Examining the NIV

A Brief Review of the New International Version (NIV)

the NIV has some issues you should know

The NIV has some issues you should Know.

First of all, the Preface of the NIV should be considered in order to gain an understanding of the perspective of the translation committee. Unfortunately, the church of Christ is listed among and referenced as a denomination. Anyone who has ever read Christ’s prayer for unity in John 17:20-23 knows how disappointing it is to see the church for which he died presented as being what Anglican, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Christian Reformed, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan are—a denomination. The word of God teaches, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Corinthians 1:10). The NIV has errors in it.

The seventh paragraph of the Preface says, “The first concern of the translators has been the accuracy of the translation and its fidelity to the thought of the biblical writers. They have striven for more than a word-for-word translation.” If we are told the translators are placing emphasis on “the thought of the biblical writers” and were going for “more than a word-for-word translation,” then we ought not be surprised if that is just what they have done. Those who write about what the biblical writers thought based upon the words they used in the text are called commentators, not translators. Some of the doctrines crucial to the denominations listed in the Preface did make their way into the NIV, and herein lies one of the greatest dangers of the NIV. The commentators have placed their denominational views into the text. If the NIV is easier to read and understand than the KJV or ASV and contains errors, then the error is easily grasped and in many cases more readily accepted than a creed book, manual, book of discipline, catechism, or even an erroneous commentary would be because it has been presented as if it were the Bible itself.

TRANSLATION/DOCTRINAL ERRORS

Now, time and space afford only a brief review of the NIV errors. The reader is invited to place the NIV alongside the KJV and/or ASV at the passages to be cited for comparison. In that way more information can be compressed into the next few lines of this article.

PSALMS 51:5 ~ The Calvinistic doctrine of “Original Sin” is taught in this verse in the NIV. At one time it read, “Surely I have been a sinner from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” Now it reads, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” You wonder why any attempt was made to change the verse because each rendering teaches the same error.

ROMANS, GALATIANS, COLOSSIANS ~ Another Calvinistic doctrine known as “Total Depravity” emerges from the NIV in Romans 7:5, 18, 25; 8:3, 4, 8, 12, 13; Galatians 5:16, 19; and Colossians 2:11 – 13. The word “flesh” is replaced with the words “sinful nature.”

ROMANS 1:17 ~ The false doctrine of salvation by “Faith Only” is supported by the NIV in this verse where it says righteousness is “by faith from first to last.” The KJV has “from to faith to faith” which points to the fact that the basis of faith, the inspired scriptures, must be brought into action within a person’s life.

JOHN 3:16 ~ A key word in this beautiful and familiar text is “should.” The ones who believe in Christ “should” not perish. A combination of the false doctrines of “Once Saved, Always Saved” and “Faith Only” are supported by the NIV for it says those who believe “shall” not perish.

MATTHEW 19:9 ~ The allowable grounds for putting away a spouse mentioned here as the sexual sin of “fornication” is broadened to “marital unfaithfulness” by the NIV. “Marital unfaithfulness” would include but not be limited to “fornication” and is, therefore, inappropriate.

MARK 16:9-20 ~ The denominations listed in the Preface have for many, many years objected to the teaching of the Lord on the essentially of baptism in order to be saved as presented in Mark 16:16. Unable to evade the force of the passage, the NIV translators cast doubt on its inspiration by drawing a line after verse eight and then placing within brackets the follow-statement: “The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20.” A statement like that could lead the reader to believe that these verses should never have been included in any translation and could cause the reader to wonder why, with so scant a textual representation, even the NIV translators went ahead to place the verses below their offensive statement.

The truth is that only two uncial codexes omit the verses, and one of them, the Alexandrinus Manuscript housed in the British Museum in London, leaves a space into which these twelve verses could fit as if the copyist knew of their existence but without having them before him left them space. And, thousands of the cursive manuscripts include these verses.

1 CORINTHIANS 2:14, 12:13, 13:10 ~ The direct operation of the Holy Spirit as advocated by the Pentecostal groups and Calvinists is taught in the NIV at these locations. Instead of “the natural man” it has “the man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God.” Therefore, the Holy Spirit must come upon man directly according to the NIV to make him accept things. The apostles taught that the Holy Spirit uses his word like a sword to influence men (Ephesians 6:17). Instead of drinking “into one Spirit” or taking in the teaching of the Holy Spirit as the KJV reads, the NIV has this ridiculous statement: “We were all given the one Spirit to drink.” “That which is perfect” refers to the completed revelation from God to man, the Bible (James 1:25). The NIV changes the words to “perfection” thereby opening the way for teaching Premillennialism where a state of perfection for one thousand years is believed to be just on the horizon.

CONCLUSION

Now, the NIV is preferred over the KJV and ASV by many who believe it is easier to read and understand. But, if that is true, then it would also make the many errors it contains easy to understand and believe. Yet, people continue to buy this commentary and read the errors written on its pages. And while it is true that any translation done by men may contain errors, but the KJV and ASV are doctrinally preferred over the NIV.

 

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Once Lost Now Found

“I Once Was Lost, But Now Am Found”

Do you remember the pictures of missing children that used to be on the sides of milk cartons? Now they are published in weekly mailings nationwide. Have you ever been lost? I am not talking about the casual aimlessness in a car with bad directions. Have you really been lost? I can admit that I have been lost twice in my lifetime.

God can find the lost anywhere

God Can Find the Lost Anywhere.

Years ago as a young teenager, I was once lost in the middle of the woods while squirrel hunting. My father and I along with some friends went early one Monday morning hunting (that is what I get for skipping school that day!). We got into a boat and went up a river several miles upstream to a designated spot to hunt. Each of us went our separate ways with instructions to meet back at the boat at a certain time later that morning. I stayed near the river, while my father went deeper into the woods. At the designated time, everyone arrived at the boat except my father—he was the first to get lost that day. After some time had passed, my younger friend and I decided to look for him. We made two very important mistakes that day of which we learned the hard way—we did not take our guns with us, and neither of us had a compass. Beginning around ten o’clock that morning, we began to search for my father, and soon we realized that we were lost ourselves. My friend’s father found my father just a few hours later, but it was past sunset before they found us. We were lost for half of a day, wandering aimlessly through strange woods. The sheriff had just begun to bring the bloodhounds out after us when they finally found us that evening. I am so thankful that my father made provisions to find me when I was lost!

I was lost a second time, this time much more seriously. I was lost spiritually. When I experimented with sin, I abandoned my God. My sins led me away in rebellion against my Heavenly Father (Isa. 59:1-2). I was lost, wandering aimlessly spiritually through life. “But God commendeth his love toward [me], in that, while [I was yet a sinner], Christ died for [me]” (Rom. 5:8). Jesus came to this world to find me because I was lost (Luke 19:10). He provided the means for me to be saved through the gospel (Rom. 1:16) and the shedding of his blood on Calvary (Heb. 2:9; Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:8). He has provided a straight and narrow path that leads to salvation (Matt. 7:13-14). I am so thankful my Heavenly Father found me when I was lost!

John Newton wrote those infamous words,

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found —was blind, but now I see.

Are you lost? God commands us to teach the saving message of Jesus to those in our world that are lost. Some do not realize they are lost; others are searching but cannot find their way. What if my spiritual soul depended on you finding me? Would I be found, or would I still be lost?

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Truths About the Sabbath

Simple Truths About the Sabbath

It is remarkable how clearly the Lord can state a matter and how difficult it is for man to understand His words. When one approaches the Bible with a predetermined mindset, very simple statements of truth can become difficult for men to understand. However, when one studies the Bible openly, these simple statements open the doors to finding God’s will. As an illustration of this, consider the following truths about the Sabbath. The format used in this study will be a question and answer format with each question being based on the truth learned in the preceding paragraph. Keep in mind that the Sabbath is part of the Ten Commandments.

should christians keep the sabbath

Should Christians Keep the Sabbath?

What was the covenant made with the Jews at Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb)? “And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone” (Deut. 4:13).

Had God ever made this covenant with the ancestors (like Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) of those who came to Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb)? “The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire” (Deut. 5:2-4).

Did this covenant, not made with the fathers, include the Ten Commandments? “Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. Six days thou shalt labor, and do all thy work” (Deut. 5:12-13).

Why was the Sabbath (a rest day) given to Jews who were with Moses at Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb)? “And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day” (Deut. 5:15).

Does the New Testament (the new covenant) include the Ten Commandments given at Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb)? “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will mak­e a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD” (Deut. 31:31-32).

Now, before accepting the complex ideas given by those who bind the Sabbath on Christians, take time to read these simple truths. Notice that every word given as answers are from God! Listen to God’s simple truths!

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Act like Men

It’s Time to Behave like Men

At an alarming rate, our congregations are changing. They are becoming older, emptier, or filled with innovation. Where are the men to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30)? Some people are calling out warnings (Ezekiel 33), but we need men to lead and engage the Christians.

me stand up grab the word share it lead

Men, stand up! Grab the Word. Share it! Lead!

So many congregations are sheep without shepherds. They have no leadership. They have no elders. They have no direction. They have no discipline. Those who could be qualified don’t want to step up. They do not want the responsibility of guiding the souls around them. Running the church by men’s meeting seems to be the appropriate scapegoat for responsibility. God did not intend for unqualified people to guide His Church (I Tim 3, Titus 1). They run like Jonah, make excuses like Moses, or hide like Elijah when it comes time to show their faith by their works (James 2:20). They could be great with God on their side, but they choose timidity.

Where are the men? Where are the men of God who are sculpting their entire lives so they can be qualified to say, “Here Am I Send Me!” (Isaiah 6:8)? When the Church is afraid, discouraged, feeling alone, Godly men show courage! They lead! Maintaining discipline, the Word of God is followed. Righteous men are the first to be out evangelizing. They show others how it is done, enacting the Word of God (Joshua 1:6). They rely on God as David did leading the people of God to victory (I Samuel 17). When they trust in God, the ranks swell. When men who should be leaders behave as feeble women, the congregations sputter and die. Drop the excuses of: “People are too busy today”, “this is just a difficult town”, “we tried that before”, or “folks just aren’t friendly” – Faithful men such as Stephen (Acts 7/8) or Paul (2 Corinthians 11) likely have little sympathy for such excuses.

What fear is grappling so many elderships and Christian men today that stops them from doing the work of the Lord? Have they bought a field, oxen, or taken a wife (Luke 14:16-24)? Why are they staying behind when it is the time to go to war (2 Samuel 11)? It seems they prefer administration and talking of great things, rather than humbly, yet boldly working in their communities sharing the Word of God. Their fear breeds fear among all the Christians. Their laziness breeds generations of slothfulness. “What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40). There is a time for rest, but now is not that time!

As the Lord, told Job, “Gird up now thy loins like a man” (Job 38:3, 40:7). God has called Christians to be soldiers, to put on his armor (Eph. 6). Yet, the only battles many see are gossip and backbiting within the Church. It’s time for the gray haired to dust off their Bibles and share the knowledge of the ages with the lost. Do something before life is gone. Finish the fight in the glory of service while you still can! Do not hold onto pews in fear and shame any longer. Teach the young men to be shepherds, not sheep. Instruct the world in the compassion and wrath of a righteous God, lest you too become a victim of His wrath.

 1 Corinthians 16:13 – “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

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Prisoner Dilemma

Prisoner Dilemma

Some years back I had the great opportunity to preach in a prison facility. This blessing extended for about two years. It really enabled me to see and understand a great number of things about those inside and outside of the prison system. I am not a person who is in favor of any frills or extras in the prison system. I guess you can say I am a Sheriff Joe Arpaio fan. If an individual breaks the law, my preference is the punishment seriously deters them from every committing the same mistake. Not only should it deter the transgressor, but those who would ever contemplate committing a crime. For crimes against children and murder, I am in favor of public capital punishment. I say this because I want it understood where I am coming from as this article is written.

one free from their debt will the prisoner repeat

Once free from their debt, will the prisoner repeat?

Every Sunday for the time I and other church members were allowed to preach to the prisoners was time well spent. We were allotted approximately 4 hours with the inmates. The largest portion of this time was spent with the general population in a classroom where we were allowed direct contact. By direct contact, it should be understood there were no guards present or barriers between ourselves and the inmates. For approximately an hour after our visit with the general population, we were able to teach the inmates who were in for violent crimes including murder. The setting was the same as the general population, direct contact with nothing separating us. There were no incidents that ever arose where I felt in danger. The inmates attended each Sunday by their own choice and 99% of them were very respectful as we were to them.

Some of the inmates we dealt with were to be institutionalized for most of their life. One in particular was just beginning a 45 year sentence with no chance of parole. He was still a teenager. He will be an old man when he gets out. For one year, I and another Christian brother taught him Christ. He listened attentively, studied, prayed, and was baptized by us. He understood by the grace of God he did not receive capital punishment, though he deserved it. His blessing by God, as is the case for all those serving life in prison, is his life, a roof over his head, clothes on his back, and meals each day. With access to the Word of God, it was made clear to him that he had great opportunity ahead of him to lead spiritually though in prison. God expects no less (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

The situation for the short term prison inmate is very different. Many are in for a few weeks up to three or four years and then they are out. Though I have not checked statistics to see how much the average prisoner serves, what crimes they committed, or the involvement with alcohol or drugs as related to their crimes, I can comfortably state that the wide majority of inmates I met had problems with alcohol and drugs. Whether addiction or simply under the influence, these men put themselves in illegal situations where they chose not to have complete control of their senses. The time spent in prison presented these men with a situation where they were no longer under the control of these substances. A good percentage of these men expressed realization about the positions they had put themselves in due to the use of substances. They wanted a change in their life. They didn’t want to be the people they were before. Some became Christians and resolved to live their lives like Christ. I wish it could be said that they were able to do so. Typically, following release, a few weeks maybe a month or two would pass before we would see them imprisoned once again.

The scenario of the prisoner who becomes a repeat offender reminds me of a great number of those who clothe themselves in Christ. They come to a realization that they are under the influence of the sin of the world. That sin becomes theirs through foolish choices. The day they put on Christ they declared their resolve. They truly wanted to be like Christ. For the record, I believe most prisoners felt the same way when the put on Christ. It is was not, nor is it my place to judge a man’s conscience. Like the prisoners, many Christians free from their debt of sin, energized in Christ, after a period of time, find themselves to be repeat offenders. They engage in the same sins they embraced before Christ. Why did this happen? What causes the prisoner to return to his crimes, a Christian to return to his sins? What a pitiful situation this is to behold. It is certainly a position which is worse than before (2 Peter 2:22). How they get to this situation is what I call the prisoner’s dilemma and what the remainder of this article will focus on.

Proverbs 1:32 – For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, And the careless ease of fools shall destroy them.

The concept of the prisoner’s dilemma is when an individual goes back to where he was and does what he did. Why is this? The prison inmate when released typically must return under a system of parole. A system of parole typically demands the prisoner stay within the boundaries of a certain location i.e. city or location until a specified time is fulfilled. Where do these people live? Well, they will likely return to the home or neighborhood they were in before. Their family and friends are generally aware of their return. They are now marked by their crimes and consequently finding work will be more difficult. Having returned to the environment they left before their “cleansing” in prison, they are often subject to the same temptations as before. Friends, acquaintances, family, will introduce drugs and alcohol back into their lives. Unhealthy communication and living will surround the former inmate. So now he is back where he was, what does he do? He does what he did. He didn’t plan on it. He thought he would be free from it. He thought he would resist it. However, he succumbs. He parties, he does things he shouldn’t thinking no one will know. He may get away with it for awhile, but sooner or later, he finds himself not only out of control, but in trouble with the law again. Back he goes to prison. He is disappointed, ashamed, frustrated, and each time he goes through this scenario he will be less likely to try to change.

The prisoner’s dilemma applies to many Christians as well. At one time, the Christian was under bondage to the sin of the world as all men. As all men he is called to be free (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Those answering the call of Christ were released from bondage (Romans 6:6). However, the Christian while separating himself from the world is still in the world (John 17:11, 16). He must continue on his “parole” unable to leave until his time is fulfilled. Temptations are present. The Lust of the flesh, eye, and pride of life tug at him when given opportunity. Family members and friends tell him it is ok to give in to a little temptation. The Christian is approached with sweet sounding words of falsehood. The Christian has been marked by the goodness of his life in Christ. Much like the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, the world is attracted to the purity and wants to defile it (Genesis 19). If the Christian gives in he finds himself in sin once more. He feels as if he is again part of the world. However, he has the blood of Christ which cleanses him. He simply needs to confess his sins and call upon his savior for forgiveness (I John 1-2:2). However, with continued sin he becomes disappointed, ashamed, frustrated, and like the prison inmate each time he goes through this scenario he will be less likely to try to change.

Jeremiah 2:19 – Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and a bitter, that thou hast forsaken Jehovah thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord, Jehovah of hosts.

I have been asked before what I think the solution to the prisoner’s dilemma is for those who have been released from prison. What will enable them to stop the cycle? First, I personally believe presenting the prisoner with opportunities to improve his lot in society helps. Second, enabling them to be relocated somewhere separating them from the old crowd and its wicked vices. Finally, make certain they have people surrounding them who they can call on anytime to keep them out of trouble. I believe these steps will greatly help the inmate, but they will still not stop all temptation. Do I see this becoming a reality? Truthfully, I don’t, though I wish it would. It is not only a matter of a societal change, but it would have to be the will of the inmate as well and many think they can do the same old thing with different results.

The backsliding Christian can be free of the prisoner’s dilemma in the same manner as the prison inmate. God has created man for the purpose of walking in good works (Ephesians 2:10). Open doors abound for the Christian if they are seeking for them (Matthew 7:7-8). To separate himself from the old crowd and its wicked devices the Christian must relocate himself. He must dwell in the Word of God. That is, he is no longer to hang out with the sinful people or in the sinful locations he did before. He is to surround himself with his brothers and sisters in Christ. He is to remove sinful influences from his home. The leader of a home has control of this situation. Those who are not the head of the household will have a greater difficulty. They must rely upon being a good example and refuse to take part in the sin. This type of situation makes the final part of being free of the prisoner’s dilemma even more important. The brothers and sisters in Christ must encourage, comfort, and aid whenever and wherever possible (I Thessalonians 5:14). The Christian must always remember they have a savior who will not forsake them. They have a God who will always be faithful to them (I Corinthians 1:9). Will these steps stop all temptation and backsliding? As with the prison inmate, temptation will continue and choices will still reside in the lap of the individual. Yet, God has promised no trial will come that they are not able to withstand (I Corinthians 10:13). He has instructed them to resist the sin (James 4:7).

This is the prisoner’s dilemma. An individual is freed from bondage just to go back to where he was and do what he did. It is tragic and it is sad. God does not wish this for man. He desires that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9). He has provided what all men need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Through God’s Word is opportunity, separation from the world, and encouragement. God calls daily for the backslider to return and to be free from the bondage of sin. It is up to the individual to humble himself and call upon God (Matthew 5:3, Romans 10:6-10). If the Christian returns to God, none can stand against (Romans 8:31).

Jeremiah 3:22 – Return, ye backsliding children, I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we are come unto thee; for thou art Jehovah our God.

 

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