Action News 5 - Memphis, TennesseeUpdated translation of NIV Bible causes controversy

Updated translation of NIV Bible causes controversy

Posted: Updated:
By Ben Watson - bio | email
MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) - Nashville-based LifeWay Christian Resources has a new, gender-inclusive Bible on shelves, but the new version is stirring complaints and calls from some Baptist preachers to take the book off store shelves.

Sunday School at Christian Unity Missionary Baptist Church in downtown Memphis is taught with the King James Version of the Bible, and pastor W. E. Edwards said he is determined things will stay that way.

"King James is the only Bible, you know," said Edwards.  "Only Bible I want to know."

In some other Baptist churches across the country, the New International Version of the Bible is being used, and that has some people upset.

Critics claim the translation, which was updated in 2011, is filled with errors, especially when it comes to language that has to do with gender.

"The problem is that they take some of the wording out to fit them," said Edwards.  "Not to fit them, per se, but to put it in their own words so you can understand it better."

Edwards said he is concerned that the New International Version could lead to a misunderstanding of what the original writers of the King James Version had intended.

"Talking about the NIV version is altogether different than the King James Version because they put it in their own words," said Edwards.  "We get ours from the inspired prophets that wrote this Bible, which is the King James Version, and it may be in some instances different wording, but it's not the same."

Edwards said there are plenty of Baptist churches around the country that agree with him.

"We want to continue reading the King James Version and not the NIV version," he said.

A spokesperson for LifeWay Christian Resources said the company does not believe that the 2011 New International Version rises to the level where it should be pulled from store shelves or censored.

Copyright 2012 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 9:33 AM EDT2012-05-23 13:33:13 GMT
    MEMPHIS, TN - (WMC-TV) – The year was 1962. Ray Charles' "I Can't Stop Loving You" was at the top of the charts when a high school sophomore named Dave Brown landed his first job in broadcasting. "Dave
    High school sophomore Dave Brown landed his first job in broadcasting in 1962.  Fifty years later, Dave is still in the business and has no intention of getting out any time soon.

  • Tuesday, May 22 2012 11:49 PM EDT2012-05-23 03:49:16 GMT
    The story of a Tennessee father of 30 made national headlines when he petitioned the state for child support. Since then, Action News 5 has found two Mid-South dads who are working to feed more than a
    The story of a Tennessee father of 30 made national headlines when he petitioned the state for child support. Since then, Action News 5 has found two Mid-South dads who are working to feed more than a combined 40 children.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 11:40 AM EDT2012-05-23 15:40:37 GMT
    (WMC-TV) - The fight for Grayson Walker is going viral online. His mother, Heather Walker, posted photos of his birth defects on Facebook only to be temporarily banned from the social network. Facebook
    The fight for Grayson Walker is going viral online.

    Facebook apologized to the baby's mother and now people across the globe are rallying around the Walker family.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 7:24 PM EDT2012-05-23 23:24:49 GMT
    (WMC-TV) – Three local high schools found out they are three of the best schools in the country according to Newsweek Magazine. Germantown High School, Collierville High School, and Houston High School
    (WMC-TV) – Three local high schools found out they are three of the best schools in the country according to Newsweek Magazine. Germantown High School, Collierville High School, and Houston High School

  • Tuesday, May 22 2012 12:15 PM EDT2012-05-22 16:15:22 GMT
    (WMC-TV) – He is a celebrated legend, a hero in the community. He is the man who has tracked storms and kept us safe from severe weather for decades. Dave Brown is celebrating 50 years in Mid-South broadcasting. But
    (WMC-TV) – He is a celebrated legend, a hero in the community. He is the man who has tracked storms and kept us safe from severe weather for decades. Dave Brown is celebrating 50 years in Mid-South broadcasting. But

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 9:25 AM EDT2012-05-23 13:25:19 GMT
    COLLIERVILLE, TN - (WMC-TV) – More than a dozen customers taken hostage during a robbery are grateful the armed men who stormed a Collierville Walgreens are in custody. Fortunately, three male suspects
    More than a dozen customers taken hostage during a robbery are grateful the armed men who stormed a Collierville Walgreens are in custody. Fortunately, three male suspects and a female getaway driver did not get far after police say they robbed the store where customers and employees were forced at gunpoint to lie on the floor. 

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 7:38 PM EDT2012-05-23 23:38:11 GMT
    (WMC-TV) – The story about a Memphis mother who was shot for telling a gang they could not recruit her daughter propelled a Collierville mother into action. After witnessing Beverly Dean's bravery, Cheri
    A mother is reaching out to another after hearing her story about being shot while trying to protect her daughter from gang recruitment. 

  • Tuesday, May 22 2012 7:46 AM EDT2012-05-22 11:46:12 GMT
    Parents may pay the price for an illicit love affair between a teenage girl and her grown-up boyfriend. Stephen Rogers Jr. faces a charge of statutory rape, but police here also charged his girlfriend's
    Parents may pay the price for an illicit love affair between a teenage girl and her grown-up boyfriend.

  • Hawkins County Commission members have demanded an explanation after a child was denied a hot school lunch for not having enough money.
    Hawkins County Commission members have demanded an explanation after a child was denied a hot school lunch for not having enough money.

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 1:23 PM EDT2012-05-23 17:23:59 GMT
    (RNN) Shareholders are suing Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook Inc. and banks who were underwriters for the social network, including Morgan Stanley, claiming information was concealed ahead of the Facebook's
    Shareholders are suing Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook Inc., and banks who were underwriters for the social network - including Morgan Stanley, claiming information was concealed ahead of the Facebook's initial public offering, Reuters reports.