A More Gender-Neutral Bible

by Glen on 2002-02-23 00:10:26

Religion News Service

Saturday, February 2, 2002; Page B08

Zondervan, a major Bible publisher, and the International Bible Society have announced plans to publish a translation called Today’s New International Version, an adaptation of the popular NIV that will include some gender-neutral references.

The translation of the New Testament will be released in the spring, and the complete text, including the Old Testament, is scheduled to appear in 2005. The NIV will continue to be published.

The new version, which is being called the TNIV, will change 7 percent from the NIV, officials of the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based publishing company and the Bible society said in their announcement Monday.

Gender references, in places where scholars determined that the original text intended no specific gender reference, will include such changes as “sons of God” becoming “children of God” and “brothers” being translated as “brothers and sisters.” References to God and Jesus will remain masculine.

Other changes in the new version include describing Mary, the mother of Jesus, as “pregnant” rather than “with child.” Jesus will be called Messiah rather than Christ when the text refers to belief in his messianic status. He will continue to be called Jesus Christ when “Christ” is used as part of his personal name.