ARTICLE THREE – WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH OUR ENGLISH BIBLE?
Where do we go from here? What should we do with the information we’ve discussed in the first two articles? Christianity is not some theoretical proposition to remain in academic think-tanks. The life, death, resurrection, and message of Christ is supposed to be taken to our world today by us. What should we be taking? Jesus treated every word of the Scripture He quoted as being important. I want to do the same. Individual words being singular or plural mattered. Individual words being past tense or present tense mattered to Him. Paul treated the Scriptures the same way that Jesus did. Jesus was the Author of the Old Testament, and yet He used the Bible as the final authority when He wasn’t using His own authority as God the Son. Both Jesus and the New Testament authors were using some kind of a Greek translation of the original language Hebrew Bible that they called “scripture”, rather than original-language Hebrew manuscripts. In light of that, we briefly examined English translations of the Bible to see if any of them (more than others) bore the marks of divine providence in their preservation, consistency, and fruitfulness. I am looking for a Bible to treat like they treated the Bible they held, quoted, preached from, and encouraged others to read and believe. The KJV itself, and the texts from which it was translated, is without question uniquely superior to all other original language texts and English translations.
The manuscripts supporting the TR text greatly (95%+) outnumber manuscripts from other Greek texts. The text behind the KJV is equally ancient with other Greek texts. The resting place of the “best” examples of other texts were directly linked to Roman Catholicism, instead of being in the hands of people being persecuted for believing and having a Bible.
The TR text has remained unchanged for about 400 years while the NA text has gone through 28 editions in the last 120 years. The English of the KJV has gone through minimal word changes in over 400 years while other English translations have changed thousands and thousands of words in the last 50 years. Preserved WORDS is the message of Scripture. Preserved THOUGHTS and ideas is the message of modern views of English translations and texts.
The introduction of the TR spawned many translations and revivals we call the Reformation in many countries from its earliest introduction. The introduction of the “improved” Greek text produced nothing. The introduction of the KJV produced Great Awakenings that swept through western Europe, England, and America within the first 140 years of its existence. The English from the new Greek text introduced in the late 19th century has produced nothing of the sort in its first 140 years of existence. The new Greek text and English translations have produced something. They have produced a lot of confusion among English-speaking people. God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).
The English of the KJV gives much more information than modern translations about the original languages through the use of the pronouns thee, thou, and thine, as well as through italicized words.
English-speaking Christianity today is more fragmented than ever over major issues. Even the “conservatives” are too fragmented to produce a viable replacement for the KJV. It is not possible to assemble a team of men whose scholarship matches the men who translated the KJV, who also believe in the inspiration and preservation of the words of the TR Greek and Hebrew Masoretic texts. Even if assembling a qualified team were possible, there would be no way to get them to agree on what English needed to be changed, or what it needed to be changed to.
I believe the KJV translators achieved their stated goal of producing a translation that is “not justly to be excepted against”
For those reasons (and others not discussed in short articles like these), I choose to treat every word in my KJV Bible just like Jesus and the New Testament authors treated the words of the Bible they used. You may disagree with that conclusion, and it is your right to do so. All of us as believers will give account of ourselves to God (Romans 14:12). Knowing that I will give account of whether or not my ministry produced faith or doubt in the Book people are able to hold in their hands, and read for themselves matters a lot to me. That should matter to everyone who preaches and teaches the Bible to others. Knowing I will give account of myself to God for whether I helped or hindered His words producing faith, like they were designed to do (Romans 10:17), brings me to these conclusions:
1. The Bible translation issue is NOT a secondary issue. It is a PRIMARY issue. Having a “final authority” Bible is THE KEY ISSUE in the area of “religion”. Especially so for anyone who claims the Bible to be their final authority. We cannot show anyone that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God without a Bible. We cannot show anyone how they can live forever without a Bible. We cannot know what “the faith” is, for which we are to “earnestly contend” (Jude 3), without a Bible where all of the words matter. Messing with the Bible is the biggest issue of all, because all of our doctrines and beliefs come from it. Because the Bible translation is a primary issue rather than a secondary one:
I choose to never invite anyone to preach behind the pulpit of the Church I pastor who uses a different Bible
I choose to have all of the literature in the Church I pastor from the nursery to the senior adults to be KJV
I choose not to support any missionary who uses a version in English other than a KJV
I choose not to support any missionary using a non-TR translation in the country they are going to evangelize if a TR translation is available in that language
I choose not to recommend any student to even consider any Bible college that stands on anything other than a KJV, and teaches its students the original languages from the TR Greek and Hebrew Masoretic texts
2. Memorizing the Bible (hiding God’s words in our heart) is an important of aspect of being a faithful follower of Jesus. This is best facilitated by reading and hearing the words of the Bible only one way. English Bibles with individual verses whose words mean the exact same thing as a KJV and TR are the word of God. But having the thoughts and truths of the Bible memorized is different than memorizing God’s words. The truths of the Bible are powerful, but not anywhere near as powerful as the words that teach those truths. Having God’s WORDS hidden in our hearts is best. Because hearing the Bible only one way helps me and everyone else memorize the words of the Bible better:
The teachers and literature in the church I pastor are all from only one version of the Bible (KJV)
I recommend that the Bible be taught (and explained) to children by parents using only one version of the Bible (KJV)
When I read books written by authors who use different Bibles, I always skip reading their Bible quotes. If the point they are making seems new to me or incorrect, I get out my KJV and read the verse in English there. It is a sad (but accurate) observation that preachers and authors who use multiple versions tend to “pick” the English translation that best makes their point. Finding a Bible that best makes our point is the OPPOSITE of what we are supposed to do with God’s words. We should be making the points the Bible makes, instead of looking for a Bible that makes our point.
I turn down the volume on those rare occasions when I listen to someone teach or preach from another Bible version when they are quoting the Bible. I do everything possible to read and listen to the Bible’s words one way. I believe I have more of God’s words hidden in my heart today, because I have consistently listened to and read God’s words only one way since being saved many years ago.
To have children and adults hear Bible verses in multiple translations in their home, children’s classes (where those still exist), and from preachers and teachers robs them of having more of God’s words hidden in their heart. No one with any sense would say that people are able to memorize more of their Bible because they hear it several different ways.
3. For far too long conservative Bible colleges have turned out students who are ignorant on the Bible translation issue. Every pastor, Bible Institute, and Bible College has a sacred duty to teach potential Church leaders about this issue. Teaching students about the history of the KJV and the texts behind it matters. Teaching students about the qualifications and quality of the men who produced the KJV matters. Warning students about the differences in individual verses in English Bible translations is not enough instruction on this issue for spiritual leaders. Because many Baptist colleges and institutions have poorly educated students on the importance of this issue, and failed to teach students “why” the KJV is a superior English translation from superior texts by superior translation techniques:
Students should be required to read, and be tested on books like “A More Sure Word” by RB Oulette and “Defending the King James Bible - a Fourfold Superiority” by Donald Waite. There are other good books on this subject written with the right Christian spirit that are also worthy to be considered.
Students should be familiar enough with the history of Roman Catholicism to know just how ridiculous it is to believe that the “best” preserved copies of the Greek New Testament were held by the Vatican. It is ludicrous to believe that God chose the Vatican to preserve the best Bible texts, at the same time that organization was killing men who translated the Bible or possessed copies of the Bible in their native language.
I never recommend that novices read books that are purposely anti-KJV. I have yet to read one of those books that actually points me to any Greek text or English Bible that is an “every word” Bible. Some of those are good to read for those more seasoned on this issue, who are mature and wise enough to see that those books do NOT point anyone TO a Bible being the words of God. They only attempt to point people AWAY from the KJV or TR being the words of God, and subtly take the Bible away from everyone but them. I believe anyone who creates such doubt about God’s preservation of His words in the mind of “another who is weak” (Romans 14:2) is not pleasing Jesus on that issue.
4. Those of us who preach and teach the Bible need to be more “self-aware” of how we speak about original language words behind the English, when we refer to them. An English Bible is the only Bible people in the pews (or chairs) can read, and will likely ever read. Without meaning to do so, many men take the Bible out of the hands of those who listen to them. Without meaning to do so, many men cause people to think saved people can’t understand the “real” Bible for themselves, without their leader telling them something about the original language (even though neither Jesus or Paul EVER ONE TIME did anything like this to those who listened to them). We need to be sure we are building people’s faith in a Bible they can read and memorize themselves. We need to be careful we are not fueling the idea that what they hold is so inaccurate and outdated, they can’t learn much about their Savior and the Christian life without us there to tell them about the Greek and Hebrew. Because how we discuss original language words and their relationship to the English people can read, either builds or subtly tears down the faith of those who hear us preach and teach the Bible:
We should never say anything like “a better translation says”, or “that is an unfortunate choice of words by the translators”, or “our translation is in error there”. Those are all arrogant statements that exalt the education/skill of the that individual above the 47 men who translated the KJV (in addition to the education/skill of men who translated Bibles into English from which the KJV translators built). Each of those phrases subtly builds up the speaker, and subtly takes the Bible away from those who listen. We are supposed to be building the faith of people in the written words of God rather than in us, or our words. Jesus said that if people didn’t believe what Moses wrote, they couldn’t believe His words. (John 5:46-47). Jesus made that bold statement when every word He spoke was the word of God. How much more ought we to be careful speaking about what is written. Teaching with more humility is good advice for all of us.
We need to follow the example of Jesus and men whose messages are recorded for us in the Bible, when deciding how frequently to discuss original language words. There’s not one single example of Jesus or Paul discussing an original language Hebrew word (even though they quoted the Scripture in Greek). There are many examples of messages preached by Jesus, and other key men in the book of Acts. With their messages as our example, discussing original language words ought to be a rarity, or never occur at all.
We need to recognize that there are good ways and bad ways to bring the extra light of the original languages into our messages, on those rare occasions when we do so. If we do discuss an original language word, we need to do so without exalting our “scholarship”, while being careful not to take away God’s words a “common man” can read for themselves, and understand with the aid of an English dictionary. “Knowledge puffeth up” (1 Cor. 8:1) preachers, as much as it does the educational elites from Harvard and similar places if we’re not careful.
5. I believe it to be good and healthy to remain friends with people who have theological differences from us (including those who use a different Bible). But the bigger our differences, the more it hinders any of us from staying close. Jesus actually ate with Pharisees (Luke 7:37, 11:37), publicans and sinners, and His disciples. He and the Pharisees were not close in theology or disposition at all. He did not live in a manner that was at all like the “sinners” with whom He ate. With that kind of example, why can I not remain friends with both unsaved people, and those with whom I have some theological difference? Remaining friends with someone, and allowing them to instruct and influence people whose souls I am to watch for (Hebrews 13:17) are two different things. Honest discussion with those who differ from us is healthy in many ways. Honest discussion helps us not dehumanize those with whom we disagree. The more someone differs from us on key issues, the easier it is to dehumanize and devalue them when we have no personal contact with them. The fact is, there are some men in history who were greatly used of God, who clearly did NOT believe that every word of the KJV to be the preserved words of God in the English language. God has also greatly used men who did NOT believe that the “form” of the TR behind the KJV preserved every original language word of God in the New Testament. Being “greatly used” of God does NOT make what that man does or does not do right 100% of the time (especially on this issue because we have some Biblical guidance). The Bible is 100% right. Since a perfect God was somehow able to overlook what I consider to be a flaw in those great men, then I must find grace to focus on what I consider to be good about those who differ from me theologically, and learn from them wherever they are consistent with the Scripture.
6. Some of the worst advice we can give anyone, is to read from several different versions of the English Bible to figure out what the Bible is trying say in a particular verse. Any person who is knowledgeable on this issue understands that all major versions are from different underlying texts, produced by different translation techniques, and translated by men of varied theological backgrounds, motives, and abilities. If that were not enough, all of the modern Bibles are trying to stay clear of copyright violations with their modern Bible competition. Picking which Bible is right by reading several in light of that information, clearly makes the person reading those various word choices the final authority instead of the Bible itself being the final authority. To study the Bible in that manner with solid Biblical training and seasoning in our spiritual walk is bad enough. To recommend that method to find truth to novices in the faith, is just plain TERRIBLE ADVICE. I have WAY more respect for someone who believes “every word” of an NASV and the 27th edition of the NA Greek text (if such a person even exists), than someone who looks over five English versions of the Bible and picks which one is right because they understand it, or because it makes their point. Because it is unwise to decide which Bible is God’s words by reading multiple versions:
People should use Biblical principles and common-sense set forth in the first two of these three articles (with more detailed information) and prayerfully pick a Bible to believe. They should then use it like Jesus and the New Testament authors used the Bible of their day. We should treat the Bible we choose like it is “word-for-word” the words of God.
Asking ourselves “who or what am I making the final authority” when it comes to every Biblical issue is an important question to consider. But it is too rarely asked. For example, a person who looks at all five major translations to pick which one is right on a particular verse has CLEARLY made themselves the final authority of “what is truth”. Jesus taught that God’s word is truth (John 17:17). Paul taught us to let God be true and every man a liar, when any man disagrees with God (Romans 3:4). Two Bible versions that teach different things in the same verse, clearly have one version that is “lying” in that verse. God’s words are true whether we understand them or not.
7. If we are trying to better understand a particular verse or word in a KJV, there are healthy ways to do that which are far superior to looking at other translations to try to understand what a KJV means. Use a Strong’s Concordance, to see how that English and Greek/Hebrew word is used and translated elsewhere in the Bible. Looking at all four uses of “halt” in the New Testament (like Matthew 18:8), would clear up a “false friend” like “halt” in 1 Kings 18:21. We should also stop pretending that it was really such a terrible misunderstanding and “false friend” to be “stuck” between two opinions in 1 Kings 18:21, before we came to learn that “halt” actually meant crippled in some way.
The Noah Webster 1828 dictionary and a modern English dictionary are great tools to help us understand the Bible
Investigating the way God chose to use original language words in other places in the Bible (when they are used more than once) helps us. We need to keep in mind that Greek and Hebrew words sometimes have more than one meaning just like English words (like the word “light” can mean many different unrelated things).
Growing to understand the meaning of individual words and individual verses, as well as understanding how God’s words fit together like a perfectly coordinated puzzle is the task of a lifetime, and not one of a few months or couple of years. What a joy it is to learn new things from verses we have read over and over. God has placed truths that require “digging” as we read and study His precious words, and consider His precious promises to us. Finding extra insight into a word or verse that you previously didn’t see is rarely the fault of the KJV English. Most of the time, that is just the way the Holy Spirit instructs us “line upon line” and “here a little, and there a little”(Isa. 28:10). The good news is that the joy God intended His dear children to have from learning new things from familiar verses, is NOT just for those who understand the original languages of Scripture.
Part of the freedom and joy of being an Independent Baptist is that we are independent. If you do not like my conclusions, or consider us ignorant who believe every word of our KJV and underlying original language texts to be the word of God, you can just pick up your toys and go play elsewhere. If those who regularly correct the KJV and use other versions of the English Bible and underlying texts become prominent, then I can just pick up my toys and go play elsewhere. Conservative Christians have “moved on” for centuries from individual Churches, denominations, and Bible colleges that have departed from the faith. Just check out the history of who builds those things, who infiltrates institutions built by others, and who then leaves to start over. I’m more concerned about pastoring the Church that God placed under my watch-care, than the politics involved with any and EVERY group (including Christians of all stripes). But I have been moved in recent weeks to take some time to write these articles, in an attempt to help anyone looking for another perspective on the Scriptures than the one being set forth by many today. If you want to consider me narrow-minded and ignorant for believing every word of a Bible I can hold in my hand and read for myself, that’s fine with me. If I want to consider anyone who departs from the KJV and underlying original language texts, as someone who has departed from the faith (and I do), that shouldn’t bother you either. We will ALL give account of ourselves to God. That should be the biggest concern all of us have. “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” (2 Cor. 5:11). I will not (God helping me) ever answer for being any part of someone no longer believing their Bible. MANY of those who have changed Bible versions, and carelessly use original language words WILL ANSWER to God for hurting the faith of those who are weak. Though Charles Spurgeon did not believe the KJV to be an “every word” translation of God’s words in the English language, his advice is good for all of us when he said it is “unwise to be making every old lady distrust the only Bible she can read.”
No translation of the Bible does anyone any good unless they read it, and attempt with the help and grace of God to practice what it teaches us. Those of us who believe the KJV to be the “every word” Bible for English-speaking people, need to make a habit of reading it with a humble heart. We also need (with the help of God) to sincerely practice what it teaches in more than our “pet” areas of the Christian life. Though some may disagree with me on this, I would rather see someone read an NIV Bible and attempt to practice what it teaches, than have someone believe a KJV that sits on their shelf unread who leaves its precepts unpracticed. After reading these three articles, people will come up with all sorts of hypothetical questions like: “Where was the Bible before 1611?” It’s not like that’s a bad question…but we don’t live in 1590. It is 2020, and that question doesn’t matter anymore than it matters “whether God can build a wall so tall that He cannot get over it.” For the reasons discussed in these articles (among others), I am confident that I have an “every-word” Bible today in KJV English, TR Greek, and the Masoretic text Hebrew. I am also confident that the Bible prior to 1611, was NOT sitting in the Vatican library, nor in a monastery on Mount Sinai. God’s words before 1611 were somewhere then (like now) in the hands of God’s people, because the things that have been revealed have always belonged to us and our children. God has always wanted people to know Him, and to know His will and know His WORDS. Thanks be unto God for the “unspeakable gift” of His only begotten Son (the living Word of God) and for the Bible we can read for ourselves and hold in our own hands (the written Word of God).