until I used it as a comparison text between the original languages, King James, and NRSV in Greek/Hebrew classes. It was frequently just as faithful to the text and more poetic and flowing than NRSV can be. I use NRSV a lot but find NLT to be a good middle ground between NIV and NRSV.
Stephanie – Thanks for the referral on the NLT. I may pick up a copy…