Quoting from NIV
At the end of your Page 4 October article with the headline of “2011 NIV gender-neutral language a ‘serious weakness'” was this editor’s note: “A recent conversation with the publisher of NIV [New International Version] confirmed that it no longer grants permission for authors and publishers to quote from previous versions of the NIV translation, including the well-known 1984 version, in their articles and publications.”
What does this mean for use of the 1984 NIV by churches in their bulletins and in items already being produced by Concordia Publishing House (such as catechisms, the Concordia Self Study Bible, workbooks and other publications)?
My congregation still uses the 1984 NIV for all these things, as its reading level is more suitable for use with our confirmation-age youth than the ESV (English Standard Version), in my opinion. The St. Louis seminary faculty seems to have shared this concern in a review of the ESV that appeared in the Concordia Journal.
I have been looking at the online notices from the NIV’s publisher about its use. I believe that based on these notices, the NIV’s use in bulletins won’t be affected. I also believe that based on your editor’s note, CPH would be able to continue to publish the items they have already developed, using the NIV. Is this correct? And does CPH intend to continue to produce those items (especially the NIV-based catechisms and Concordia Self Study Bible)?
Rev. Steve Jacobsen
Bethalto, Ill.
Reporter shared the Rev. Steve Jacobsen’s letter with the Rev. Paul T. McCain, publisher and executive director of Editorial at Concordia Publishing House. McCain’s response follows. – Ed.
CPH has been transitioning all our resources to ESV since the Synod in convention chose to use the ESV as the translation of choice for all the Synod’s worship resources.
We are unable to use the NIV 1984 text going forward and will not be using the NIV 2011. Therefore, all remaining resources using the NIV text will be discontinued as soon as we sell our remaining inventory.
We will certainly keep our customers informed, should we learn anything different from the publishers of the NIV.
Send letters via email to reporter@lcms.org or by mail to Reporter Letters, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295. Please include your name, postal address and phone number. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. – Ed.
Posted Nov. 19, 2012
