A CBE RESPONSE TO THE OCTOBER TNIV RADIO SHOWS

by Mimi Haddad

As I listen to the recent criticisms of the TNIV, I rehearse the words of Ronald Reagan as he debated Jimmy Carter, “There you go again.” The recent Focus on the Family Radio Show, and its criticism of the TNIV Bible translation beg the question: Does the TNIV affirm a feminist agenda, or God’s agenda—to make Christ’s salvation known to all people? Come, let us reason together.

Consider Romans 3:28, where Paul said that an “anthropos is justified by faith.” The Greek word anthropos, means “person” in this context, and thus the TNIV translates the verse: “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” Certainly, we want all readers to understand that both men and women are saved by faith in Christ. As evangelicals, we believe that the whole of Scripture points to Christ’s salvific work.

Consider, also, the words of Jesus, in John 6:35. Here Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” The TNIV translates “he” to “whoever” because Jesus clearly invites all people to receive him as Savior. Or, again, in Titus 2:11 the TNIV translates “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” to “all people.” Is the grace of God available to men only, or to men and women? To include women in John 6:35 or in Titus 2:11 is faithful to the inspired Word of God. To resist making women visible in Christ’s work is to obscure the purpose of Scripture.

Critics of the TNIV are eager to see “manhood” advanced as a translation priority. They therefore object to the TNIV’s treatment of 2 Sam 23:8 where an obscure phrase—“mighty men,” is translated as “warriors.” TNIV opponents suggest that such a change removes “manhood” from the Bible and will ultimately lead to an exodus of men from the Church. If men require “manhood” to remain Church-goers, what will happen when they learn they must die with Christ on the Cross, or serve as Christ served, or love as Christ loved? Men, like women, are to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, (most of which are considered feminine characteristics). To imply that men need “manhood” in order to remain Christians is not only an insult to men, but it overlooks the perfect man—Christ Jesus, who never exalted in “manhood” or in equality with God as something to be grasped. Rather, Christ emptied himself and became a servant, even a servant unto death. Jesus took the little children into his arms and said that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. (Mk 10:13) To advance “manhood” is to miss the point of Scripture—the call to all people to become Christ-like.

It is confusing that TNIV critics accuse the National Council of Churches (NCC) of initiating the anti-patriarchal trend in Bible translation, which they believe led to the gender accurate TNIV. They then suggest that we purchase the English Standard Version (ESV) rather than the TNIV. Yet, the ESV is supported by the National Council of Churches! Every ESV sold garners income for the NCC.

In my own life, a family member grew much closer to Christ through the TNIV Bible. Likewise, evangelists and missionaries have also discovered that the TNIV is highly effective in reaching the lost for Christ, which is, of course, the purpose of Scripture.

I remain dedicated to the TNIV because this translation makes known the work of Christ to all people. I encourage us to support the TNIV Bible.

Mimi Haddad is president of Christians for Biblical Equality. She is a graduate of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. She earned a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from the University of Durham, England. She is a founding member of the Evangelicals and Gender Study Group at the Evangelical Theological Society, and she served as the Convener of the Gender Issue group for the 2004 Lausanne III Conference for World Evangelization. Mimi has written numerous articles and has contributed to five books. She is an Adjunct Professor at North Park Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL.