California wrote about WELS kicking NNIV down the road.
WELSians need to remember that "consensus building" does not mean seriously considering objections to an agenda already determined, in this case acceptance of NNIV.
In the parlance of the dialectic operational in WELS these days, consensus building is a process to discuss - so objections and reasons for objections can be identified in order to facilitate circumventing objections. If some absolute objections or resistance can't be circumvented or disarmed, the "refusniks" will be isolated and eventually eliminated one way or the other "down the road". That's how the PPBS, Management by Objectives, Dialectic works, folks.
It may have been better had the the convention voted to dive in and adopt the NNIV July 2011, for it would have avoided what will snare many, disillusion others, and cause gradual pain and dissension until the process arrives at the predetermined "consensus" allowing what the translation committee recommended in the first place. Those who can't accept NNIV could find it more clearly obvious that they need to depart, which a remnant will end up doing anyway. But the body of WELLS will find it difficult, for they have sat in the pews for a generation softened up with NIV which should never have been accepted. The original "KJV has to go" agenda prevailed, and NIV was as good as any to accomplish that, warts and all. Now it doesn't really matter to the change agents what replaces NIV, just as long as it isn't KJV.
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GJ - Several long-term WELS members have noticed that their pastors and good friends from the sect have switched positions over the years, adjusting to Holy Mother Synod's flip from one side to another.
The King James Version is only one example, but the key one, as California has often stated. WELS got rid of her for disagreeing and raising issues. They excommunicated her for doing what they said members must do - go to the individual and write letters. Does that sound familiar? Texas? Appleton? Anyone? Anyone?
At one point, someone wrote me, the Sausage Factory students were graduating with a hatred of the King James, which is really the English version of Luther's Bible. Just as Luther's Bible established the hallmarks of the German language, so Tyndale's established English (with some help from the Earl of Oxford, aka Shakespeare). The literary achievement of both Bibles is itself a tribute to the literary abilities of both men, truly God's chosen instruments for the task, even though others helped and advanced the efforts.
Although Pope Paul the Unlearned dislikes the NNIV and questions its adoption in WELS, I heard no objections from his massive desk at CPH. His recent post cast aspersions on the New KJV (which the ELS likes) without giving reasons beyond "the text." I doubt whether McCain understands the text issues. The text fantasies of Tischendorf, Wescott and Hort are the foundation for the flight from the best translation, giving people warrant for Anything Goes Bibles.
I read Jester's tirade against the New KJV. John Jeske (aka Jumpin' Jack) was in bed with the NIV from the start, so it is not shocking to find Tom and Mark in the same unionistic frame of mind, just as David Valleskey's father reared him in unionism.
Language is everything in conveying the Word of God. Lenski often discusses the importance of understanding each word in the original, so the WELSian elite are quick to denounce Lenski.