Questions about Bible translations

A particular WELS social media group recently posted an article regarding "The Wartburg Project." The Wartburg Project is a 501(c)(3) parasynodical organization that consists of WELS/ELS pastors and professors that are united in fellowship and working on producing a new Bible translation called Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV). The website explains that this is another translation/revision where Hebrew and Greek texts and templates are being used as references. Why do we need another translation? Is WELS moving toward EHV? What is wrong with the NIV? Thank you so much for your time.

Much has been written recently about your questions. There is an entire section on the WELS Resource Center on the topic of Bible translations. This link will take you there.

WELS has never had an official Bible translation. We have used NIV84 for years in our publications, but with the introduction of NIV11 (2011), Zondervan Publishing has asked Northwestern Publishing House to discontinue its use of NIV84 in future projects.

A synodical convention resolution directed Northwestern Publishing House to pursue an “eclectic approach” in its publications. That means that editors and authors can choose the Bible translation that is best suited for their work. (Individual congregations of course have always had freedom to use translations of their choosing.)

As you noted, The Wartburg Project is a parasynodical organization in fellowship with ELS and WELS. It has an agreement with Northwestern Publishing House to print and distribute its translation.

Again, a great deal has been written on the topic of Bible translations recently. With this forum, I cannot do justice to all the activity and all the writing in this area, so I encourage you to read the information on the links provided.

A major takeaway from your questions is that God has blessed our church body with a great love for his word and a great passion to use Bible translations that are faithful to the original languages and that speak clearly and accurately to people today.