Authorized King James Version- a defence [Religious]

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This is in response to the criticism by some of the use of the King James version of the Bible. I find this interesting because I am more inclined to criticize the later versions rather than this one. Please be patient as this is a rather lengthy topic. First of all I think it is important that we understand just who King James was. Here is a fantastic link that will help that understanding. http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/kinginde.htm Here you will find that King James was a christian, and a man that believed in the authority of God. He was also a skilled linguist. King James spoke fluent Greek and Latin. It is important to note that the type of Greek that the New Testament was written in was still being spoken at the time of King James. This is not true for every other translation of the bible. I challenge you all to read the entire site above. It is worth reading, not only for the bible part of it but for the historical knowledge also. Here in this site you will also find information about the translators of the King James Version. For almost 400 hundred years the KJV was the only english source commonly available to all english speaking people. God promised in his word to preserve his word, even going so far as to say not one jot or tittle would be lost. God either lied, or the King James version is indeed His Word. The KJV has been proven by scholars time and time again to be superior to other translations. For in depth coverage of this please follow this link: http://www.whidbey.net/~dcloud/fbns/superiority.htm . In short I have studied and believe the Authorized King James Version of the Bible to be a very accurate translation of the Bible, that was translated by godly men from excellent source texts, in a time when understanding the original languages was more possible. I intentionally quote the KJV because I believe it to be a superior version when compared to the others readily available. The following link will give you a chance to understand why. Christians pay particular attetion to the link that leads to the KJV/NIV comparison. It is very important we understand just what is being left out of the NIV. http://www.whidbey.net/~dcloud/fbns/vers3fbns.htm Little Bit farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@calinet.com), August 28, 2000

Answers

King James Version vs New American Standard vs New International Version vs... So what is the better translation? The one that may be more "exact" of a translation, but harder for the average person in a particular society to grasp? Or the translation that allows more people of that society to understand more of the Truth? I say the latter translation is the better one, as it is serving God better. And I expect in another few hundred years, people may be having this same debate about of the now current translations versus the New Intergalactic Standard version they'll be using...

-- Eric in TN (ems@nac.net), August 28, 2000.

Wow do I ever agree with Little Bit! Come the age of accountability most 31 year olds with a good King James Bible and a Strongs Concordance, can read and study with understanding, leaving behind the nonsense of apples in the garden of eden, and the rhetoric of whatever doctrin has been applied to their minds while growing up! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), August 28, 2000.

Why not read them all? I love KJV for the poetry, but I like newer versions to cut to the chase quickly. For newbies, wading through King James is like reading Shakespeare...tough for most folk.

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), August 28, 2000.

Interesting that the translation of the bible most people object to is the KJAV. I agree 100%, LilBit. Last fall I found a church, and the Preacher gave me several books on this subject. I used to read the NIV, because the KJAV seemed too much like a play or something theatrical to me, now I read the King James.

One mistake I was making was trying to read the Bible like a novel instead of taking it in like food. The KJAV feeds the spirit better....Also, I am one of those crazy people that honestly wants the truth, no matter how hard it is.

For those really interested in searching this out there is a book available through Amazon that I reccommend. It's called "New Age Versions of the Bible". I read several on this subject, but this book was the most comprehensive.

-- Doreen (liberty546@hotmail.com), August 28, 2000.


I would rather read I&T tractor repair manuals, they are of my time, make sense and serve a purpose.

-- Hendo (redgate@echoweb.net), August 28, 2000.


Little bit, I began w/ the NIV as a new Christian. Even at 30+ it was easier for me to grasp. I have moved up to the KJV in the last 5 years or so. I've personally found it easier to follow as I "grew up" a little. My wife & I have noted several passages that are way off or parts missing in the NIV. I think all things considered, The best Bible of all is the one that you'll read. J.M.

-- John in S. IN. (jsmengel@hotmail.com), August 28, 2000.

I thought I'd better stop back by and say that I am not a KJV only person. I am a KJV is best person. There are times even I pick up another translation for clarification of a verse. However I do not like the NIV at all.

Little Bit farm

-- Little bit Farm (littlebit@calinet.com), August 28, 2000.


Hi Little Bit,

Neat post! I also am a KJV is best person. Of course,when I started reading the Bible,the only ones we had on hand were The Living Bible and an NIV.Nevertheless,the Lord used those in my life and saved me.I surely wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for Him! The Bible I use now is a KJV with study notes by Dr. Henry Morris[The Defender's Study Bible]. Well Goodnight all and may God bless you,~~~Tracy~~~

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), August 28, 2000.


I just wanted to add that what John said is quite true. The best version is the one you'll read! It can just get strange if you're having a bible study and everyone has different translations. The NIV is missing a bunch of verses and translates the same word differently in different sentences.

-- Doreen (liberty546@hotmail.com), August 28, 2000.

In our Bible study group, it seems everyone has a different translation. We use the King James and the New King James. It seems all the others omit some beautiful passages, others are very stilted reading and some do not give the heart and personality of our Lord at all.

Sometimes the King James seems kind of vague or I am being too dense to get it. Then I study from the New Jerusalem Bible, which is a Catholic Bible. It is an exellent study Bible that provides text of translations of different manuscripts. It also is a very accurate translation that conveys the personality of the Trinity.

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), August 29, 2000.



About 10 years ago I got a parallel bible, the King James in one column, and The Living Bible in the other column. I really like it and I always have the KJV right there to compare. It is important to teach new Christians to always compare their versions with the KJV, and in our Studys we like to have each one read their version to hear what they say and then discuss. I agree that the best bible is one that gets picked up and read each day.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), August 29, 2000.

Our church is KJV only, tho I an a renegade and use an NIV :o)! But I too have noticed somethings missing out of the NIV. I grew up with the KJV, went to one college with the New English version, went to another that used the Revised Standard, and belonged to a fellowship group that used the New American Standard. So I am a bit eclectic! I will say this, too--a kid that grows up with the KJV has a much easier time understanding Shakespeare. The language is mush less of a barrier to him/her, and it makes them look like literary whizzes!

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), August 29, 2000.

I, too, appreciate the beauty of the KJV for memorization, etc. but I would add that the Spirit of God is like the wind and bloweth where it will (John 3) and God's Spirit certainly cannot be bound to the confines of text only. The Lord "drew" me and "saved me" out of the Jehovah Witnesses using a New World Translation! (aacckk!!)(a poor excuse for Bible translating if they ever were one!) But you see...when the Lord is wanting to touch you and teach you; He does so from His Spirit to ours. And there is no faulty text on earth that can withstand the Spirit of the Living God!!!

-- Beth Weber (talmidim88@hotmail.com), August 29, 2000.

Are we discussing a novel here? :o) My Bible is NIV, but I like to use the King James. I think its easier for memorizing. I do believe that there are some versions of the Bible to stay away from. The New Geneva is very good. R.C. Sproul was one of those to work on it. I've got to go now. So long!

-- Abigail F. (treeoflife@sws.nb.ca), August 29, 2000.

first, let me say that just because King James was a "christian" doesn't mean he was a good man. The crimes and atrocities commited by so-called Christians in those days were many. The problem that I have with all the popular versions is that they all have done some serious editing, for a major example, they all admit in their introductions that they have changed the Almighty's name, to the more popular lord and god. These are not names, they are titles, and since when is His holy name subject to a popularity contest!!! It could be argued that the name doesn't matter, that name means the character of a person, but given the importance assigned to names in the scriptures, Abram's and Jacob's for example, this is a little hard for me to swallow. also there is the verse about not letting the names of false deities even to be heard from our lips!, and then the one about there being no other NAME by which man can be saved. So I think that His name does matter, it is important, and shouldn't be changed just because some people feel that it sounds funny or weird, or whatever. My question is, that if they changed His name, and also the saviour's name, what else have they changed to fit their own beliefs or opinions? Someone mentioned that they liked a particular versio because it illustrated the trinity so nicely. That is not what I want. I don't want a version that has been tailored so that certain difficult passages will seem easier to understand and make a doctrine more clear. Just give it to me exactly the way it was written, and if there is something I don't understand, I will either study it, pray about it, or just accept that this passage is very difficult to understand.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), August 29, 2000.


I use the KJV, but use the Amplified Bible as a study aid.

-- JimR (jroberts1@cas.org), August 30, 2000.

I started - when first converted at age 25 - with the NIV. It was available and accessible. I feel that any version that can be accepted and helps bring a person to Christ is a useful version. I encourage my small children to use NIV because it is simple. But I also agree that as we grow in our faith, we should use mulitple versions to increase our understanding. And read aloud. It's beautiful.

Rebekkah - I hope you read ancient Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic.

-- Deborah (ActuaryMom@hotmail.com), August 30, 2000.


Deborah, there is a point in your christian experience that you must move on from the milk, salvation. And get into the meat of the bible. Rebekah or I know that we can translate every word of the bible, let it be Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic with a Strongs Concordance. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), August 30, 2000.

a tool i like to use when i am studying the bible is a parrell bible mine has four versions 1. the king james, 2. new international, 3. living bible and 4. new revised stanard. this helps but i also think that you have to be reading with the holy spirit in you who will give you the translation you need.

i know i could be wrong but i sometimes think in some of the grey areas some passages can mean different things to different people and the spirit will give the inspiration you personelly need from God's word. now please understand i am not talking about things like the ten commandments etc. those are pretty well laid out and wither we want or not i think we can all understand them. and these are in black and white and don't leave any room for discussion.

i also admit i have no problem with the bible it is just religion i sometimes have a problem with. my defination of religion is man's interpretation of the bible and i don't always agree with what other people believe in. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef123@hotmail.com), September 01, 2000.


Thanks Little bit for the info about the Bible. Let me respond in a way in a way I hope will be helpful to all.

One thing I think all of us must rembember is that if we lived in a non-english speaking country, we would not be reading the King James version of the Bible. Or if we did we would have some difficulty. For example: If we spoke spanish, in order to read the King James version of the Bible, we would have to translate King James english into spanish. Remember the Bible was translated from Greek and Hebrew into King James english. This seems to me a long way around to hear God's Word. With the tools we have today why don't we go to the sourse - Greek and Hebrew and do some translating ourselves? To understand the scripture in original language would truly be enlighting. If think this is not possible - think again - it is being done by Bible students and in seminaries thoughout the world. You and I can do it with the right tools.

(An interesting question to consider is this - Since there is no German, Spanish, Japanese, ect., King James Bible, since King James was an english translation, does that mean that people of non-english speaking countries those are not as enlightened?)

Perhaps a more important issue is - where does the Holy Spirit fit into all this? We talk about which Bible version is better - but without the enlightment of the Holy Spirit all versions are of little use. It is God who opens up His Word to grant us understanding. Sometimes He does it through the KJV, NIV, NAS, NKJV, ect. Our concern should be that He does it and that we and others are enlightened. He has promised, "My word will not return to me void."

For myself it is important the God speaks and that I hear Him.

May God Bless,

Tom S.

-- Tom Shepard (trdsshepard@yahoo.com), September 04, 2000.


Why don't we humans, lay accountibilty, to where, it should fall. God Said, the languages would be confused. But we were left with those only ten Commandments: Then why are the Catholics bowing to every graven statue they encounter? Why Do the Salt Lakes folks rotate their food, with religious fevor. God forbid, they read up on some history, and should know people long ago, and far away actually ate and survived from home canned foods, that sat on a shelf for (Gasp!), many years. My God, brought me into this World, and he can take me out. I tried that control thing. It would not work, until I grudgeling gave it up one morn, while weeping on the wounds of a duck, attacked by my dog. I gave it up, all the physical safety precautions I had taken, the electric fence, the blocks of stones. I had no control, until I gave it up. Damnest thing, since I gave it up. Ducks and Dog still live, separate quarters. It was a leap of Faith. A Miracle.

-- Church Fan (Hand@waver.com), September 04, 2000.

Little bit Farm, The KJV/NIV in comparring it myself is exactly the same except with the NIV version one can better understand because it is in Plain English instead of all the Thous and such, I have comparred scripture and it's exactly the same, just more understandable. I like your article so Please don't get affended but i personally feel that weather one reads the KJV or the KJV/NIV, they are learning Gods word and that is the main idea correct? Anyway i wish more people would write in good articles like this one thanks again Little bit Paula

-- Paula (JEpaco13@aol.com), December 17, 2000.

My hubby & I have several versions of the Bible-----but I totally agree with Tom--it is what the Holy Spirit opens up to us through any version is what we learn & receive!!! I can read any of my Bibles & at different times in my life the same scripture can speak to me in several ways ---this is possible by the Holy spirit!!

Praise God we are able to own so many versions & in our country are able to read them & be able to have this type of open debate/ not possible in all countries!!!!!! Praise God we each own a Bible & many of us own several & give them as gifts!!! But, Praise God we are able to spend time in His word /what ever version we each feel comfortable with!!! Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), December 18, 2000.


The KJAV is the word of God. All other versions are motivated by the root of all evil- MONEY. Why does God's word have to be updated every year? Westcott and Hort, who are responsible for most other versions, treated God's word like an ordinary book. It is not. Understanding the KJV is not hard at all, it just takes a little work. Americans are used to having everything handed to them. Study it. Learn it. If the KJV isnt the perfect word of God, someone tell me which version is!

-- Saved by grace (Wbtb11@aol.com), August 27, 2001.

The Torah, the Koran, any of the Buddhist teachings, the oral traditions of any of indigenous peoples of the U.S., Australia, Africa, Indonesia, etc. The true word of god is that which speaks to you.

-- ray s (mmoetc@yahoo.com), August 27, 2001.

This is more of a question.I can find K.J.V./ N.I.V. paralell bibles but no K.J.A.V.1611/N.I.V. parallel bibles.Any Ideas where to look for the latter?Is there a major difference between a K.J.V. and a K.J.A.V.?

-- Michael R. Roehm (michaelrroehm@hotmail.com), December 08, 2001.

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