History of the NIV

For EFCA Bible Quizzing, we always use the NIV (New International Version). Over the years, some quizzers have accidentally studied other translations of the Bible, leading them to wonder "What is so special about the NIV?" Click on through for a brief history of this version, and some of its distinctives.

From the beginning of the project, the Committee on Bible Translation held to certain goals for the New International Version: that it would be an accurate translation and one that would have clarity and literary quality and so prove suitable for public and private reading, teaching, preaching, memorizing and liturgical use. The Committee also sought to preserve some measure of continuity with the long tradition of translating the Scriptures into English.

When you can't always go back to the Greek (can you imagine quizzing in a different language?) you have to choose a translation, and the NIV is one of the best for preserving the original intent, while still being readable for modern English speakers.