Talk:Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Unreliable external links

This article has external links to the New International Version, a translation of the Bible that has been criticized (see the comments by Metzger and Wright at New International Version#Reception) for being inaccurate, specifically for deliberately mistranslating certain passages to bring them into line with Evangelical dogma. WP:ELNO says we should avoid external links to "Any site that misleads the reader by use of factually inaccurate material or unverifiable research, except to a limited extent in articles about the viewpoints that the site is presenting." Since this article is not about the Evangelical viewpoint, these links violate that guideline. WP:NPOV applies not only to the content here but also to the links we provide. We have a number of other options: (1) We link to Wikisource's King James Bible; (2) We link to a modern-language translation that is appropriate for scholarly use, such as the RSV or NRSV; (3) We give links like this: Genesis 1:1 so that the reader can select for himself which translation he wants to read. Angr (talk) 10:25, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

The NIV is a excellect, top-quality translation. See How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, Chapter Two: Choosing a Translation, by Douglas Stuart and Gordon Fee.

The fact that certain scholars disagree with the rendering of certain passages means nothing. Every translation will have certain passages that certain scholars disagree over.^{şṗøʀĸşṗøʀĸ: τᴀʟĸ} 14:50, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

Of course every translation will have certain passages that certain scholars disagree about. The question is the nature of the disagreement. In this case, the NIV deliberately mistranslates certain passages of the Bible so that they will not contradict Evangelical dogma. It may be useful for some purposes, but scholarly Bible study isn't one of them. As an NPOV encyclopedia, it is our responsibility not to mislead readers by linking them to a version that does not accurately translate what the Bible says. Angr (talk) 16:26, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

Since, you've referred to the RSV, I should point out that Studies in the life of Christ by Rory Foster quotes John Scott of Northwestern University as saying that the RSV deliberately mistranslated Luke 1:34. StAnselm (talk) 19:54, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

The Australian College of Theology, for example, has three Bible translations allowed in examinations: the RSV, the NRSV and the NIV. So, the NIV does indeed pass the "appropriate for scholarly use" test. This NPOV objection is very flimsy. StAnselm (talk) 20:26, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

Additional Scope

Would suggest that this article be expanded to include material oriented towards how forgiveness would have been perceived by Peter and those hearing the parable. What is Peter getting at in asking his question? 108.38.60.22 (talk) 22:01, 26 February 2012 (UTC)