Claude Mariottini Weighs in on Some Aspects of the King James Version

Dr. Mariottini has posted some useful thoughts regarding the KJV in response to an article in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. I love the way he has a balanced approach of not bashing the KJV but objectively and systematically pointing out some of its shortcomings while still respecting its value and importance in Christian history. Have a read. Sounds like he will have more posts on the KJV in an upcoming post. I look forward to reading it.

I thought I would also point out how interesting it is that the King James labels itself a “Version” and yet so many think it is the ONLY one. The term version reflects that attitude of the translators, which can be found in what they wrote in the preface to the 1611 KJV (which, apparantly manyKJV only supporters have never read). This is ironic to me that people would hold their translation as sacrosanct and yet ignore their own views on exactly what they were doing and what it would mean for their to be additional translations after their own. Here is one excerpt they wanted the reader of the KJV to understand prior to reading the text,

“Now to the latter we answer; that we do not deny, nay we affirm and avow, that the very meanest translation of the Bible in English, set forth by men of our profession, (for we have seen none of theirs of the whole Bible as yet) containeth the word of God, nay, is the word of God. As the King’s speech, which he uttereth in Parliament, being translated into French, Dutch, Italian, and Latin, is still the King’s speech, though it be not interpreted by every Translator with the like grace, nor peradventure so fitly for phrase, nor so expressly for sense, everywhere. ” [HT – Tim Archer]

In other words, translation is tough and arduous. This is not the only viable translation that exists or will exist but this is our best go at it. God’s grace will suffice for our shortcomings.

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Church Plans Bible Burning

Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Canton, NC plans a book burning for Halloween [HT: Brian Nicklaus]. They are burning books they believe are Satanic. On the list…just about any version of the Bible other than the Authorized Version (KJV). They are even burning the NKJV! I guess that leaves me asking which KJV do they believe is the true KJV? According to their website it is the 1611 KJV. If that is the case, I wonder how they would answer the following:

1. If the 1611 is the ONLY real Bible, what about the Apocrypha it contained? Do they read from that or did the translators in 1611 think it was less inspired as they translated and included it?
2. Which 1611 KJV? There were two versions produced in 1611. What about all the revisions in 1612, 1613, 1616, 1629, 1638, 1701? Do those count? All of those improved upon the 1611 and did away with numerous errors in the text.
3. What about those thousands of typographical, and spelling errors in the original 1611? Were those inspired translational and typographical errors or would they admit to the 1611 having limitations? For instance, in the original 1611 KJV, Matthew 26:36 read, “Then cometh Judas” rather than “Then cometh Jesus”? I have gone online to the 1611 online and they have all corrected this but it was in the original 1611. Not sure how they can call it the 1611 if they edit and revise it like that. If the congregation reads from a KJV that has “Then comes Jesus” correct as it is, but not the “official 1611” does that mean they are in error for having an update!?!

I guess this brings a whole new meaning to letting your “light shine.” If the 1611 had thousands of errors, shouldn’t it be burned as well? Of course not! Just like many of the other legitimate translations of God’s word that they are burning…they all hold a place in the lives of Christians. Wouldn’t the world be better off for these Bibles to be given to people who need the Gospel? Don’t people have better things to do with their time? Why not take that same time and effort and hand out all the 1611 KJV’s you want into the neighborhood if that is your thing?