There is a widespread misconception that the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible is bad because it deviates from other translations of the scriptures in many ways, in which some parts have opposing beliefs to what is perceived to be true to most of the audience. The following is a list of the most common criticisms leveled against the NIV Bible:
1. There are a lot of missing verses.
The NIV Bible has about 30% fewer verses than the King James Version (KJV). This means that there are a lot of important passages that are not included in the NIV Bible. While it is true that the NIV Bible has fewer verses than the King James Bible, this does not mean it is terrible.
This is due to some of its less essential verses being left out to make it more readable. Nonetheless, the missing verses can still be found in other Bible translations, such as the King James Bible.
2. The NIV Bible contradicts other Bible translations.
Another reason why people think the NIV Bible is wrong is that it contradicts other Bible translations. For example, the NIV Bible says that Jesus was crucified on a cross, while the King James Bible says that he was crucified on a tree. This contradiction happens because the NIV Bible was translated from different ancient manuscripts than the King James Bible, which confused readers.
3. Some verse meanings have changed due to translation.
The different word choices in the NIV Bible can change the meaning of some verses. For example, the NIV Bible says that Jesus was “born of a virgin,” while the King James Bible says that Jesus was “conceived by the Holy Spirit.” However, this does not mean that the NIV Bible is bad. It just means that readers must be careful when reading the NIV Bible.
4. The NIV Bible denies that Christ is the creator.
Many were outraged when they learned that the NIV Bible denies Christ as the creator. However, the truth is that the NIV Bible does not deny Christ as the creator. The verse in question, specifically the Colossians, actually affirms that Christ is the creator. The problem is that the word “firstborn” can be translated as “only begotten,” which changes the meaning of the verse.
5. The NIV suggests that Christ’s father is Joseph.
Another thing that caused outrage among Christians is that the NIV Bible suggests that Christ’s father is Joseph. This is because the NIV Bible uses the word “father” to describe Joseph when discussing Jesus.
The NIV Bible does not say that Joseph is Christ’s father. The word “father” can refer to someone who is not a biological father. In this case, it refers to Joseph as the legal father of Jesus.
6. The NIV version underestimates Christ’s miracles.
Some Christians think that the NIV Bible somehow underestimates Christ’s miracles. For example, the NIV Bible says that Jesus turned “water into wine,” while the King James Bible says that he turned “water into blood.
However, the truth is that the NIV Bible does not underestimate Christ’s miracles. The different word choices are simply due to various ancient manuscripts. The NIV Bible is based on a different set of manuscripts than the King James Bible.
7. The NIV has eliminated Christ’s comfort.
Some Christians think that the NIV Bible has eliminated Christ’s comfort. For example, the NIV Bible says that Jesus was “comforted by the Spirit,” while the King James Bible says that he was “strengthened by the Spirit.”
The different word choices in the NIV Bible do not eliminate Christ’s comfort. Instead, it is open to interpretation. The way a reader interprets the verse will depend on their personal experiences.
8. NIV has removed Christ’s teachings.
There are also claims that the NIV Bible has removed Christ’s teachings. One is that the NIV Bible does not include the story of a woman caught in adultery. This is false information since His teachings are primarily not included in the main body of the text. Instead, it is included in a footnote.
9. NIV has changed Christ’s model of prayer.
Another claim is that the NIV Bible has changed Christ’s model of prayer. The NIV Bible says, “deliver us from the evil one,” while the King James Bible says, “deliver us from evil.” This is false because the NIV Bible uses a different translation of the original Greek text.
10. NIV removed Messianic prophecies.
Some Christians claim that the NIV Bible removed Messianic prophecies, saying that the NIV Bible does not include the prophecy of Isaiah 53. This isn’t true since the NIV Bible has that prophecy in a footnote. Therefore, it is not easily visible unless the reader looks explicitly for it.
Conclusion
The NIV Bible has remained controversial in recent years up to date. Many Christians think it is a bad Bible because of the changes that have been made to it. On the other hand, some Christians believe that the NIV Bible is good because it is easier to understand than different versions of the Bible. As Christians, it’s essential to remember that no translation of the Bible is perfect. There will always be some differences between its translations due to language and perspective differences. It may not be perfect, but it is still a good choice for those who want to read the Bible in a readable format.
