I guess there is an ongoing group of revisers who are
even further updating the NIV that has been around for some time now. In
addition to the previous changes and deletions in the NIV, they are
now trying to make the Bible more "politically correct" by getting rid
of some of the references to hurtful, prejudicial, and narrow minded
words like "man, men, he, him," and "father." In our New Testament
there are two places Jesus gave us a model for prayer. These are
Matthew 6:9-13 and
Luke 11:2-4. I've been to the TNIV web site
<http://www.tniv.info/> and read the two passages where that prayer
occurs. So far they have not changed the 2001 version to read
differently than the 1973 version. Both still use the word "Father."
That prayer is known as the "Our Father," the "Lord's Prayer," or the
"Pater noster." Christians have been praying that prayer either
literally or by using it as an example or outline for prayer for
centuries. A while back I thought of how that ancient prayer
might be updated to be more "seeker sensitive" or "inclusive" or
"politically correct." If the Lord's Prayer is part of your prayers,
you might want to update it to something more modern like this:
Our parent who dwells within all humankind,
we give you honor as our divine father/mother/god.
May your influence spread throughout the earth.
We find in you the fulfillment for each of our spiritual, material,
emotional and psychological needs.
Help us to acknowledge the divine spark of goodness within ourselves
and to recognize and affirm that divine spark within all humankind.
Help us to think of ourselves in only positive terms
and clear us of all negative thoughts and images.
Now, isn't that much better than all that old, outdated KJV English
that has confused you for years?
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