By missionary Calvin George
Some seem to think that the only way to promote and uphold the KJV is by bitterly denouncing modern Bible versions. Textual issues, such as the underlying text (Textus Receptus versus critical texts) is the most important reason for retaining the KJV, however, there are other matters to consider, many of which are relatively non-controversial. A translation should be promoted more on its own merits than by discrediting other versions. Pointing out that the KJV has many merits is our goal in this brief study.
Reverent and dignified language.
“Verily verily I say unto thee…”
Some translators tend to paraphrase, which results in a lack of doctrinal precision. There must be a balance between precision and comprehension. My personal view is that paraphrases can be useful for certain people in certain situations, but they should not be called “Bibles.”
Some churches who use modern versions will make fun of the thees and thous in the KJV, yet turn right around and sing “How great Thou art!”
It’s proven. It has stood the test of time.
It was the standard for hundreds of years.
Confidence in the translation
Confidence in the translation is another consideration. If a translation has a track record, the confidence in the translation on the part of many Bible believers has a lot to say.
The text isn’t changing.
When everyone in the congregation uses it, it allows for congregational reading.
When the KJV is the official Bible version of a church, it allows for consistency from the pulpit and Sunday School classroom and the various ministries.
The KJV bears a strong testimony when textual issues are viewed through a doctrinal lens.
Cannot be accused of leaving out any verse upheld in the history of the church. The Apocrypha, being non-canonical in its entirety, is not a consideration.
Without attempting to turn the matter into a conspiracy theory, numerous passages are clearer in doctrine at first glance compared to modern translations. 1 Tim. 3:16 is very clear at first glance regarding the deity of Christ (many more passages could be provided).
It is not impossible to understand, as some allege.
Although it does take some getting used to by someone who didn’t grow up with it, its awkward terms and phrases (as perceived by the modern reader) can be mastered in short order.
For a number of years, I taught in a Bible college that periodically brought in foreign students on student visas and taught them English for a year before they could take regular Bible college courses in English. After starting off at an elementary level with other materials, I moved on to teach them to read from a King James Bible. This did not create a great difficulty in my experience.
I’ve never heard anyone complain about archaic language when soul-winning, as if it was preventing them from understanding.
It works! Souls are saved and lives are transformed through its preaching.
Free of copyright.
This is an advantage, because it allows for inexpensive mass printing and distribution of Scripture portions, New Testaments, and even whole Bibles.
(It was originally printed with Cum Privilegio, which was the equivalent of a copyright in England at the time).
It was not done to please a denomination or to impose a doctrinal slant
This can be an issue with modern Bibles. For example, an entirely ecumenical entity would only be interested in a translation that somehow pleases both Catholics and Protestants as much as possible. This would be impossible without diluting some terms or phrases in the Bible that lead to pointing out certain unbiblical practices or beliefs.
Many phrases from the KJV have entered into the popular culture and are here to stay.
“Apple of the eye”
“My brother’s keeper”
Idioms with roots in the KJV are everywhere.
In a book he entitled Begat, a scholar by the name of David Crystal made a conclusive case that the King James Bible has contributed more to the English language than any other literary source.
When people go back and forth between different Bible versions in an attempt to prove a point, they could be “cherry picking.”
Cherry picking is the act of selectively choosing data or evidence that supports one’s position while ignoring any contradictory evidence.
By sticking to the KJV, you are being consistent and cannot be accused of being selective in your doctrinal evidence. One should of course feel free to consult the underlying Greek or Hebrew foundation without being accused of cherry picking.
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