The classic NIV has disappeared has disappeared online

And not soon enough.

1 Kings 8:60 - so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other.

It’s a long story, but were it not for the WELS’ decision to make a clean break with the KJV and move to the NIV in the late ’70s (when I was in Lutheran grade school), I may still be in the Lutheran church today. Thus, the issue of the NIV is one that hits close to home for me, as it is intertwined with my life story and Christian testimony.

Frankly, with the plethora of good English Bible versions we have today, I see precious little use for the NIV. I know that some disagree, but I personally would not recommend it or group it in the class of “good” or “literal” Bible translations with the KJV, NKJV, NASB or ESV.

Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry

although I use it more for OT narratives and NT narratives. It has been a powerful force as God’s Word with Christ’s Good News. The publishers are making a foolish decision. It’s still on my Bible Works program. My main Bible is the NASB 95 update.

SamH