CPH offers last of Self-Study (NIV) Bibles

If you’ve got your eye on purchasing a Concordia Self-Study Bible — which uses the 1984 New International Version (NIV) translation — Concordia Publishing House still has a few thousand left in its warehouse.

But you’d better act fast because when CPH’s current stock of the Bibles runs out, that’s it — the publisher won’t be printing any more.

CPH made that decision because Zondervan, the main publisher of the NIV translation of Scripture, has decided to publish materials only in the NIV 2011 version — a translation that removes certain references to gender-specific pronouns and is one that the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations “finds theologically problematic,” according to CPH. (To read a related Reporter story, “CTCR staff: NIV gender-neutral language a ‘serious weakness,’ ” click here.)

“Since Zondervan is no longer publishing the 1984 NIV text, the CSSB [Concordia Self-Study Bible] will not be reprinted when our inventory is gone,” CPH Publisher Rev. Paul T. McCain wrote in an email in late October to CPH customers.

McCain suggests “a great alternative to the CSSB“: The Lutheran Study Bible (TLSB), which “has been widely and well received around the world.”

Printed with the English Standard Version translation, “TLSB has rich devotional commentary with a strong focus on Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for you,” he says.

CPH is offering all editions of The Lutheran Study Bible at sale prices — up to 35 percent off — through Dec. 21. To browse available editions of TLSB, visit cph.org/tlsb.

To see and order from CPH’s remaining stock of the Concordia Self-Study Bible, click here.