ZONDERVAN'S RESPONSE TO THE WORLD ARTICLE

Tom Mockabee, Vice-President of Zondervan, wrote the following letter to their readers in response to the World Magazine article about the Inclusive Language Edition of the NIV.

Dear Reader,

A disturbing article of misinformation regarding the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible has been published in the March 29, 1997 issue of WORLD magazine. I'm writing to you so you'll be aware of just how wrong this story is and how we're responding to it.

First be aware that WORLD never contacted Zondervan for information or comment prior to the printing of this story. The Evangelical Press Association is reviewing the matter as to a violation of its Code of Ethics.

Second, we see this article as having a predetermined bias without regard to the facts. The writer wants to link Zondervan's and International Bible Society's (IBS) evangelical Bible translation with a feminist social agenda. This has never been part of our discussions or thinking. Nor will it ever be.

Please be assured that Zondervan and IBS are 100% committed to translating the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic biblical texts with accuracy as its foundation. We are in no way motivated by social or political agendas or pressures. The WORLD article quotes R. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville as saying translations should "seek to be as inclusive as the original text intends and no more inclusive than the original text intends." That is exactly our position.

As has always been the case, we, as caretakers of this rich treasure God has given to the evangelical church, will always protect and maintain the accuracy, beauty, clarity, and dignity of the NIV. The independent Committee on Bible Translation (CBT) does plan a revision of the NIV to reflect recent archaeological discoveries, new biblical scholarship, and linguistic styling but we do not anticipate its release for the next three to four years.

Please read the FAQ about our response to WORLD Magazine for a clear understanding of this issue. If you have questions regarding this material please write us at zpub@zph.com.

We want you to retain full confidence in the NIV as an accurate and reliable translation of the Scriptures.

Sincerely,

Tom Mockabee
Vice President and Publisher Bible Division