I find lists that seek to synthesize large periods of time (such as end-of-year lists) helpful in providing a birds-eye view of cultural development. While it could be said that lists such as this have more in common with the particular author’s viewpoint or bias, I would venture to affirm that a magazine such as Christianity Today holds a larger degree of impartiality.
The reason that I am citing this particular end-of-year list is that the majority of the top issues directly related to an exercise of authority. Only #2 and #6 move away from this distinction. This should come as no surprise to anyone. The issue of what gives a person or a group of peaople the right to act in certain ways and affirm certain beliefs always boils down to the category of authority. We should be on guard, and teach our families to be on guard, when groups of religious people or religious institutions begin to minimize the authority of God’s Word, the Bible. We should also we wary of people or groups of people that pander after absolute solutions that are divorced from Biblical truth. Why? If we disconnect a remedy for living from a sure foundation, an authority such as God’s Word, we will simply be replacing one fickle view with another. I believe this is exactly why Christians should place no confidence in the hope that reforming our political system would lead to ensuring God’s blessing. There are no Christian nations only Christian people. We put our hope in Jesus and are responsible as American citizens to vote, act, and encourage an ethic that finds its roots in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I get surprised/frustrated with the vehemence Evangelicals have attacked the TNIV. Having personally met Bruce Waltke, you could see the hurt as he vented how no one ever asked why they used gender inclusive language in the translation. The translation was merely demagogued as liberal with feminist sympathies (i.e. Vernon Poythress, Christianity Today). No interviews were given, few questions asked. And then the ESV came out and has been touted to practically have been the translation Jesus himself used. I can’t say how many times I have heard it described as “the version without liberal bias”(which is absolutely ridiculous) as if a portion of each sale goes to the Republican party.
Bible translations are designed for specific purposes. The TNIV uses gender inclusive language because that is what is common today. Waltke laments degrading of the English language(seriously he talked for 10 mins about the loss of the distinction b/w will/shall), but it is the reality of modern English to speak in general terms. The ESV in the OT tends to be a bit archaic, but I enjoy that. It is worth mentioning that I do not own the TNIV (designed for those who only know modern English or ESOL) and just purchased an ESV study bible for my wife. I like the ESV I just wish that evangelicals would be more considerate of their brethren before assuming the worst about them. I can only attribute this attitude to ignorance, innacurate teaching and/or too much Sean Hannity :).
As purely a translation I find the NIV is more accurate with Hebrew for reading purposes. If I want to study it I will read the Hebrew using accordance bible software or use my NAS/ESV(more readable than the NAS)
Eric, thanks for your posting. It serves as a stark reminder that even people who are very bright in theological ideas/concepts need to govern their actions with love and sincerity for fellow followers of Jesus Christ. Just as some lay-people are prone to struggle in certain areas I have found that those who minister as professors of God’s Word can became callous and cold in their walk with Jesus. Modern media has not helped this issue since it is easier to shoot-off a scathing email than it is to pick up the phone and start a dialogue.
Thanks for the reminder.