Committee on Bible Translation
Behind the NIV Bible stands a world-class team of biblical scholars: the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT). CBT members bring decades of Bible translation experience to their work, along with an unshakeable commitment to God’s Word. Their efforts, which began in 1965, continue to this day, ensuring an accurate, faithful Bible translation for generations to come.
Dr. Simon Gathercole, chair
Reader in New Testament Studies, University of Cambridge
Ph.D. University of Durham
Affiliation: Eden Baptist Church, Cambridge
Simon Gathercole specializes in New Testament interpretation, as well as exploring the connections between the New Testament and other literature from the same historical period. In addition to his contribution to the Committee on Bible Translation, he serves as editor for New Testament Studies.
Reader in New Testament Studies, University of Cambridge
Ph.D. University of Durham
Affiliation: Eden Baptist Church, Cambridge
Simon Gathercole specializes in New Testament interpretation, as well as exploring the connections between the New Testament and other literature from the same historical period. In addition to his contribution to the Committee on Bible Translation, he serves as editor for New Testament Studies.
Dr. Mark L. Strauss, vice-chair
University Professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary San Diego
Ph.D. University of Aberdeen
Affiliation: Converge Worldwide (formerly Baptist General Conference)
University Professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary San Diego
Ph.D. University of Aberdeen
Affiliation: Converge Worldwide (formerly Baptist General Conference)
Mark Strauss has taught at Bethel Seminary San Diego since 1993. He is the author of a textbook on the Gospels (Four Portraits, One Jesus), commentaries on Luke and Mark and various other books on hermeneutics and Bible translation. He joined the CBT in 2005.
Rev. Dr. David Instone-Brewer, secretary
Senior Research Fellow in Rabbinics and New Testament, Tyndale House
Ph.D. University of Cambridge
Affiliation: Baptist Union of Great Britain
Senior Research Fellow in Rabbinics and New Testament, Tyndale House
Ph.D. University of Cambridge
Affiliation: Baptist Union of Great Britain
David Instone-Brewer is a Baptist minister and researcher at Tyndale House in Cambridge (UK). His specialties include rabbinic literature and the Jewish backgrounds of the New Testament. In addition to his academic research, Dr. Instone-Brewer has been featured in Christianity Today, Time, and the Wall Street Journal. He’s been a member of the CBT since 2005.
Rev. Dr. Mark Boda
Professor of Old Testament at McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Ph.D. University of Cambridge
Affiliation: Christian and Missionary Alliance (Canada)
Dr. Mark Boda is Professor of Old Testament at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
He has written several books on the prophets of the Old Testament, on 1-2 Chronicles, on Judges, and on biblical theological themes. He joined CBT in 2017.
Professor of Old Testament at McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Ph.D. University of Cambridge
Affiliation: Christian and Missionary Alliance (Canada)
Dr. Mark Boda is Professor of Old Testament at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
He has written several books on the prophets of the Old Testament, on 1-2 Chronicles, on Judges, and on biblical theological themes. He joined CBT in 2017.
Dr. Jeannine K. Brown
Professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary
Ph.D. Luther Seminary
Affiliation: Converge Worldwide (formerly Baptist General Conference)
Jeannine Brown began teaching New Testament at Bethel Seminary in 1995, specializing in biblical hermeneutics, the gospel of Matthew, and 1 Peter. Her publications include Scripture as Communication, Becoming Whole and Holy, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, and Matthew (Teach the Text Commentary series). Dr. Brown joined the CBT in 2009.
Professor of New Testament, Bethel Seminary
Ph.D. Luther Seminary
Affiliation: Converge Worldwide (formerly Baptist General Conference)
Jeannine Brown began teaching New Testament at Bethel Seminary in 1995, specializing in biblical hermeneutics, the gospel of Matthew, and 1 Peter. Her publications include Scripture as Communication, Becoming Whole and Holy, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, and Matthew (Teach the Text Commentary series). Dr. Brown joined the CBT in 2009.
Dr. Richard S. Hess
Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Denver Seminary
Ph.D. Hebrew Union College
Affiliation: Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Rick Hess has taught at Denver Seminary since 1997. He has authored studies and commentaries on Genesis, Leviticus, Joshua, and the Song of Songs, as well as The Old Testament: A Historical, Theological, and Critical Introduction (2016). He edits the seminary’s online Denver Journal. Dr. Hess co-pastors 316, a Celtic Christian Church, and is writing a commentary on the books of Kings.
Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Denver Seminary
Ph.D. Hebrew Union College
Affiliation: Cumberland Presbyterian Church
Rick Hess has taught at Denver Seminary since 1997. He has authored studies and commentaries on Genesis, Leviticus, Joshua, and the Song of Songs, as well as The Old Testament: A Historical, Theological, and Critical Introduction (2016). He edits the seminary’s online Denver Journal. Dr. Hess co-pastors 316, a Celtic Christian Church, and is writing a commentary on the books of Kings.
Dr. Elizabeth Mburu
Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek, Pan Africa Christian University, Nairobi
Ph.D. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Affiliation: Ridgeways Baptist Church, Southern Baptist
Liz Mburu has taught at International Leadership University, Africa International University and Pan Africa Christian University. She is the Langham Literature Regional coordinator, Anglophone Africa. Mburu is the author of Qumran and the Origins of Johannine Language and Symbolism (2010) and most recently African Hermeneutics (2019). She has published several articles and chapters in books on African contextual hermeneutics and its application to New Testament texts. Her motto, “Empowering the church in its African expression,” reflects her conviction that culture influences how one understands and applies the Word of God.
Dr. Douglas Moo
Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies, Wheaton College
Ph.D. University of St. Andrews
Affiliation: College Church, Wheaton, IL
Doug Moo taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for over 20 years before moving to Wheaton College. In addition to his work on the NIV, he’s the author of several New Testament commentaries and co-wrote An Introduction to the New Testament with D.A. Carson. Dr. Moo’s personal motto, captured in a plaque mounted in his office, is, “Apply yourself wholly to the text; apply the text wholly to yourself.” He joined the Committee on Bible Translation in 1996.
Dr. Bill Mounce
President, BiblicalTraining.org
Founder, Teknia.com
Ph.D. University of Aberdeen
Affiliation: Nondenominational
Bill Mounce is a New Testament scholar and author of the bestselling Greek textbook Basics of Biblical Greek. Previously he served as a preaching pastor in Spokane, Washington, and as director of the Greek Program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Today he runs Teknia.com, a website helping people learn biblical Greek online, and BiblicalTraining.org, which provides discipleship resources for local churches. He was the New Testament Chair of the English Standard Version (ESV) and joined the NIV translation team in 2009.
President, BiblicalTraining.org
Founder, Teknia.com
Ph.D. University of Aberdeen
Affiliation: Nondenominational
Bill Mounce is a New Testament scholar and author of the bestselling Greek textbook Basics of Biblical Greek. Previously he served as a preaching pastor in Spokane, Washington, and as director of the Greek Program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Today he runs Teknia.com, a website helping people learn biblical Greek online, and BiblicalTraining.org, which provides discipleship resources for local churches. He was the New Testament Chair of the English Standard Version (ESV) and joined the NIV translation team in 2009.
Dr. Sandra Richter
Head of Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
Ph.D. Harvard University
Affiliation: Santa Barbara Community Church
Sandra Richter has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wesley Biblical Seminary, and Wheaton College.Richter has authored The Deuteronomistic History and the Name Theology: lešakken šemo šam in the Bible and the ANE (BZAW 318, 2002), The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (IVP 2008), and most recently Stewards of Eden: What the Scripture Has to Say About Environmentalism and Why it Matters (IVP 2020). She regularly publishes on the intersection between Syro-Palestinian archaeology and the biblical text.Due to her passion for the “real space and time” of the biblical text, she has spent many of those years directing an Israel Studies program focused on historical geography and field archaeology. She joined the CBT in 2019.
Head of Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
Ph.D. Harvard University
Affiliation: Santa Barbara Community Church
Sandra Richter has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wesley Biblical Seminary, and Wheaton College.Richter has authored The Deuteronomistic History and the Name Theology: lešakken šemo šam in the Bible and the ANE (BZAW 318, 2002), The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (IVP 2008), and most recently Stewards of Eden: What the Scripture Has to Say About Environmentalism and Why it Matters (IVP 2020). She regularly publishes on the intersection between Syro-Palestinian archaeology and the biblical text.Due to her passion for the “real space and time” of the biblical text, she has spent many of those years directing an Israel Studies program focused on historical geography and field archaeology. She joined the CBT in 2019.
Rev. Dr. Andrew G. Shead
Head of Old Testament Studies, Moore Theological College, Sydney
Ph.D. University of Cambridge
Affiliation: Anglican Church of Australia, Diocese of Syndey
In over 20 years at Moore College, Andrew Shead has taught all three biblical languages and most books of the Old Testament. His research interests include the book of Jeremiah, textual criticism, Hebrew poetry, and biblical theology. It’s not the research that keeps him going, however: it’s the joy of seeing men and women shaped by God’s word as we study, pray and eat together daily during some of their most formative years. Dr. Shead joined the CBT in 2016.
Head of Old Testament Studies, Moore Theological College, Sydney
Ph.D. University of Cambridge
Affiliation: Anglican Church of Australia, Diocese of Syndey
In over 20 years at Moore College, Andrew Shead has taught all three biblical languages and most books of the Old Testament. His research interests include the book of Jeremiah, textual criticism, Hebrew poetry, and biblical theology. It’s not the research that keeps him going, however: it’s the joy of seeing men and women shaped by God’s word as we study, pray and eat together daily during some of their most formative years. Dr. Shead joined the CBT in 2016.
Rev. Dr. Paul Swarup
Presbyter in Charge, Cathedral Church of the Redemption, New Delhi
Ph.D. University of Cambridge
Affiliation: Church of North India
Paul Sawrup is a minister in the Church of North India, the leading Protestant denomination in that part of the country. He specializes in Old Testament theology and study of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Rev. Dr. Swarup is a visiting faculty member at a number of Christian seminaries in India. He joined the Committee on Bible Translation in 2008.
Presbyter in Charge, Cathedral Church of the Redemption, New Delhi
Ph.D. University of Cambridge
Affiliation: Church of North India
Paul Sawrup is a minister in the Church of North India, the leading Protestant denomination in that part of the country. He specializes in Old Testament theology and study of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Rev. Dr. Swarup is a visiting faculty member at a number of Christian seminaries in India. He joined the Committee on Bible Translation in 2008.
Dr. Daniel B. Wallace
Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
Executive Director, Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts
Ph.D. Dallas Theological Seminary
Affiliation: Presbyterian Church in America
Dan Wallace has taught at Dallas Seminary since 1987. He is the author of Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, a few other books on the syntax of New Testament Greek, and several articles on grammar, textual criticism, and exegesis. He was the Senior New Testament editor of the NET Bible,and he served as the President of the Evangelical Theological Society in 2016. He joined the CBT in 2019.
Dan Wallace has taught at Dallas Seminary since 1987. He is the author of Greek Grammar Beyond the Basics, a few other books on the syntax of New Testament Greek, and several articles on grammar, textual criticism, and exegesis. He was the Senior New Testament editor of the NET Bible,and he served as the President of the Evangelical Theological Society in 2016. He joined the CBT in 2019.
Dr. Bruce Waltke
Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Regent College
Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Knox Theological Seminary
Ph.D. Harvard University
Affiliation: Anglican Church in North America
Bruce Waltke is one of the world’s leading Old Testament scholars, having taught at several respected evangelical schools, including Dallas Theological Seminary, Regent College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He helped supervise archeological excavations at Gezer, Israel, and has contributed to two major English translations of the Bible: the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and the NIV. Dr. Waltke joined the CBT in 1977 and began as a translator of NIV in 1974.
Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Regent College
Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Knox Theological Seminary
Ph.D. Harvard University
Affiliation: Anglican Church in North America
Bruce Waltke is one of the world’s leading Old Testament scholars, having taught at several respected evangelical schools, including Dallas Theological Seminary, Regent College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He helped supervise archeological excavations at Gezer, Israel, and has contributed to two major English translations of the Bible: the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and the NIV. Dr. Waltke joined the CBT in 1977 and began as a translator of NIV in 1974.
Dr. Michael J. Williams
Johanna K. and Martin J. Wyngaarden Senior Professor in Old Testament Studies, Emeritus, Calvin Theological Seminary
Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania
Affiliation: Christian Reformed Church
Until his retirement in 2018, Michael Williams taught Hebrew, Old Testament, and ancient Near Eastern languages and history at Calvin Theological Seminary in Michigan. He is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church and has also spent time teaching in Kenya, Russia, and Poland. Dr. Williams is proficient in seven ancient languages, including biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, Akkadian, Ugaritic, and Sumerian — so he brings unparalleled linguistic expertise to the Committee on Bible Translation, where he’s served since 2005.
Johanna K. and Martin J. Wyngaarden Senior Professor in Old Testament Studies, Emeritus, Calvin Theological Seminary
Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania
Affiliation: Christian Reformed Church
Until his retirement in 2018, Michael Williams taught Hebrew, Old Testament, and ancient Near Eastern languages and history at Calvin Theological Seminary in Michigan. He is an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church and has also spent time teaching in Kenya, Russia, and Poland. Dr. Williams is proficient in seven ancient languages, including biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, Akkadian, Ugaritic, and Sumerian — so he brings unparalleled linguistic expertise to the Committee on Bible Translation, where he’s served since 2005.
CBT Honorary Members
Kenneth Barker
Gordon Fee
Dr. Karen H. Jobes
Walter L. Liefeld
Richard N. Longenecker
Donald Madvig
