Growing in the Grace and Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ |
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People often ask why we use the outdated King James Version of the Bible. To answer that,
we must touch on some complex and technical subjects. To simplify the answer, the answer
can be found in Proverbs 22:28. The Bible says to "Remove not the ancient landmarks which
thy fathers have set." A landmark is a surveyor's term and refers to a benchmark or property
marker. Today, in most jurisdictions, it is against the law to move or alter a survey landmark.
Christianity has its foundations in an authorizing and governing document. That document is
the Bible. Any attorney will understand the critical nature of altering and authorizing and
governing document. Because the Bible is in every sense the final an absolute foundation of
what we as Christians believe and practice. It only is prudent that we be concerned that the
foundation is sure and the benchmark has not been altered. For almost two milennia the
Church of Jesus Christ accepted a set of Greek and Hebrew texts that were received by
virtually all gospel preaching, Bible believing churches of whatever group. The text was
called the Received Text (or Textus Receptus in Latin). Down through the centuries biblical
scholars and church leaders had assembled the existing Greek and Hebrew manuscripts of
the Bible. From that compilation, the vast majority were in virtual agreement. These formed
the basis of the Received Text.
In the year 1611 A.D., King James I of England was influenced to provide a common Bible for
the English speaking world. Hence, he authorized a translation of the Bible into English that
came to be known as the Authorized Version, or as it is more commonly known, the King
James Version. King James selected a committee of Greek and Hebrew scholars from the
Church of England. Some of these men were individuals with ties to the Puritans and later
the Pilgrims who emigrated to America. They work from the text of the Greek and Hebrew
testaments that had been "received" or accepted by virtually all branches of gospel
preaching, Bible believing Christianity from the apostolic era to that time. Their product, the
King James Version of the Bible, has been until just recently the universal standard for the
Bible believing Christians of the English speaking world.
The Modern Versions
The venerable King James Version of the Bible is not copyrighted in the United States. It is
considered a public domain publication of the Word of God. However, virtually all modern
versions are copyrighted. Authors or publishers understand a copyright is for protection of
commercial rights. It means that no one else may market their Bible without paying the
publisher or at least receiving written permission to do so. Does not the Apostle Peter refer
to some in the last days "making merchandise of you" regarding the things of God (II Peter
2:3)?
Moreover, a number of modern versions (based upon the critical text) have used less than
precise methods for translation. Some have used a literary device known as "dynamic
equivalence". This is a fancy term which essentially means some translators have taken the
liberty to come up with what they think are modern equivalents for specific words in the
manuscript text rather than precisely translating the specific words of the text. In effect, this is
a running commentary on the part of the translators, injecting into the translation what they
think a given passage means, rather than rendering a precise translation of what the
scriptural writers actually wrote. There is nothing wrong with Bible commentaries. However,
to insert bias into the guise of translation is not only less than a faithful rendering of the text, it
is deceptive.
In at least one case, a popular version had the honesty to indicate in its subtitle that it is a
paraphrase. Unfortunately, unwary minds often look at such a Bible paraphrase as the Bible
nevertheless. Some versions have used vulgar and crude terms in their translations. They
have seemed oblivious to the unique purity of the purpose of the Scripture.
As mentioned above, Cardinal New Testament doctrine such as the shed blood of Jesus
Christ, the Deity of Christ and the inspiration of the Scripture is routinely diluted in recent
translations based upon the critical text. That should give pause for concern!
The Godly Heritage of the King James Version
In viewing the distortions, deletions corruptions, dilutions, changes, and questionable
associations of the critical text and its resultant modernist translations, we will stick to the
venerable King James Version of the Bible that our forbearers so faithfully used. It is an
ancient landmark.
Down through the centuries, it has been the Bible used for every major revival to sweep
across portions of the English speaking world. It was the Bible used by the founding fathers
of this nation. And, it has been God blessed wherever it has been used. It is based upon the
ancient text which has been, until recently, the universally accepted text of the Scriptures from
the time of the apostles.
Modern versions have been marketed extensively as being easier to read than the archaic,
old fashioned KJV Bible. However, recent computerized document analysis programs have
objectively revealed how the King James Version of the Bible is in fact easier to read than the
NIV or NASB. The Fleish-Kincaid research firm has through computerized analysis shown
how the KJV vocabulary has fewer syllables per word than the NIV or the NASB. Furthermore,
the KJV has less complex sentences than the NIV or NASB. In reality, the KJV is easier to
read than its modern counterparts in the matter of vocabulary and syntax.
There is undisputed eloquence and beauty in the King James Version. Moreover, the English
language was at its zenith in the early 17th century for poetic beauty and eloquence.
Interestingly, one of the major criticisms of the King James Version is actually its strength.
People unacquainted with proper English complain about the use of "thee" and "thou" etc. in
the King James text.
However, as those who understand linguistics will attest, many languages have at one time
had a common level which was spoken on the street and a higher or formal level which was
used in reference to royalty and God. The usage of "thee" and "thou"etc. in old English is a
form of higher English which no longer is commonly used. It was originally used in formal
situations where deference and respect to nobility, royalty and Deity were appropriate.
Unfortunately, our contemporary American English usage of "you" and "yours" etc. makes no
allowance for such deference and brings all of our language back to a lower level. The King
James Version respectfully and appropriately refers to God and other notables as "thee" or
"thou" in accordance with their due respect. Most modern language translations have diluted
that deference.
- Dr. Frank Logsdon
Used by permission from the author: Pastor David Sorenson, Northstar Baptist Ministries, Duluth, MN
we must touch on some complex and technical subjects. To simplify the answer, the answer
can be found in Proverbs 22:28. The Bible says to "Remove not the ancient landmarks which
thy fathers have set." A landmark is a surveyor's term and refers to a benchmark or property
marker. Today, in most jurisdictions, it is against the law to move or alter a survey landmark.
Christianity has its foundations in an authorizing and governing document. That document is
the Bible. Any attorney will understand the critical nature of altering and authorizing and
governing document. Because the Bible is in every sense the final an absolute foundation of
what we as Christians believe and practice. It only is prudent that we be concerned that the
foundation is sure and the benchmark has not been altered. For almost two milennia the
Church of Jesus Christ accepted a set of Greek and Hebrew texts that were received by
virtually all gospel preaching, Bible believing churches of whatever group. The text was
called the Received Text (or Textus Receptus in Latin). Down through the centuries biblical
scholars and church leaders had assembled the existing Greek and Hebrew manuscripts of
the Bible. From that compilation, the vast majority were in virtual agreement. These formed
the basis of the Received Text.
In the year 1611 A.D., King James I of England was influenced to provide a common Bible for
the English speaking world. Hence, he authorized a translation of the Bible into English that
came to be known as the Authorized Version, or as it is more commonly known, the King
James Version. King James selected a committee of Greek and Hebrew scholars from the
Church of England. Some of these men were individuals with ties to the Puritans and later
the Pilgrims who emigrated to America. They work from the text of the Greek and Hebrew
testaments that had been "received" or accepted by virtually all branches of gospel
preaching, Bible believing Christianity from the apostolic era to that time. Their product, the
King James Version of the Bible, has been until just recently the universal standard for the
Bible believing Christians of the English speaking world.
The Modern Versions
The venerable King James Version of the Bible is not copyrighted in the United States. It is
considered a public domain publication of the Word of God. However, virtually all modern
versions are copyrighted. Authors or publishers understand a copyright is for protection of
commercial rights. It means that no one else may market their Bible without paying the
publisher or at least receiving written permission to do so. Does not the Apostle Peter refer
to some in the last days "making merchandise of you" regarding the things of God (II Peter
2:3)?
Moreover, a number of modern versions (based upon the critical text) have used less than
precise methods for translation. Some have used a literary device known as "dynamic
equivalence". This is a fancy term which essentially means some translators have taken the
liberty to come up with what they think are modern equivalents for specific words in the
manuscript text rather than precisely translating the specific words of the text. In effect, this is
a running commentary on the part of the translators, injecting into the translation what they
think a given passage means, rather than rendering a precise translation of what the
scriptural writers actually wrote. There is nothing wrong with Bible commentaries. However,
to insert bias into the guise of translation is not only less than a faithful rendering of the text, it
is deceptive.
In at least one case, a popular version had the honesty to indicate in its subtitle that it is a
paraphrase. Unfortunately, unwary minds often look at such a Bible paraphrase as the Bible
nevertheless. Some versions have used vulgar and crude terms in their translations. They
have seemed oblivious to the unique purity of the purpose of the Scripture.
As mentioned above, Cardinal New Testament doctrine such as the shed blood of Jesus
Christ, the Deity of Christ and the inspiration of the Scripture is routinely diluted in recent
translations based upon the critical text. That should give pause for concern!
The Godly Heritage of the King James Version
In viewing the distortions, deletions corruptions, dilutions, changes, and questionable
associations of the critical text and its resultant modernist translations, we will stick to the
venerable King James Version of the Bible that our forbearers so faithfully used. It is an
ancient landmark.
Down through the centuries, it has been the Bible used for every major revival to sweep
across portions of the English speaking world. It was the Bible used by the founding fathers
of this nation. And, it has been God blessed wherever it has been used. It is based upon the
ancient text which has been, until recently, the universally accepted text of the Scriptures from
the time of the apostles.
Modern versions have been marketed extensively as being easier to read than the archaic,
old fashioned KJV Bible. However, recent computerized document analysis programs have
objectively revealed how the King James Version of the Bible is in fact easier to read than the
NIV or NASB. The Fleish-Kincaid research firm has through computerized analysis shown
how the KJV vocabulary has fewer syllables per word than the NIV or the NASB. Furthermore,
the KJV has less complex sentences than the NIV or NASB. In reality, the KJV is easier to
read than its modern counterparts in the matter of vocabulary and syntax.
There is undisputed eloquence and beauty in the King James Version. Moreover, the English
language was at its zenith in the early 17th century for poetic beauty and eloquence.
Interestingly, one of the major criticisms of the King James Version is actually its strength.
People unacquainted with proper English complain about the use of "thee" and "thou" etc. in
the King James text.
However, as those who understand linguistics will attest, many languages have at one time
had a common level which was spoken on the street and a higher or formal level which was
used in reference to royalty and God. The usage of "thee" and "thou"etc. in old English is a
form of higher English which no longer is commonly used. It was originally used in formal
situations where deference and respect to nobility, royalty and Deity were appropriate.
Unfortunately, our contemporary American English usage of "you" and "yours" etc. makes no
allowance for such deference and brings all of our language back to a lower level. The King
James Version respectfully and appropriately refers to God and other notables as "thee" or
"thou" in accordance with their due respect. Most modern language translations have diluted
that deference.
- Dr. Frank Logsdon
Used by permission from the author: Pastor David Sorenson, Northstar Baptist Ministries, Duluth, MN
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