Rippon, in certain cases the gender could be seen as neutral with no harm done to the text. In other cases, such as when the saved are called "the sons of God" much harm is done, for instance:
1 Now I say that as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. 2 Instead, he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were in slavery under the elemental forces of the world. 4 But when the completion of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “ Abba, Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
Gal 4:1-7 (HCSB)
The word "sons" is used inclusive of male and female, and rendering this particular passage gender neutral and making it say "sons and daughters" or perhaps "children" makes the passage null and void, for in the biblical system, SONS inherit, daughters do not. What Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is saying here is that WE CAN ALL INHERIT AS IF WE ARE SONS! Praise God, that is so much more powerful than not being capable of inheritance at all!
It is those who do not understand some of the theological issues involved, and who merely wish to make their readers happy (itching ears!) with the text that they read that change elements such as these that are critical to God's revelation for us as His, yes, SONS.
The NIV dances around this somewhat by carefully selecting the times it uses "children" in place of "sons", but the text is still damaged, for Paul intended to use the term "sons" here. If not, he was capable of using other terms, but his argument is that of a lawyer for the Word -- precise and each word parsed to mean exactly what Paul intended to say.
(NIV) 1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
(TNIV) 1 What I am saying is that as long as heirs are underage they are no different from slaves, although they own the whole estate. 2 They are subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by their fathers. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer slaves, but God’s children; and since you are his children, he has made you also heirs.
