KJV ONLY?

K.J.V. Only

K.J.V. is an English translation of the Bible and has problems for the American reader. It is not the original manuscript but was the first for English speaking people. English is not used as the primary language here in America. For we departed from English rule several years ago. Where I grew up we spoke American but we were taught English and the proper use of it. But our language was far different from what was being used in England. We studied for the sake of the language rules and other very good reasons. For an American to go over to England today, there would be a lot of conversation that would require some help to comprehend what they are saying. To an Englishman the hood of a car is a bonnet. Such differences occur in the Bible. All you have to do is read commentaries by English people from the 1800’s and you need a dictionary beside you to understand. This presents problems for the American reader of this century for the K.J.V. used language from a generation ago. We don’t even understand our children who live in our homes and they are living right beside us. They use phrases and words that we have never heard. Same is true for us that lived during the 50’s and 60’s for them. As a matter of fact we need to be careful what we say concerning those days as I have been reminded. Our kids have never heard such talk and don't really need to. But their friends and classmates speak a different tongue. An example of this difference between England and the US language that would suffice is 1 Thess. 4:15 where the Greek word phthano in the English version is translated prevent and in the one of the American versions is translated precede.

To the American reading the English version he would think it meant stop instead of come first or anticipate.

To say that the K.J.V. is a message that came down from God qualifies a man's thinking and theology. Since the translation was arranged by King James several higher quality manuscripts have been discovered as well as several word interpretations have been discovered that were wrong. To those of us who have studied Greek and Hebrew know the foolishness of saying the KJV is the only dependable translation today. Again to forget that the K.J.V. is a translation and not the original is blindly being obstinate and lacking proper use of reasoning and reveals no contact with original languages the Bible was written in. I agree there are dangerous versions that are interpretations and not translations. English vs. American word usage's have broadened, Qumran finds of original documents only a couple of generations away from the Apostles all reveal that improvements have been made in a few of the translations today (Cf. Article Bible Versions). N.A.S.B. is one. And it has problems also. Those which interpret (like the Living and N.I.V.) instead of translate should be avoided at all cost. Again any theological scholar having Greek and Hebrew translational abilities quickly see the fallacy of K.J.V. only theology.

2 Kings 9:8; 1 Sam. 25:22 etc. and then read in N.A.S.B.