Need to Clarify my KJV Statements

It seems that most of my Reformed brothers and sisters understood where I was coming from in my post about the word skubalon. Those of us in the Reformed camp are often on the same page theologically. However, I had a dear Pentecostal friend who responded negatively to my “KJV nazi” statement, and I want to attempt to explain what meant by that statement.

First off, I do have a tendency to shoot off my mouth in my writings. I apologized. Sometimes my comments can cause people to respond to my thoughts, which is what I want! I want promote discussion with my post on these blogs. Well the dear friend of mine did react, negatively. So, I will try to clarify my words. It will either clear them up or make it muddier.

In my home town’s phone directory under the heading Churches-Independent Fundamental there is a listing for Old Time Baptist Church KJ Only. That is the name of the church! A part of me would love to go to a worship service with my English Standard Version of the Bible under my arm to see what kind of reaction I will get. I know these people because I us to be one of these people. They believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the only inspired version of the scriptures and all other are the work of the devil. They are one I am calling the "KJV nazi". In their minds, all other English bibles are taboo. Most of their hostility is due to ignorance on scripture and they are very hostile to any minister or layman who is educated in solid theology.

I do maintain is that the scripture are the inspired, infallible, and the inerrant word of God, but the translators of the King James Version of the Bible are not inspired by the Holy Spirit like the writers of the scripture were. The inspired scriptures were written in Hebrew and Greek (with some Aramaic). Today there are many copies of the inspired scriptures. Scholarship has demonstrated that there are good reasons to believe that they are very accurate to the original wittings. Translators through out history have translated the word of God into the language of the people. Many paid for it with their lives.

Many of the major Bibles versions on the market today are, I think, pretty good. The major one I would include would be the King James Version, New King James Version, New American Standard, New International Version, and of course my choice the English Standard Version. There are other that are good and other that are not so good. There are some version of the Bible in which I would insist that you not to bring to any Bible study that I am leading.

There is nothing wrong with the King James Version of the Bible. I want to make that clear! But there are many things wrong with people who think that the problems in today’s churches are because many churches are not using the King James Version of the Bible. I like the English Standard Version is the Bible because it has many good solid Biblical scholars like JI Packer. I do believe that these men worked hard to translate a faithful rendering of the original manuscripts. A job which us laymen will never really understand what monstrous task that is.

Your Brother

Tim

PS - I hope this makes it clear for you my friend.
Click Here to read about the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrracy that was draft by many Evangelical leaders.