How did this dire prediction about the NIV come to pass at The Madison Church Of Christ?

The year was 1984. Ira North was the Minister at The Madison Church of Christ.

The New International Version of the Bible was relatively new.

During this period there was a concern about the NIV Bible (New International Version), and whether to recommend it to the membership.
This concern was no doubt inspired in part by a critical review that was published by A. G. Hobbs.

This was a rather extensivive review and very critical of the NIV. Among it's warnings was this quote;

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The threat of division is real. How can faithful brethren sit back in silence and hear the word of God mutilated, and see the faith of our young members destroyed? Let us note well where the blame will rest. Who is guilty of splitting a log? The one who drives the wedge? or the one who pleads for it not to be driven? THE ONE WHO DRIVES THE WEDGE! Who was guilty of dividing the church over Instrumental Music? Those who injected it into the worship! The blame will not only rest on preachers who use the corrupt version but also on elders who are to protect and to guard the flock. I plead with all elders to wake up, study up, and to speak up!
=======================================

Cecil N. Wright one of the Madison Ministers at the time was asked to do a review of this critical review. Who asked him to do the review? We don't currently know. Who read the review? We don't know that. Where is the review today? It's setting on a shelf in the Church Library.

What we do know is that Ira North was not to be with us much longer in this world . New ministers came in, and so did the NIV, Jublilee, and here we be.... Today in 2002 the Madison Church of Christ is split, and the NIV is thriving.

We tend to rely on our Elders and Ministers in the same way we trust our doctors. After all we can't read and study all this. Shouldn't the experts be trained in these things and warn us when problems arise? Just like doctors there are good and there are bad.. There are those that study and those that don't. There are those that warn, and those that won't.

Ultimately, we ourselves are responsible. Reading the word is different from being preached the word. Reading about the NIV and other modern versions is different from being preached to about them. If you have not read the word, then you are open to what any Preaching Joe tells you.

The facts are now out there in volumes on the NIV. They are accessible to you! If you don't read them then you are leaving yourself open to what anyone tells you.

When someone tells you something about the KJV (King James Version) or the NIV, ask them where you can read that That alone should serve as your first proof to find the truth.

We are listing some warnings below about the NIV. We believe these to be valid and truthful, but ultimately you need to be the judge by reading.
Don't depend on listening to us or anyone else.

Another Bible ~ Another Gospel
http://watch.pair.com/another.html

The Semetic New Testament : The Hitler - NIV connection
http://watch.pair.com/peshitta.html

Try Answering These From Your NIV
http://www.chick.com/information/bibleversions/articles/nivquiz.asp

Compare Bible Scriptures
http://watch.pair.com/scriptures.html

SPIRITUAL DECEPTION IN THE HIGHEST
Page1 http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/defense1.txt
Page2 http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/defense2.txt

New International Version:... What today's Christian needs to know about the NIV
http://biz.ukonline.co.uk/trinitarian.bible.society/articles/niv.htm

From Their Own Mouths - The Bible Modifiers
http://www.revelationwebsite.co.uk/index1/kjv/mouth3.htm

More will be added at;
http://www.concernedmembers.com/library.htm#hit


Thank You
ConcernedMembers
.
Please feel free to copy and circulate

To subscribe to future email announcements, send a blank email to;
ConcernedMembers@webmailstation.com

NIV AND DIVISION; March 6 2002, 10:21 PM

What version do we blame for all the division among us when the only version we knew about was the KJV?
A drowning man will grab at any straw. By the way, I still quote from the KJV that's where I learned it. I read the NIV and it has not destroyed my faith. I know a few churches that tell their members not to read the NIV and they are some of the most negative and hard to get along with people I know of. They can argue among themselves about any number of things.
God have mercy.....

How would you even begin to know if your faith had been destroyed? You may have already "left the faith" and not even know it!!!! Why would anyone want to read that which has had "the doctrines and commandments of men" inserted into it??? And "some of the most negative people" in the church of Christ are no more negative than was our Lord and Savior!! These also happen to be some of the most concerned people that I know, as well.
If we had more of these, maybe the Lord's church would
not be facing some of the problems that exist today!!!
And time wouldn't have to be spent responding to people
who ought to know better!!!!!!

According to an independent, outside source, “The Diabolical System of Diaprax” (Christian Media – February 25, 2002): “Bibles (such as the NIV) are being translated via a system known as “dynamic equivalency” which is built on the process of the Diaprax — A TRANSLATIONAL DIALOGUE TO CONSENSUS [emphasis, dc].”

Let us compare only 3 of several passages that have references to either SINGING or MAKING MUSIC. The following Bible translations are used in the same order for each of the passages:

--- New International Version (NIV)
--- New Living Translation (NLT)
--- King James Version (KJV)
--- New American Standard Bible (NAS)
--- English Standard Version (ESV)
--- New King James Version (NKJ)
--- American Standard Version (ASV)

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PSALM 27:6
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(NIV)—I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and MAKE MUSIC to the LORD
(NLT)—I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and PRAISING the LORD with MUSIC.
(KJV)—I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will SING PRAISES unto the LORD.
(NAS)—I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will SING PRAISES to the LORD.
(ESV)—I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and MAKE MELODY to the LORD.
(NKJ)—I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will SING PRAISES to the LORD.
(ASV)—I will offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will SING PRAISES unto Jehovah.

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PSALM 33:2
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(NIV)—Praise the LORD with the harp; MAKE MUSIC to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
(NLT)—Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre; MAKE MUSIC for him on the ten-stringed harp.
(KJV)—Praise the LORD with harp: SING unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
(NAS)—Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; SING PRAISES to Him with a harp of ten strings.
(ESV)—Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; MAKE MELODY to him with the harp of ten strings!
(NKJ)—Praise the LORD with the harp; MAKE MELODY to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
(ASV)—Give thanks unto Jehovah with the harp: SING PRAISES unto him with the psaltery of ten strings.

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EPHESIANS 5:19
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(NIV)—Speak . . . with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and MAKE MUSIC in your heart to the Lord,
(NLT)—… will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs . . ., MAKING MUSIC to the Lord in your hearts.
(KJV)—Speaking . . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and MAKING MELODY in your heart to the Lord;
(NAS)—speaking . . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and MAKING MELODY with your heart to the Lord;
(ESV)—addressing . . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and MAKING MELODY to the Lord with all your heart,
(NKJ)—speaking . . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and MAKING MELODY in your heart to the Lord,
(ASV)—speaking . . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and MAKING MELODY with your heart to the Lord;
————————————————————————————————————————————————

According to an independent, outside source, “The Diabolical System of Diaprax” (Christian Media – February 25, 2002): “Bibles (such as the NIV) are being translated via a system known as “dynamic equivalency” which is built on the process of the Diaprax — A TRANSLATIONAL DIALOGUE TO CONSENSUS [emphasis, dc].”

Let us compare only 3 of several passages that have references to either SINGING or MAKING MUSIC. The following Bible translations are used in the same order for each of the passages:

--- New International Version (NIV)
--- New Living Translation (NLT)
--- King James Version (KJV)
--- New American Standard Bible (NAS)
--- English Standard Version (ESV)
--- New King James Version (NKJ)
--- American Standard Version (ASV)

————————————————————————————————————————————————
PSALM 27:6
————————————————————————————————————————————————
(NIV)—I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and MAKE MUSIC to the LORD
(NLT)—I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and PRAISING the LORD with MUSIC.
(KJV)—I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will SING PRAISES unto the LORD.
(NAS)—I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will SING PRAISES to the LORD.
(ESV)—I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and MAKE MELODY to the LORD.
(NKJ)—I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will SING PRAISES to the LORD.
(ASV)—I will offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will SING PRAISES unto Jehovah.

————————————————————————————————————————————————
PSALM 33:2
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(NIV)—Praise the LORD with the harp; MAKE MUSIC to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
(NLT)—Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre; MAKE MUSIC for him on the ten-stringed harp.
(KJV)—Praise the LORD with harp: SING unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
(NAS)—Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; SING PRAISES to Him with a harp of ten strings.
(ESV)—Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; MAKE MELODY to him with the harp of ten strings!
(NKJ)—Praise the LORD with the harp; MAKE MELODY to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
(ASV)—Give thanks unto Jehovah with the harp: SING PRAISES unto him with the psaltery of ten strings.

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EPHESIANS 5:19
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(NIV)—Speak . . . with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and MAKE MUSIC in your heart to the Lord
(NLT)—… will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs . . ., MAKING MUSIC to the Lord in your hearts.
(KJV)—Speaking . . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and MAKING MELODY in your heart to the Lord;
(NAS)—speaking . . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and MAKING MELODY with your heart to the Lord;
(ESV)—addressing . . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and MAKING MELODY to the Lord with all your heart,
(NKJ)—speaking . . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and MAKING MELODY in your heart to the Lord,
(ASV)—speaking . . . in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and MAKING MELODY with your heart to the Lord;
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The following is an untitled e-mail I received recently. I believe that it was in response to the above preceding post titled: “SINGING (VOCAL ONLY) VS MUSIC (VOCAL &/OR INSTRUMENTAL)” under this thread.
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From: xxxxxxxxxx@comcast.net [mailto:xxxxxxxxxx@comcast.net]
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2003 6:49 PM
To: DonnieCruz@msn.com
Subject:

I am very unhappy to see such ignorance when it comes to this subject. I am a person that was granted musical talent by God, why else would he grant them to me if I wan't supposed to use them to praise him, right?

Now you used Eph 5:19 in your statement which says towards the end of the verse singing AND making melody in your heart to the lord JESUS CHRIST. Now lets get one thing clear, you can not send anything to the lord unless it's with you heart, and it is important to know that he will only accept things out of LOVE.

LOVE is the key to all of jesus' teachings and will be related on this subject. You mention in you topic that your only allowed to praise God with singing, but when you look at the scriptures it says SINGING AND MAKING MELODIES, NOT JUST SINGING. If the verse said singing BY making melodies then you would have an agruement but it doesn't it specifically states there are two ways to praise God...singing AND melodies (from instruments).

Now the last part of this is the most important, for everyone...Whatever you choose to do, when you praise God make sure that it is from the HEART and with LOVE, or it will be rejected. If you want to look up another script someone tried to tell me it states praising with instruments is wrong, Amos 5:21-23 which in the end states God despises offerings from SOLEMN ASSEMBLIES (churches). In other words if you offer it to him in a ungrateful, unrejoicful, or grave mood then it will be rejected. Please respond back.
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I have sent the correspondent the following:

Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2003 9:30 PM
Subject: RE: What thread were you referring to here? Was it from the NIV?
———————————————————————————————————————————
Thanks for the e-mail.

I’m not sure which thread you were referring to in your comments below. When I find out, I’ll go ahead and post your comments (of course, without disclosing your identity), as well as my response. Hopefully, the discussion will show tomorrow, Sunday, under the thread: “How did this dire prediction about the NIV come to pass at the MCC.”

Next time, please feel free to post on the Concerned Members forum. You may opt to identify yourself as, e.g., “Musical Talent” or something that we can address you by.

Thank you,

Donnie Cruz
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First, I am glad for your musical talent. I wish I had musical talent as well, as I would surely use it to God’s glory also. What I would like to point out, however, is that musical talent is a natural talent granted by God, and natural talents or gifts should not be confused with spiritual gifts specifically mentioned in the Corinthian letter.

The spiritual gifts listed in the epistle were as follows: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues. In I Cor. 12: 28—“God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? [30] Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” I Cor. 13—“[1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. … [8] Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (KJV)

Even with the short but sufficient list of spiritual gifts, it is noteworthy that some of these were beneficial only within certain timeframes, especially during apostolic times, with some of these to fail or cease or vanish away in time. I hope we’re able to make that distinction because arguments can go on forever when one assumes or mistakes natural talents for the particular spiritual gifts in Scripture. Song leading as a natural talent can be used in service to our Master, although it is not a spiritual gift. So, I agree with you that natural talents or gifts best serve the Lord, especially when done in love or charity.

My other point is that I listed Ephesians 5:19 in my original post simply to present a case regarding various translations, portions of which may be distorted or erroneous. We know that by singing, we mean simply VOCAL. But notice, only the NIV and NLT mention MUSIC or MAKING MUSIC, which by definition, may include vocal and/or instrumental. Webster’s definition of MELODY is musical quality as in the melody of a voice or melody of verse; any sweet sound; a succession of single tones in music; tune. Let’s review:
———————————————————————————————————————————
EPHESIANS 5:19 … psalms, hymns and spiritual songs …
———————————————————————————————————————————
(NIV)— . . . Sing and MAKE MUSIC in your heart to the Lord,
(NLT)— . . . MAKING MUSIC to the Lord in your hearts.
(KJV)— . . . singing and MAKING MELODY in your heart to the Lord;
(NAS)— . . . singing and MAKING MELODY with your heart to the Lord;
(ESV)— . . . singing and MAKING MELODY to the Lord with all your heart,
(NKJ)— . . . singing and MAKING MELODY in your heart to the Lord,
(ASV)— . . . singing and MAKING MELODY with your heart to the Lord;
———————————————————————————————————————————

I agree with you in the use of the conjunction “and” which connects singing and making melody. Firstly, there is a difference between the active command(s) to SING and MAKE MELODY and the passive activity of SINGING and/or MAKING MELODY—the latter implying an occurrence rather than a command. The same structure applies to the preceding clause “SPEAKING to yourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” implying an occurrence or passive activity, rather than a command to SPEAK. Can you imagine a mute Christian being commanded to SPEAK or a monotone to SING, although either one may be speaking or singing from the heart [I guess that’s possible]? Secondly, let us not forget the phrase “in your heart to the Lord” which implies that “singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” when taken as a complete thought, will eliminate the use of instruments.

Another passage that substantiates my argument is in Colossians 3:16—“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (KJV)

In this verse, the active command here is “LET DWELL” … what? “… the word of Christ.” The teaching and admonishing one another with the word of Christ are foremost. Notice that SINGING, again a passive activity, rather than a command, is an avenue through which we teach or learn the word of Christ. Notice also that it is “singing with grace in your hearts” which equates with “singing and making melody in your hearts.”

I realize that if a musical instrument were included, it would be specifically mentioned, as in Psalm 33:2—“Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; MAKE MELODY to him WITH the harp of ten strings!” (ESV) Even the reference you quoted from Amos states that making melody may be associated WITH something; in this case, “melody of thy viols.” Let us not forget, however, that as many references there are in the Old Testament to indicate the use of musical instruments, whether in pagan worship or in David’s praises or in certain assemblies, none justifies their uses in the gathering of New Testament Christians. I’m not even going to attempt to explain many of the OT practices and laws concerning blood sacrifices and offerings that are no longer binding on Christians today; otherwise, they should also continue today along with musical instruments.

Donnie Cruz

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Source: http://www.av1611.org/niv.html
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". . . ye have PERVERTED the words of the living God. . ." Jeremiah 23:36
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This generation has a hunger for perversion. What was perversion just a few years ago, is now "normal". What was "hiding" in the closet is now "parading" in our streets. Perversion has found a welcome home - from the living room, to the White House; from our churches - to even the word of God!

Our friend Webster, defines "pervert" as 1. to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true... 2. to twist the meaning or sense of: misinterpret (Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, 1977, p.856).

A perfect definition of The New International Version (NIV): "to cause to turn aside or away from what is good or true" and "to twist the meaning or sense of". If you doubt that, before you start reading this tract - get the NIV and check it as you read this tract!

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• The NIV perverts the deity of Jesus Christ!
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I TIMOTHY 3:16: The clearest verse in the Bible proclaiming that Jesus Christ was God. The King James Bible (KJB) reads, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH. . ." The King James says, plainly, "GOD was manifest in the flesh". The NIV reads, "HE appeared in a body". The NIV "twists" "GOD" to "HE". "HE appeared in a body"? So What? Everyone has "appeared in a body"! "He" is a pronoun that refers to a noun or antecedent. There is no antecedent in the context! The statement does NOT make sense! The NIV subtilty (see Genesis 3:1) perverts I Timothy 3:16 into utter nonsense!

PHILIPPIANS 2:6: The KJB again, clearly declares the deity of Jesus Christ: "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery TO BE EQUAL WITH GOD" The NIV reads, "Who, being in very nature God, DID NOT CONSIDER EQUALITY WITH GOD something to be grasped,". The NIV again subtitly perverts the deity of Jesus Christ!

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• The NIV perverts the virgin birth!
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LUKE 2:33: The King James Bible reads, "And JOSEPH and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him." The NIV reads, "The CHILD'S FATHER and mother marveled at what was said about him." The "CHILD'S FATHER"? Was Joseph Jesus's father? Not if you believe the virgin birth! Not if you believe John 3:16, that Jesus Christ was the Son of God! A subtil, "perversion" of the virgin birth. See also Luke 2:43.

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• The NIV removes the blood of Jesus Christ!
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COLOSSIANS 1:14: The KJB reads, "In whom we have redemption THROUGH HIS BLOOD, even the forgiveness of sins:" The NIV reads, "In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." The NIV rips out the precious words "THROUGH HIS BLOOD"! Friend, redemption is ONLY "THROUGH HIS BLOOD". Hebrews 9:22, reads, ". . . without shedding of BLOOD is no remission." That old song says, "What can wash away my sins, NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS!"

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• The NIV perverts John 3:16 into a LIE!
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JOHN 3:16: The NIV reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his ONE AND ONLY SON, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" Jesus was NOT "the one and only son" - Adam is called the "son of God" in Luke 3:38, there are "sons of God" in Job 1:6 and Christians are called "sons of God" in Phil 2:15, I John 3:2- but Jesus was the "ONLY BEGOTTEN SON"! By removing the critical word "BEGOTTEN" - The NIV perverts John 3:16 into a LIE! The NIV does the same in John 1:14, 1:18, and 3:18.


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TO BE CONTINUED . . .
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Source: http://www.av1611.org/niv.html
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• The NIV perverts TRUTH into LIES!
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The NIV perverts Mark 1:2,3 into a LIE! The NIV reads "It is written in Isaiah the prophet: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way-a voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." It is NOT written in Isaiah! "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way" - is found in Malachi 3:1! The King James correctly reads: "As it is written in the PROPHETS, . . ." A better translation! Easier to read - BY A LIE!

Psalms 119:160 says, "Thy word is TRUE. . ." John 17:17 says, ". . . thy word is TRUTH." Titus 1:2 clearly says, ". . . God that CANNOT LIE" How could the God of Titus 1:2 be the God of Mark 1:2,3 in the NIV!? IT IS IMPOSSIBLE! For Hebrews 6:18 clearly declares, ". . . it was IMPOSSIBLE for God to LIE" It is impossible for the LIES in the NIV to be the words of GOD! Whose words are they? I'll give you a hint - Jesus Christ calls him "A LIAR, and the father of it" in John 8:44!

The NIV again openly LIES in 2 Samuel 21:19, ". . . Elhanan son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod." What 8-year-old doesn't know that David killed Goliath?

Romans 1:18-32 describes the "path to perversion" and verse 25, describes their decline, "Who changed the TRUTH of God into a LIE. . ."! Not surprisingly, The NIV perverts Romans 1:25 from "CHANGED the truth of God INTO a lie" to "EXCHANGED the truth of God FOR a lie"!

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• The NIV and sexual perversion!
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Romans 1:26-32 also shows the "fruits" of "sowing" ". . . the TRUTH of God into a LIE. . ." Verses 26-27 says "FOR THIS CAUSE (vs 25 for "changing the TRUTH of God into a LIE") God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, . . ."

The last few years homosexuality and sexual perversion have "exploded" into the mainstream. Legislation is now pending making same-sex marriages legal. Books such as Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddy's Roommate, promoting homosexuality, are in our schools. According to The Washington Post, bisexuality and homosexuality, are the "in thing" in our public schools. And even churches are now welcoming homosexuals and are even ordaining them in the ministry!

A literary critic on the NIV translation was homosexual author Dr. Virginia Mollenkott. In Episcopal, Witness (June 1991, pp. 20-23), she admits, "My lesbianism has ALWAYS been a part of me. . ." To no surprise, "sodomite" is completely removed from the NIV. (Deut. 23:17, I Kings 14:24, 15:12, 22:46, II Kings 23:7) And of course, I Cor. 6:9, ". . . effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. . ." is replaced with the non-offensive ". . . nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders. . ." Notice the NIV in I Cor. 6:9 does NOT condemn "homosexuals" or the "act of homosexuality" - but ONLY "homosexual OFFENDERS".


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TO BE CONTINUED . . .
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Source: http://www.av1611.org/niv.html
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• The NIV & Zondervan
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A little known fact: In 1988 Zondervan and the NIV was purchased by Harper & Row, Publishers (now HarperCollins Publishers). HarperCollins publishes "pro-homosexual" books such as Making Out, The Book of Lesbian Sex and Sexuality described as "Beautifully illustrated with full-color photography,. . . Making Out is the complete illustrated guide to lesbian sexuality and relationships. . .the intricacies of love play. . ." and many other pro-homosexual books!

HarperCollins is a subsidiary of the global media empire, The News Corporation, owned by Rupert Murdock. The News Corporation empire include Fox Broadcasting, Twentieth Century Fox, and more than 128 newspapers. Fox Broadcasting produces some of the most sexually lewd shows on television. Murdock also publishes the British newspaper, the Sun, notorious for its nude pin-ups.

VERY IMPORTANT! For the REAL PROOF Check out this link to HarperCollins

Now where is Don Wildmon when we really need him? Don was quick to boycott Kmart because subsidiary, Waldenbooks sold Playboy and Penthouse. Kmart can't "hold a candle" to the "filth" spewed by The News Corporation. Why isn't Don boycotting Zondervan and the NIV? Friend, every time you purchase the NIV you are giving to people who produce pro-homosexuality, pornographic material — AND THE SATANIC BIBLE! "Can two walk together, except they be AGREED?" Amos 3:3

Jesus Christ plainly said in Matthew 7:17-18:

Even so every GOOD tree bringeth forth GOOD fruit; but a CORRUPT tree bringeth forth EVIL FRUIT. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a CORRUPT tree bring forth GOOD FRUIT. (Matthew 7:17-18)

Do you think Jesus Christ was LIEING?

Do you really believe God would ALLOW His HOLY word to be "owned" by that group? ". . . for what fellowship hath RIGHTEOUSNESS with UNRIGHTEOUSNESS? and what communion hath light with darkness?"2 Cor. 6:14

Do you actually believe God would ALLOW His Holy Word to be published by the same ungodly people who publish the Satanic Bible?

Being born again, not of CORRUPTIBLE seed, but of INCORRUPTIBLE, by the WORD OF GOD, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23)

Isn't it EQUALLY amazing that the King James Bible is the ONLY Bible that is not OWNED by men?

That's right! The King James Bible has no COPYRIGHT ownership! Its copyright is the CROWN COPYRIGHT which ALLOWS it to be published by ANYONE, ANYTIME! Without asking ANYBODY for permission!

". . . but the word of God is NOT BOUND." 2 Timothy 2:9

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• The NIV robs Jesus Christ of worship!
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In Matt. 8:2, 9:18, 15:25, 18:26, 20:20, Mark 5:6, 15:19 "worshipped him" is
removed in the NIV! Why doesn't the NIV want Jesus Christ to be worshipped? Hint: see Luke 4:7, Matt. 4:9.

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• The NIV perverts Jesus Christ into Lucifer!
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Isaiah 14:14 reveals Satan's grandest desire, "I will be like the most High." And with a little subtil perversion - the NIV in Isaiah 14:12 grants Satan's wish!

ISAIAH 14:12: The KJB reads, "How art thou fallen from heaven, O LUCIFER, son of the morning!. . ." The NIV PERversion reads, "How you have fallen from heaven, O MORNING STAR, son of the dawn. . ." The NIV change "Lucifer" to "MORNING STAR".

BUT WAIT. . . I thought the Lord Jesus Christ was the MORNING STAR?

Doesn't Revelation 22:16 say, "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and MORNING STAR".

The NIV CLEARY AND BLATANTLY makes LUCIFER -- The Lord Jesus Christ! WHAT BLASPHEMY! WHAT PERVERSION! And Christians claim the NIV is a "better translation"!

ISAIAH 14:15: The King James Bible condemns Lucifer to hell: "Yet thou shalt be brought down to HELL . . ." The NIV does NOT condemn Lucifer to HELL! The NIV reads, "But you are brought down to the GRAVE. . ." We all go to the GRAVE! Why doesn't the NIV want Satan in hell?

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TO BE CONTINUED . . .
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Source: http://www.av1611.org/niv.html
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• The NIV removes and perverts the place of hell!
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The word "hell" occurs 31 times in the Old Testament in the King James Bible. In the Old Testament of the NIV it occurs - ZERO! The word "hell" is NOT in the Old Testament of the NIV!

And what do they do with "hell"? Take PSALM 9:17 for example: The King James reads, "The wicked shall be turned into HELL. . ." The NIV, reads, "The wicked return to the GRAVE. . ." We ALL "return to the GRAVE"! By removing "hell" the NIV perverts Psalm 9:17 into nonsense!

In the New Testament the NIV zaps out "hell" 9 times. And what "clearer" "easier to understand" word does the NIV "update" hell with? Five times they use - HADES! (Matt 16:18, Rev 1:18, 6:8, 20:13,14) What "common person" understands HADES? Everybody knows what HELL is! Do you know what HADES is? Hades is not always a place of torment or terror. The Assyrian Hades is an abode of blessedness with silver skies called "Happy Fields". In the satanic New Age Movement, Hades is an intermediate state of purification! Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines HADES: "the underground abode of the dead in Greek MYTHOLOGY". The NIV perverts your Bible into MYTHOLOGY!

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• The NIV perverts The Lord's Prayer into The Devil's Prayer!
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LUKE 11:2-4: The KJB reads, ". . .Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil." The NIV removes everything that refers to a Holy God in heaven -"WHICH ART IN HEAVEN. . . Thy will be done, AS IN HEAVEN, so in earth. . . but DELIVER US FROM EVIL." Everything that distinguishes God from the Devil is REMOVED! "OUR FATHER" of the NIV is "NOT IN HEAVEN" and "DOES NOT DELIVER FROM EVIL!" I wonder who it could be? (hint: see John 8:44)

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TO BE CONTINUED . . .
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Source: http://www.av1611.org/niv.html
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• The Bible warns against taking away and adding to the words of God!
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Deuteronomy 4:2 reads: "YE SHALL NOT ADD unto the word which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH ought from it . . ."

Proverbs 30:6, reads, "ADD THOU NOT unto his words . . ."

And just in case you missed it, GOD'S LAST WARNING is Revelation 22:18,19, ". . . If any man SHALL ADD unto these things. . . And if any man shall TAKE AWAY FROM THE WORDS of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life. . ."

And Jesus Christ, in Luke 8:12, gives a clear aim of Satan, ". . . then cometh the devil, and TAKETH AWAY the word . . ."

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• The NIV completely "TAKETH AWAY" 17 verses!
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Wonderful and precious verses like:

MATTHEW 18:11: "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.".
ACTS 8:37: "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

The NIV PERversion completely "TAKETH AWAY" Matthew 17:21, 18:11, 23:14, Mark 7:16, 9:44, 9:46, 11:26, 15:28, Luke 17:36, 23:17, John 5:4, Acts 8:37, 15:34, 24:7, 28:28, Romans 16:24 and 1 John 5:7!

After Mark 16:8 the NIV says, "The most reliable early manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have Mark 16:9-20." ZAP-There goes another 12 verses! And by the way, that is absolutely untrue! The book, The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel of Mark, by Dean Burgon contains over 400 pages of documented evidence for Mark 16:9-20, that has never been refuted, nor ever will!

After John 7:52, the NIV, reads, "The earliest and most reliable manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have John 7:53-8:11" ZAP-There goes another 12 verses!

Matt. 12:47, 21:44, Luke 22:43 and 22:44 are all removed in the footnotes!

That's 45 complete verses the NIV removes from the text or in the footnotes!

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TO BE CONTINUED . . .
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Source: http://www.av1611.org/niv.html
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• The NIV "TAKETH AWAY" 64,576 words!
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Don't look for the "mercyseat" in the NIV - GONE!
Don't look for "Jehovah" in the NIV - GONE!
Don't look for the "Godhead" in the NIV - GONE!

The NIV removes wonderful Bible "terms" like remission, regeneration, impute, propitiation, new testament and many others!

Despite God's clear warnings about "taking away" from His words - the NIV removes 64,576 words! Over 8 percent of God's word is "TAKETH AWAY"!

That equals REMOVING the books of Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Malachi, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, James, I Peter, II Peter, I John, II John, III John, Jude and more - COMBINED!!! The equivalence of ripping out OVER 30 BOOKS of the Bible!

In case you think it's insignificant words like "thee" and "thou"? The NIV removes major portions of at least 147 verses!

Here's a small (very small) sampling of words removed in the NIV!

Matt. 6:13, "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
Matt. 15:8, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth"
Matt. 19:9, "and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery."
Matt. 20:7, "and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive."
Matt. 20:16, "for many be called, but few chosen."
Matt. 20:22, "and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with"
Matt. 25:13, "wherein the Son of Man cometh."
Matt. 27:35, "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet They parted my garments among them and upon my vesture did they cast lots"
Mark 6:11, "Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
Mark 10:21, "take up the cross."
Luke 1:28, "blessed art thou among women"
Luke 4:4, "but by every word of God"
Luke 4:8, "get thee behind me Satan"
Luke 4:18, "he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted"
Luke 11:2-4, "Our ... which art in ... Thy will be done, as in heaven so in earth... but deliver us from evil"
John 1:27, "is preferred before me"
John 3:13, "which is in heaven"
John 3:15, "should not perish"
John 11:41, "from the place where the dead was laid"
John 16:16, "because I go to the Father"
Acts 10:6, "he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do"
Acts 15:18, "Known unto God are all his works"
Acts 20:24, "But none of these things move me"
Acts 23:9, "let us not fight against God"
Rom. 8:1, "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit"
Rom. 13:9, "Thou shalt not bear false witness"
I Cor. 6:20, "and in your spirit which are God's"
I Cor. 11:24; "Take eat... broken"
II Cor. 10:4, "but mighty through God"
Gal. 3:1, "that you should not obey the truth"
Eph. 5:30, "of his flesh, and of his bones"
Phil. 3:16, "let us mind the same thing"
I Tim. 6:5, "from such wthdraw thyself"
Heb. 7:21, "after the order of Melchisedec"
I Pet. 1:22, "through the Spirit"
I Pet. 4:14, "on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified"
I John 4:3, "Christ is come in the flesh"
I John 5:13, "and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God"
Rev. 1:11, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last"
Rev. 5:14, "him that liveth for ever and ever"
Rev. 14:5, "before the throne of God"
Rev. 21:24, "of them which are saved"

Jesus Christ says, in Luke 4:4, ". . . It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD of God." But not according to the NIV! In fact, the NIV even "TAKETH AWAY" the last half of Luke 4:4 - "BUT BY EVERY WORD OF GOD"! And Jesus Christ was quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 to Satan! Does the NIV PERversion seriously think the Lord Jesus Christ does NOT know Duet. 8:3???


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TO BE CONTINUED . . .
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Source: http://www.av1611.org/niv.html
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• The LIES used to promote the NIV. . .
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LIE 1) The NIV "just" updates the "archaic" words and makes it "easier to understand". Nothing is "really changed.

FACT: The NIV denys the deity of Jesus Christ; the virgin birth; glorifies Satan; openly lie; removes 17 complete verses and 64,576 words!
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LIE 2) The NIV is easier to read and understand.

FACT: According to a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level research study, The King James Bible is by far the easiest! Out of 26 different categories - the King James graded easier in a whopping 23! In selected analysis, the KJB average grade level was 5.8 - the NIV was 8.4! (New Age Bible Versions, Riplinger, pp.195-209)
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LIE 3) Older and more reliable manuscripts have been discovered since the King James Bible.

FACT: Dr. Sam Gipp writes, "The fact is, that the King James translators had ALL OF THE READINGS available to them that modern critics have available to them today." (The Answer Book, Gipp, p.110) And furthermore, it is a well documented fact that 90 - 95 per cent of all readings agree with the King James Bible!
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LIE 4) The NIV is more accurate.

FACT: The KJB is a literal word for word translation. When the translators had to add words for sentence structure they are in italics. The NIV uses "dynamic equivalence". Rather than a word for word translation, they add, change and subtract to make the verse say what they "thought" it should! The Preface to the NIV even says, ". . .they have striven for more than a word-for-word translation. . ."
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". . . ye have PERVERTED the words of the living God. . ."
Jeremiah 23:36
The New International
PER-Version!


"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt KEEP them, O LORD, thou shalt PRESERVE them from this generation FOR EVER."
Psalms 12:6, 7
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Is the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
A Reliable Bible?

Mike McDaniel


Quite often this writer is asked his opinion of the New International Version. This version’s popularity seems to increase each year to the point of rivaling the King James Version. But in this writer’s judgment, the NIV is one of the worst translations.

There are three important factors that should be considered when choosing a reliable version: (1) The Greek text from which it is translated; (2) The translators who translated it; and (3) The translation itself.

There are two great texts from which versions are translated. There is the text called, the Received Text (or the Majority Text) from which the King James and the New King James have been translated. It is made up of 500 manuscripts, 2,000 copies, 2,500 uncials and lectionaries totaling 5,000 or more. This is indeed a majority text.

Then there is the Westcott and Hort Greek text which was first presented to the world in 1870. It relies heavily on two manuscripts which are very ancient but are filled with mistakes, contradiction, and omissions. Many of the modern versions including the NIV are translated from this Greek text. The publishers of the NKJV recognized the weaknesses and gross omissions in the Westcott and Hort Text and therefore used the Received Text.

The translators of the NIV came from some ten or more religious groups and, unfortunately, they did not leave their religious doctrines and prejudices at home when they went to the work of translation. There are many loosely translated passages, and when this is the case, it means the translators have left the words the Lord gave and have sought to clarify their meanings by interpreting them as they understand them.

Pentecostalism is supported by several passages. In I Corinthians 13:10, the word for "perfect" is incorrectly changed to "perfection." Thus, the NIV has miraculous gifts remaining not until the completing of revelation (James 1:25) but until a state of perfection arrives. This change also supports the premillennial kingdom concept. They do the same thing in Ephesians 4:13 where the NIV has miraculous gifts continuing until we all reach "unity in the faith." This means till we all believe the same thing. [KJV has "Unity of the faith" –which refers to the uniting of the system of faith, the Gospel]. No Gospel preacher can successfully show that miraculous gifts have ended from the NIV because the representatives of Oral Roberts, Rex Humbard, and the Nazarene church who served on the committees have rewritten it to fit their beliefs!

The NIV teaches premillennialism. In John 5:28, they changed the word "hour" to "time" even though the Greek word means "hour." Why? Because you just cannot pack premillennialism’s 1,000 years and two resurrections into one hour!

The NIV contains contradictions. In Matthew 5:17, it has Jesus saying, "Think not that I have come to abolish the law." Yet, in Ephesians 2:15, they have Paul to say that Jesus abolished in His flesh the law. That is flat contradiction. In, Hebrews 11:17, the NIV says that Abraham was about to sacrifice his one and only son. Here is another flat contradiction! In Romans 10:10 they have you saved at the point of faith in the first part of the verse and saved at the point of confession in the last part. The Greek is actually clear that in each instance (belief and confession) there is a looking forward to justification and salvation, not a reception of them.

Dr. D.A. Waite, in his book, New International Version, A Paraphrased Perversion Not An Accurate Translation, points out that in John 1:1-18 alone there are 39 examples and illustrations where the NIV has failed to translate properly from the Greek language to the English language. And that is not an isolated occurrence.

Friends, these are just a few reasons why this writer believes that the New International Version is based on an inferior Greek text, with inferior translators which have resulted in an inferior translation. It may be helpful to refer to it at times as you would a commentary. But you would do better to find a more reliable translation for your study Bible. The NIV simply takes too many unwarranted liberties with God’s Word to be a reliable Bible.

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http://webpages.charter.net/kyarbrough/niv.htm

A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

Gary McDade


The Getwell church of Christ hosts a cutting edge web site designed and maintained by one of our church secretaries, Brenda Smitherman. In the last six months of 1999, more than two thousand people visited our web site. (The address of the web site is posted on page one of the bulletin). This communication tool brings us closer to people throughout the United States and around the world. Occasionally, questions are addressed to us through the web site.

One such question addressed in this article, which will be added to the information available on the web site, comes to us from Burnell Matthews from Brunswick, Maine. He wrote, "Request any information about the NIV translation/doctrinal errors." Perhaps the reply to him will be of interest to you.

THE PREFACE
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 Cor. 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 erroneous commentary would be because it has been presented as if it were the Bible itself.

TRANSLATION/DOCTRINAL ERRORS
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.

PSALM 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.

The denominations listed in the Preface have for many, many years objected to the teaching of the Lord on the essentiality 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 following 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.

I 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 (Eph. 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
The NIV is preferred over the KJV and ASV by many who believe it is easier to read and understand. If that is true, then it would also make the many errors it contains easy to understand and believe. Any translation done by men may contain errors, but the KJV and ASV are preferred over the NIV.

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http://members.aol.com/getwellcc/page04.html

Getwell Church of Christ
1511 Getwell Road
Memphis, TN 38111-7299