Updated: 9/27/2009 9:35:33 PM
Publishers of the popular New International Version bible (NIV) have announced they are starting work on a new edition.
According to USA Today, the version will work to un-do some of what publishers call "damage" left by the TNIV (Today's New International Version) edition, which used more gender inclusive language.
For instance, in some cases where original texts were not specific, the TNIV uses "children of God" instead of "sons of God", or "sister and brothers" instead of simply "brothers".
Critics of the TNIV call its gender neutral pronouns inaccurate interpretations.
However, others say such modifications can be more truthful to scripture's original intent.
"I believe the more inclusive language can subtly speak to our culture and what we're about," said Rev. John Mark Wiggers of St. James Episcopal Church in Knoxville.
"To add it where it's not there is to misrepresent the text," said Rev. Ron Stewart of Grace Baptist Church in Karns.
The Bible is a central resource for both of the pastors and their churches, but when it comes to gender, what's more accurate, or applicable, varies.
"[Gender inclusive language can] claim where we are now. That women have a greater role in society and culture and in the church," Wiggers said.
"When you start changing things because it's the politically correct thing to do, then six months, a year from now, there might be something else that changes. Over a period of time, you lose the truth," Stewart said.
However, one's interpretation of "Truth" may not be as simple as literally translating a text word for word.
"People on both sides could argue their translation is more literally accurate," said UT Religious Studies Professor Christine Shepardson. "The difference comes much more so when you're talking about the meaning of the text."
The "meaning" of the text refers to the intent of the original authors.
"Do you want the most literal translation? In which case, if you're translating the english phrase 'break a leg', then you'll end up with the wrong meaning," Shepardson said. "Or do you want the most accurate meaning of the text? Then you're opening it up to the person's interpretation of that meaning."
In some cases, they may have used masculine pronouns to imply both genders. In other cases, original texts may use gender neutral words which translators then changed.
"The Greek word for 'person' has in been typically translated as man," Shepardson said.
In other cases, translators may decide the original authors used masculine pronouns and intended to only refer to men.
Some argue adding a feminine pronoun would help open scripture to all people in a culture that is very different from the cultures in which the Bible was written.
Others believe it would destroy the validity of the text.
"It would be to manipulate the text, and that's not the role of the translator," Stewart said.
Shepardson teaches her students at UT that no matter the translation one chooses, biblical interpretation is about choice.
"And those choices and words you end up using are always going to have significant implications for religious reasons, political reasons," she said.
The new NIV translation is due out in 2011.
