![]() We will now show that both forms of passionate adherence to the King James Bible are untenable. It is, they say, the most accurate, the most reverent and theologically sound, and the most outstanding for beauty and simplicity of language. They say that the KJV excels all the others by every measure we should use in evaluating translations.They regard the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Old Testament and the Received Text of the Greek New Testament-the texts underlying the KJV (which we will call the KJV texts)-as the preserved Word of God. They say that almost all modern translations rely upon inferior texts.To justify placing the KJV on a high pedestal, they give two reasons. Those in the second group of KJV-only fundamentalists back away from claiming that the translation itself is inspired, but they nevertheless believe that the KJV is the best Bible available, and they strongly oppose its replacement with any modern translation. Whether or not they admit it, they evidently believe that God is partial to the English-speaking peoples. To my knowledge, they do not grant inspired status to any Bible in a foreign language. ![]() Rather, they believe that God inspired the translators of only one version, the KJV, and that other versions are reliable only to the extent that they follow the KJV. Those in the first have broadened the scope of divine inspiration to include even the process of translation-but not this process whenever it takes place. Proponents of the KJV fall into two fairly distinct groups. We will examine the KJV-only position in lessons 1 and 2 and the position favoring the critical text in lessons 3 and 4. As often happens when two extremes fire at each other, the only casualty has been truth in the middle. The skirmishes that have so far erupted have merely helped each side unite and energize its following. But neither side seems in danger of losing. They have identified each other as the evil empire. To suppress truth, he is creating two false extremes that are monopolizing the territory of debate, eliminating every choice besides themselves. It is evident that the devil is succeeding in the same ploy he has used many times in the past. The other side looks upon anyone who rejects the critical text as an enemy of learning. The KJV-only side is branding dissenters as heterodox or heretical. (What we mean by "the critical text" will be discussed later.) Both sides, especially the KJV-only side, are demanding that all who wish to remain in their good graces must submit to their point of view. On the other stand those who approve at least some of the many modern English translations based on the critical text of the New Testament. On one side stand partisans of the King James Version (KJV). ![]() One of the most contentious and divisive questions in fundamentalism today is, "Which is the right Bible?" The combatants have sorted themselves out into two main camps.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |