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This coming fall, you can expect to see in the pages of Christianity Today a vigorous exchange about the translation issues raised by the TNIV—Today's New International Version. But don't look for it in our advertising pages.

The TNIV continues to trouble some members of our evangelical family. Though few biblical scholars are registering alarm, a number of ministry leaders are—so much so that recently 100 prominent evangelicals signed a "Statement of Concern," seeking to publish it in a variety of magazines as an advertisement against the TNIV. The names of the signers and the money committed to buying advertising space show that this is no marginal group of whiners looking for some publicity. They are serious people genuinely concerned about the suitability of the TNIV.

They came to Christianity Today seeking ad space. The ad was temperate and clearly reasoned, but we had to reject it. CT's parent company has a policy that prohibits us from publishing ads that call into question fellow Christians, their institutions, or their products.

This isn't the first time we've turned down such an offer, and as tempted as we might be at times to change the policy, we refuse to budge. We believe in healthy debate, and we don't think that important ideas should be promoted only by people with money to buy advertising space. We feel this leads to superficial argument. Think of recent political campaigns; they often became contests between advertising budgets.

So we've rejected the ad—but not the concern of its signers. We've invited them, in fact, to give more than a one- or two-page summary of their views (as per an advertisement), but instead a fuller expression of their arguments. Naturally, we'll have pro-TNIV writers as well. Our hope is that each side will engage not straw men but the fundamental concerns of one another. We can't control what each side says, but we will insist on a frank and irenic exchange of views. Look for this in our October issue.

In the meantime, you can get up to speed on the debate by following our news coverage, both in our pages and online. Also online are the "Statement of Concern about the TNIV Bible" and a response at the TNIV website.

Mark Galli is managing editor of Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Christianity Today's earlier coverage of the TNIV debate includes:

Why the TNIV Draws Ire | No translation is perfect, and each must be read with a careful exegetical eye. A Christianity Today editorial. (Mar. 19, 2002)

TNIV Critics Blast Scripture 'Distortions' | But evangelical backers of the new translation say gender changes are 'accurate.' (Mar. 19, 2002)

Which Version Should We Use? | What we said when the NIV was first published. A Christianity Today editorial (Mar. 19, 2002)

Christian History Corner: Translation Wars | Sharp as debate over the TNIV may be, the version's translators are getting off easy compared to John Wycliffe and William Tyndale. (March 1, 2002)

Weblog: The TNIV Battle Continues | Dobson and others launch "Kept the Faith" to accuse TNIV creators of violating their word and God's (Feb. 11, 2002)

Comparing the Three NIVs | How does the TNIV treat verses that were earlier criticized as theologically incorrect? (Jan. 31, 2002)

Weblog: Southern Baptist Leaders So Upset About TNIV That Denomination May Abandon NIV (Jan. 29, 2002)

Revised NIV Makes Its Debut | Translators alter 7 percent of the text to update style and gender issues. (Jan. 28, 2002)

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June (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46