The NIV 2011 is a very readable translation and so for today's school graduates, it is a blessing. We with gray beards understand words from a time long past, and we resist the language of today. So while I study from my trusty NASB, I still compare with the NIV, NKJV, and ESV. And more and more I seek out the NET and HCSB.
In summary, I think the NIV 2011 would be fine for a pew bible, especially if the church is reaching today's generation and not those that memorized the KJV verses in Sunday School more than 50 years ago.
Ever ask why the need for that "blessing" exists? Avoiding, for a moment, that the Bible and prayer have been removed from schools, why aren't the schools teaching "graduates" to read English? Are language classes now milk instead of meat? Teaching just enough for students to pass mandated end of year achievement tests?
This old grey head remembers language classes that included studies of Shakespeare, Chaucer, use of dictionaries, lofty words of poetry, context to derive meaning, and more. That includes second person pronouns, as understanding them was needed for than just reading the Bible. From a source that supports modern versions:
Eventually, English will develop a second-person plural pronoun, but until we reach a consensus, the great pronoun famine continues.
http://www.kencollins.com/explanations/why-05.htm
On a parallel note, this old grey head also remembers civics classes while in school. We were taught the Constitution and Bill of Rights. We were taught the differences between various forms of government and the premise of checks and balances built into the framework of the US founding.
You may ask, why bring this into this conversation? Civics, from what I understand, is no longer being taught in schools. Graduates no longer have the same level education needed evaluate what they hear from politicians, as it relates to the Constitution.
How many can read, with understanding, the Constitution, as originally written? Has teaching of English been so simplified, that the average graduate can't grasp the content without having a "modern" version translated for them? (Yes, I know the counter arguements with what's probably a poor choice of words, here.)
The Bible, prayer, and civics (for example) have been removed from schools. Apparently, teaching the English language, is suffering from a lack of depth of instruction in usage and understanding, as well.
FWIW, I have several different translations of the Bible, plus use on-line resources to access others. However, the version that I reach for first is the KJB. Yes, I memorized KJB verses 50 plus years ago. Yes, I tried a NIV version for roughly 6 months as my primary Bible for everyday usage.
No, a NIV 2011, isn't a blessing IMO. I'm not saying that any Bible version can't be used to bring the lost to Christ. The words of God, from any source, even those on a business card can be used to touch the heart of an unbeliever. However, I am saying that more and more new translations/versions, simplified for ease of reading isn't addressing the core problems of today.
Why do us grey beards understand the words of the past and today's graduates don't? How much responsibility does the church bear in this regard? The church allowed, yes, allowed the Bible and prayer to be removed from the schools. The church allowed standards for language education to be changed/lowered in both schools and churches.
The same "graduates" who can't read a KJB also can't read great literature from the past. There's so much more in our daily lives that they can't read, with understanding, either. Can they read the by-laws of their church or the company manual where they work with adequate comprehension? Or, gasp the implications when they cast a vote for a referendum on a ballot?
Are new, easier to read Bibles, put into the back of church pews the real solution? Or is it a stop-gap measure that's a "token" gesture to those who can't because they haven't been taught or won't....
2 Timothy 2: (KJB)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
