NIV: New International...or Non-Inspired?

GodThoughts Wired! NIV: New International...or Non-Inspired? Brad Reiches Feb 28 2006 01:00AM Tuesday, February 28, 2006 GodThoughts Wired!  "NIV"  New International...or Non-Inspired? Part 1 In the deepest recesses of my soul, at the very core and essence of my relationship with God, I have an intense hunger and thirst to become the man that God intended.  A large part of that quest transcends my ministry as a pastor and the author of GodThoughts.  The Lord has extended an invitation to me to become "skilled in His word" (see Proverbs 22:29).  The following study reflects this desire.  My goal is certainly not to offend anyone.  Nonetheless, I'm utterly compelled to report my findings.  To reveal the results of an ongoing personal study that is currently entering its third year.  The next couple of days will be devoted to an introduction to the most literal of "Bible Studies." It begins with an ever-increasing concern regarding the myriad of books you can find at the local Christian Bookstore called, "Bibles."  We know, of course, that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant word of God, as originally given.  We also are aware that there no longer exist any of the original writings (specifically referred to as the "original autographs") as penned by the biblical authors.  However, we also know that the copies of such documents that do remain are utterly reliable (miraculously so). But who is monitoring the books that are showing up in the bookstores called, "Bibles."  Who are the "watchmen" of the 21st century to assure us that the "book" we study on Sunday mornings in church is an accurate representation of the inspired words, originally given.  Well, enough formalities, let me just jump right in. Deuteronomy 4:2 says, "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it." (bold mine, See also, Deuteronomy 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18-19). And yet, "an appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land" (see Jeremiah 5:31).  For example, Matthew 6:13b: The original Greek:  "hoti (for) sou (yours) estin (is) he (the) basileia (kingdom) kai (and) he (the) dunamis (power) kai (and) he (the) doxa (glory) eis (to) tous (the) aionas (ages).  amen (Amen)."  Indeed, the original is the perfect and inerrant, inspired (God-breathed) word of God. The King James Version (an "old English," word for word translation):  "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen."  An absolutely accurate translation; completely true to the original. The New American Standard Version (a modern English, word for word translation):  "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen."  Another absolutely accurate translation; completely true to the original. And then there's the New International Version ("a completely new translation...they have striven for more than a word-for-word translation"*), the most popular version in America.  A book used by thousands of pastors, read and preached from thousands of pulpits across the United States: Matthew 6:13b says...NOTHING!  IT'S GONE!  YOU CAN'T FIND IT!  IT DOESN'T EXIST!  Over 99% of all Greek New Testament documents in existence contain what the NIV leaves out!  The apostle Paul quotes from it in 2 Timothy 4:18 but the NIV deletes it!  But someone says, "Oh, pastor Brad, that's just one example."  To that person I say, "Oh, no, no, no, no, NO!  I'm just getting started my brother."  But even if it was THE ONLY EXAMPLE, is it not enough to engage the warnings in Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:6 and Revelation 22:18-19? "And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy..." NIV:  New International Version...or Non-Inspired Version?** *NIV, translators preface. **Brothers and sisters, oh how I want to encourage you to pass this series along to your pastor if he/she uses the NIV version.  I'd be happy to send them some complementary resources to encourage them in their own studies.  My purpose is not to discourage, but to instruct.