Session One Does it Matter Which Version?

Session SixThe Superiority of the King James BibleStaying PowerOver the past 400 years, the King James Bible has endured great persecutionIn spite of this, it thrives today Why?Some recent charges placed against it:Its contextually outdatedIts written in an archaic languageIts a bad translation3An Excellent TranslationThe King James Version is also referred to as the Authorized VersionKing James never issued an official authorizationIt is authorized in the sense that it has God-given authority and has stood on its own meritsthe only authority of the Authorized Version was thus that of its own intrinsic merits and its superiority over its rivals*Muir, W. Our Grand Old Bible p. 1414An Excellent TranslationThe King James Bible was not intended to be a literary work, but became the standard for English LiteratureThe beauty of the King James Bible is evidenced every time it is read aloudthe sense of majesty is one of the reasons for the lasting appeal of the King James Bible which is dense with a kind of verbal sumptuousness**From a video documentary The Making of the King James Bible BBC Its the most engaging version to read of any Bible todayIts language is superior because it comes from the era of the height of English languageA comparison of other versions will demonstrate its relative simplicity and understandabilityWithout a doubt, its translation is superior

5An Excellent TranslationKJVCommon English BiblePsalm 23:66An Excellent TranslationThe English of the Bible is not Jacobean or Elizabethan, but the English of the history of the language it is not contextually outdatedIt is true that some words that appear in the King James Bible are archaicThe meaning can be determined by contextThe meaning can be found in a dictionaryMore words of Shakespeare have become obsolete

Shakespeare uses over 15000 words compared to 6000 in KJ (60 words - less than 1% are archaic)

We require students to read Shakespeare in school, yet the Bible must be dumbed-down because of its archaic wording?

Eg. Changed meaning: Carriages luggage (Acts 21:15)7The King James is a Superior BibleThe King James is superior because of its:Text (see Sessions 3, 4 and 5)Translators (see Session 3)TranslationTeachingTextual basis is the reason we hold to the KJ it is the only English language Bible based on pure original language texts

Translators reverence for Gods word (verbal inspiration)

Translation accurate, but readible

Teaching because of the previous three8Types of TranslationLiteral a word-for-word translationFormal EquivalenceConcern for words and styleConcern for form of originalConcern for form of translationAccurate, but readableDynamic Equivalence (Paraphrase, Free Translation)Translation of the sense without great concern for the wordsParaphrasing means to put in other words9Two ExtremesLiteral (John 3:16) so For loved God the world, so as the Son of Him, the only-begotten, He gave, that everyone believing into Him not may perish, but have life everlasting.

10Two ExtremesDynamic Equivalence (Ephesians 2:10)God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are. (Contemporary English Version)For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV)11Assessment of Translation MethodsVariations exist in the syntax of languages i.e. Sentences are formed using different rulesThere are some words which dont have an exact equivalent, while others may have two possible words in the translation dependent on the contextSuch things as verb tenses and moods, noun gender, and double negatives raise grammatical concerns12Assessment of Translation MethodsA word-for-word translation would be difficult to read in most cases, and would make no sense in many casesA dynamic equivalence translation is improper for a number of reasonsThe translator takes on the role of a teacherIt substitutes mans thoughts for Gods wordsIt places more importance on its impact on the target audience than accurate translationIt confuses spiritual enlightenment with natural understandingImpact translation the goal is to affect the reader in the same way the original text affected the original readers this is absolutely impossible

Never seen snow thou your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as the inside of a coconut (UBS translation work)Not familiar with sacrificing lambs John the Baptist declares Behold, the Cock of God (UBS northern Indian dialect)

What if no word in target language? transliteration

Spiritual enlightenment is explained in I Cor the natural man cant understand the things of God13Italics?The King James utilizes formal equivalenceAt times words were supplied by the translators that are not in the original languages to facilitate readability while maintaining accuracyThis is not dynamic equivalence as adherence to the original form is the objectiveEphesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;14Italics?Italics reveal the character of the translatorsThe translators had a reverence for Gods verbally inspired wordThe translators were honestly informing the readerThe translators possessed superior ability, understanding that a good translation requires this detail15Italics? Who killed Goliath?*The NASB does include a cross-reference to a passage that names Goliaths brotherII Samuel 21:1916Italics?Psalm 16:8Acts 2:25he is not in the original Hebrewhe is is in the original Greek, even though it is a quote of the Hebrew

In other words, the Greek language allows for the words to actually appear to convey this sentence whereas the Hebrew words do not. Italics = Gods word? YES17Doctrinal DifferencesWhen comparing individual verses in the King James to modern versions the difference in words and meaning is clearly observableAre there any real doctrinal differences?It cannot be stressed too heavily that not one textual variant affects even one single teaching of Scripture. Fully 100% of the [Critical] Greek New Testament is free from variants that alter doctrine.*

Schnaiter, Sam. Bible Preservation and the Providence of God p. 8418Doctrinal Differencesnot a single variant in any way alters what Christians believe and practice. Every variant could be included in our Bibles or every variant could be omitted and it would not affect our faith and practice in any way.*This is a lie! There are doctrinal differences that result from a faulty textual basisNot to mention the doctrinal differences that appear because of dynamic equivalenceWilliams, James B. Gods Word in Our Hands-The Bible Preserved for Us Quotation be Mark Minnick (p271)Then why are homosexuals and theistic evolutionists preferring modern versions19Doctrinal DifferencesJack Moorman has identified at least 356 doctrinal errors in the Westcott and Hort Greek Critical Text*There were doctrinal errors in Sinaiticus and Vaticanus (the supposed oldest=best manuscripts)Additional manuscripts which contain doctrinal errors continue to be found*From Early Manuscripts, Church Fathers, and the Authorized Version20Gnostic DoctrineJesus had a sin natureJoseph was the father of JesusThe word Lord refers to the Father, not JesusJesus was merely a human being who received the Christ spirit at his baptismLucifer is the saviorGod is the universal Father of all mankindRedemption includes all the angels including SatanMan is saved through faith in his own works, not Christs

From Early Manuscripts, Church Fathers, and the Authorized Version21Doctrinal DifferencesDeity of Christ I Timothy 3:16, I John 4:3Virgin birth Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:25Christs mission Matthew 18:11Blood Atonement Colossians 1:14, Ephesians 1:7Inspiration of scripture II Timothy 3:16Salvation Acts 8:37, Romans 5:1, I Peter 2:2Large passages (is it possible that no doctrine exists)Mark 16:9-20John 7:53-8:1122