I eagerly opened a book I received in the mail from a well known Christian ministry. As I looked through the introductory material, I noticed the mention of the use of two popular Bible versions. I was disappointed and disgusted.
It was no surprise that the book’s author used Bible translations other than the King James Bible. Most people and churches look down on the KJV. After all, we’ve advanced, right? Scholarship and all that.
Besides, we don’t speak like that any more. But as my late friend Gerald pointed out many years ago, King James English used to be the common language.
Look what our language is like now.
But on go the anti-KJV arguements. I’ve heard them all.
Though I prefer the KJV myself, other translations can be helpful now and then for illuminating some Scripture passages.
What got to me from the book I received was the listing of numerous copyright dates for each translation indicated.
What gives? The translators couldn’t get it right the first time? I know, improved scholarship, right?
If you’ve got one of the popular translations, are you sure you’ve got the latest, most accurate one?
Is it truly trustworthy? Or does it refer to God as a holy she?
Then there’s the matter of a copyright itself. The author of my book was undoubtedly obligated to add the statement, “Used with permission.”
Really? The author had to get permission to use the word of God? Do you see any copyright statements or disclaimers on Paul’s letters?
Imagine Paul or one of the Gospel writers saying, “Now, fellas, be sure you don’t let churches use my works without written permission.”.
How far along do you think we’d be at spreading the good news from the word of God?
OK, I can understand notes and commentary in study Bibles being copyrighted, but that should be as far as it goes.
The beauty of the King James Version is that it’s in the public domain. Quote from it freely.
It’s called the Authorized Version, right? To play with the meaning of the word authorized a bit, you and I are authorized to use the KJV. We can spread God’s word far and wide without restrictions from publishers.
The Bible college I attended some 40 years ago was well on the way to transitioning out of using the KJV. One of my professors made a profound statement about Bible versions. The decades have proven him to be right.
This particular instructor was inclined to take a break after 20 minutes of lecturing to drop in comments which were more memorable to me than the regular class material. On one occasion he said there’s only one reason for new Bible translations.
Money.