Former ESV Advocate Now Champions TNIV, NLTse

In his recent post, "Just Another ESV Rant," Gary Zimmerli, owner of the Friend of Christ blog says that he's no longer recommending the ESV. From now on, he'll be recommending translations like the TNIV and NLTse.

Why would Gary make this switch? Here's his reasoning:

I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll have to say it again and again: the ESV is an old translation (the RSV), simply revised to remove "liberalisms" that are not acceptable to the reformed/evangelical crowd. It's English in many cases is old and poor, and it contains a lot of "Biblese," what some people call "Church language." It may be all right for "scholars," but I think many of those "scholars" will find other translations are much more accurate and better for study.

For young people, and for the typical biblically-illiterate church-goer, they may be attracted to the neat, cool covers that Crossway is putting on the ESV, but they would be better off going for an NLTse or a TNIV, (or even an NIV!) with a neat, cool cover.

But even for "non-young people," Gary still recommends something besides the ESV:

And for us older folks and serious Bible scholars, we'd be better off going for an NLTse or a TNIV, (or even an NIV!) with a nice, conservative, black or burgundy cover. Or if we want to get a little deeper, an NASB or a NET Bible, with a nice, conservative, black or burgundy cover.

Be sure to read some of Gary's past posts as well, to see his journey regarding his Bible translation preferences.