From:  (Ken Smith)
Newsgroups: aus.religion.christian
Subject: Re: NIV - gender-specific (pity!)
Date: 30 Nov 1998 23:33:11 GMT

 () writes:

>On 27 Nov 1998 07:01:01 GMT,  (Ken Smith) wrote:

>Thank you Andrew, Mike and Ken.

>What I hear you saying is that previous language, once appropriate for
>describing all humanity (man) is now deemed inappropriate and newer
>more relevant words are required for those words.

>Additionally, I hear you saying this is different to gender
>inclusiveness and attempts of some people (not men!) to change gender
>specific language in the original texts (languages) and so neuter
>and/or feminise God and way He choses to reveal Himself to us.

Let me add another version.
In I Timothy 2 the CEV (Contemporary English Version) uses "people" in
both the places I mentioned.
This is as misleading as the NIV which uses "men" in both places.

>Am I on track with this?  Any other ideas and feedback would be
>appreciated.

You're on track.
So try using the NRSV, New Jerusalem, revised Good News, Revised English
Bible, ... or one of the others which has taken care to ensure that when
gender nuetral language is used in the original language, it is also
used in the translation.
In nearly all cases, reading the Preface will provide the information
you want.

>Why do you think the generalist translations are no longer
>appropriate?  Is it as a result of feminist activism in society and
>the Church?  If so, is that a good thing, and why and in what ways?

I'm not sure what you mean by "generalist translations".
If you mean those which insist that "men" is an inclusive term which
covers women as well, it indicates that those who push this view simply
haven't caught up with changes in the way English is used.
If we continue to insist that only those translations which follow the
King James version in its use of "men" are correct, we are saying that
we must go back to using 15th century language.
People will then, correctly, write us all off as living in the past, and
hving nothing to communicate to 21st century people.

>Lindsay

Ken Smith
--
Dr Ken Smith <> | "God, we know you are in charge, but why
Department of Mathematics,         |  don't you make it slightly more obvious?"
The University of Queensland,      |        Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 1990
St Lucia, Qld. 4072.  Australia.   |   (address to students at at West Point)

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