Question
Would you happen to have verifiable proof regarding the committee of Lesbians that were working on the NIV?
Answer
No, I wouldn't have that information. All that I do know that the committee surely included Christians and non-Christians, as did the committee that put together the King James Bible and nearly every other Bible. What their particular sins were would vary. I am sure that even the true Christians that worked on the various Bible translations had some hidden sins known only to them and the Lord. But the Holy Spirit had to protect the translations to ensure that God's Word was correctly transmitted to Christian and non-Christians in order to hold them accountable to the truth. You see, God has the ability to "make" the authors and translators of Scripture write down just what He wants:
"For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." [2 Peter 1:21] Don't forget that even the authors of Scripture were sinners too....
It is not so shocking that some translators were involved in gross sins, for:
Moses, who was the human author of the first five Books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) was a murderer, for he committed murder "as a Christian" (Exo 2:11-12).
King David, who authored most of the Psalms committed adultery and murder as a Christian (2 Sam 11).
Solomon, who wrote the Book of Proverbs, and the Song of Solomon, "had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been." [1 Kings 11:3-4]
The Apostle Paul who authored much of the New Testament was a mass murder prior to salvation and declares that he was the worst sinner that ever lived, or would live on earth (1 Tim 1:15-16).
So, I am not too concerned about "sinners" (Christian and non-Christians) working on the Bible translation committees, since many of the human authors also committed some gross sins. Every Bible is the Word of God--none are perfect (except the original manuscripts, which don't exist)--some Bibles are more accurate than others, but they are all the Word of God....the Holy Spirit guarantees that.
The really important issue is not the Bible translation, but rather: "Whatever Bible translation you have--is that you read it and do what it says."
I am glad that God can use "sinners" in the ministry of His Word for it gives me hope...
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "Tony Capoccia's Questions and Answers" by:
Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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