The newest member of the New International Version (NIV) Committee on Bible Translation (CBT) is Rev. Dr. Andrew Shead. Of the 15 CBT members, five are from countries other than the United States (India, the United Kingdom, and Australia).

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Shead, who earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge, is Head of Old Testament Studies at Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia, where he’s taught all three biblical languages—Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic—and most books of the Old Testament since 1992. His research interests include textual criticism, biblical theology, Hebrew poetry, and the book of Jeremiah.

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“It’s a wonderful privilege to work with and learn from a group of such people, with such a task,” says Shead. “Their diversity is enriching, their joyfulness is infectious, and their godliness is a constant encouragement. I quickly learned to value the wisdom of the group, a wisdom that comes out of the spiritual unity generated by sitting together under the word of God and letting the message of Christ dwell among us richly.”

The NIV translation was first published in 1978 by Biblica, the Bible translation ministry founded in 1809 as the New York Bible Society. The translation philosophy of the NIV is to provide optimum combination of transparency to the original manuscripts with ease of understanding in every verse. It states that given the nature of language and the changes that occur over time, this work is never complete and demands ongoing attention to keep the text as accurate, readable, and clear to the reader.

All 15 members of the CBT are leading evangelical scholars with an unwavering commitment to the authority of Scripture. The CBT, which is a self-governing body (so that no outside group can determine how the NIV is translated), has met every year since 1965 to monitor developments in biblical scholarship, as well as changes in English usage. Each year it requests and receives input from pastors, missionaries, laypeople, and scholars. This translation team seeks to ensure that the NIV translation is free from bias and remains an accurate, readable, and clear modern English Bible translation.

About Biblica
Biblica exists to bring God’s Word to people in a way they understand, so they’re transformed by Christ and inspired to join his mission for the world. This is accomplished through Translation & Publishing, Scripture Access, and Bible Engagement programs. Biblica has been stewarding God’s Word for more than 200 years. Throughout this time, the Bible has always been at the center of all it does. By partnering with other Christian ministries and with local churches around the world, Biblica strives to honor God’s Word and glorify Christ. To learn more about Biblica, go to www.Biblica.com.

About Zondervan
Zondervan is a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications. Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company’s products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com.