2. Session Six The Superiority of the King James Bible

3. Staying Power Over the past 400 years, the King James Bible has endured great persecution In spite of this, it thrives today – Why? Some recent charges placed against it: – Its contextually outdated – Its written in an archaic language – Its a bad translation

4. An Excellent Translation The King James Version is also referred to as the Authorized Version – King James never issued an official authorization – It is authorized in the sense that it has God-given authority and has stood on its own merits – …the 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. 141

5. An Excellent Translation The King James Bible was not intended to be a literary work, but became the standard for English Literature The beauty of the King James Bible is evidenced every time it is read aloud the 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

6. An Excellent Translation Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live [b] in the LORDs house as long as I live. KJV Common English Bible Psalm 23:6

7. An Excellent Translation The English of the Bible is not Jacobean or Elizabethan, but the English of the history of the language – it is not contextually outdated It is true that some words that appear in the King James Bible are archaic – The meaning can be determined by context – The meaning can be found in a dictionary – More words of Shakespeare have become obsolete

8. The King James is a Superior Bible The King James is superior because of its: – Text (see Sessions 3, 4 and 5) – Translators (see Session 3) – Translation – Teaching

9. Types of Translation Literal – a word-for-word translation Formal Equivalence – Concern for words and style – Concern for form of original – Concern for form of translation – Accurate, but readable Dynamic Equivalence (Paraphrase, Free Translation) – Translation of the sense without great concern for the words – Paraphrasing means to put in other words Form of Original Form of Translation

10. Two Extremes Literal (John 3:16) Ο τω γ ρ γ π ησεν θε ς τ ν κ σμον στε τ ν υ ν α το τ ν μονογεν δωκεν να π ς π ιστε ων ε ς α τ ν μ π ληται λλ χ ζω ν α νιον 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.

11. Two Extremes Dynamic 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)

12. Assessment of Translation Methods Variations exist in the syntax of languages – i.e. Sentences are formed using different rules There are some words which dont have an exact equivalent, while others may have two possible words in the translation dependent on the context Such things as verb tenses and moods, noun gender, and double negatives raise grammatical concerns

13. Assessment of Translation Methods A word-for-word translation would be difficult to read in most cases, and would make no sense in many cases A dynamic equivalence translation is improper for a number of reasons – The translator takes on the role of a teacher – It substitutes mans thoughts for Gods words – It places more importance on its impact on the target audience than accurate translation – It confuses spiritual enlightenment with natural understanding

14. Italics? The King James utilizes formal equivalence At times words were supplied by the translators that are not in the original languages to facilitate readability while maintaining accuracy This is not dynamic equivalence as adherence to the original form is the objective Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

15. Italics? Italics reveal the character of the translators – The translators had a reverence for Gods verbally inspired word – The translators were honestly informing the reader – The translators possessed superior ability, understanding that a good translation requires this detail

16. Italics? Who killed Goliath? …Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. …Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite [fn]killed [fn]*Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. King James Version New American Standard Bible *The NASB does include a cross-reference to a passage that names Goliaths brother II Samuel 21:19

17. Italics? I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Psalm 16:8Acts 2:25

18. Doctrinal Differences When comparing individual verses in the King James to modern versions the difference in words and meaning is clearly observable Are 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. 84

19. Doctrinal Differences …not 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 basis Not to mention the doctrinal differences that appear because of dynamic equivalence Williams, James B. Gods Word in Our Hands-The Bible Preserved for Us – Quotation be Mark Minnick (p271)

20. Doctrinal Differences Jack 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 Version

21. Gnostic Doctrine Jesus had a sin nature Joseph was the father of Jesus The word Lord refers to the Father, not Jesus Jesus was merely a human being who received the Christ spirit at his baptism Lucifer is the savior God is the universal Father of all mankind Redemption includes all the angels including Satan Man is saved through faith in his own works, not Christs From Early Manuscripts, Church Fathers, and the Authorized Version

22. Doctrinal Differences Deity of Christ – I Timothy 3:16, I John 4:3 Virgin birth – Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:25 Christs mission – Matthew 18:11 Blood Atonement – Colossians 1:14, Ephesians 1:7 Inspiration of scripture – II Timothy 3:16 Salvation – Acts 8:37, Romans 5:1, I Peter 2:2 Large passages (is it possible that no doctrine exists) – Mark 16:9-20 – John 7:53-8:11