Important Question...

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by VineyardGold:
I was told yesterday that in order to be a good baptist, I could only read from the King James Bible. Is there any truth to this? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No Frank, there's no truth to this. I would recommend the New King James Version, the New American Standard Bible, the New International Version, or the English Standard Version. All are very good translations in modern language. The KJV is a good translation, but it is not written in modern English and thus it is very hard for most people to read. I grew up on the KJV and I don't like to read it.

 

While I agree that reading the KJV does not make someone a good or bad baptist,pointing them to translations such as the NIV or the NASB is not a good thing.My point being the translation of a simple passage such as John 14:2.By using the NIV or the NASB it is my belief that you diminish the glory and power of God.These translations change a mansion into a mere "room" or "dwelling places".This might seem legelistic,but what about other verses that the meaning is changed along with the words.As far as the NKJV is good it does take some getting used to.Just a thought. I prefer regular BBQ sauce.

 

Hi Frank -

I use the NIV because of the clear language and the massive text notes and cross referencing in it. Some passages sound a bit odd to me in anything but KJV such as Psalm 23 or Luke 2.
In fact, in my church we have KJV in the pews, I carry my NIV, my wife has a Life Application, and the pastor reads his scripture from American Standard!
Of course, some may say I'm not a good Baptist, too!

By the way, why don't you stop by the welcome forume and introduce yourself?

May God bless you

- Clint

[ February 18, 2002: Message edited by: Clint Kritzer ]

 

You're a good Baptist Brother Clint! Sure you don't want to borrow my KJV?... Just kidding!... Brother Glen

What version of the bible you read is your preference the only thing that matters to any christian is following Christ!

 

Although I belong to a KJVO church. I myself don't see how it can be the only Bible. Man was involved in the translation and man will mess up somewhere along the way.

I use the KJV because that is what is used in our church, and I don't think I would get as much out of it if I was using a different translation. I believe it would be confusing for the words to not be the same as what is being read from the pulpit. Besides as someone on the bb once said Ya gotta dance with the one who brought ya.

Bill

 

You interested in being a good Baptist or a good Christian?
da Gina

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by VineyardGold:
[QBI do get bogged down in the thee's and thou's and the 'th's' at the end of every other word.[/QB]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Although the grammar and syntax of the KJV is a bit more difficult to understand than say the NKJV, it also gives you more information. The "thee" "thou" "ye" and "you" pronouns are designed to reveal case (subjective or objective) and number (singular or plural) to the English reader (which the Greek does), which the generic "you" cannot do. (Rule of thumb, if it starts with a "y" it is plural, and if it starts with a "t" it is singular.) As to those pesky "est" and "eth" endings, well, same thing! They give you additional information (which the Greek does) regarding the person of the verb. Another simple rule of thumb is if the middle letter of the ending is "s" as in "est" then it is second person, and if the middle letter of the ending is "t" as in "eth" it is third person. Although more difficult to understand, the KJV gives us a more accurate rendering of the Greek into English than do the English versions which use generic pronouns and verb forms. Don't be afraid of the KJV. With just a little practice you can read it and understand it as well as any other English bible, and get a lot more information for your effort.

Do you have to use the KJV to be a good baptist? No. But it can help you to be a better informed baptist.

 

I heard that the KJV was a 3rd grade reading level...anyone else hear that?

Kathy
&lt;&gt;&lt;

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Kathy:
I heard that the KJV was a 3rd grade reading level...anyone else hear that?

Kathy
&lt;&gt;&lt;<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If that is true, those are some third graders !

UNP
Adam

 

Well, I know my fourth-grader handles it well.

 

VineyardGold, you can read whatever legitimate version of the Bible that best allows you to understand God's word. As a Baptist, you do not have to read the KJV to be a good baptist.

My church uses the KJV only because with mostly older, traditionally blue-collar working families making up the congregation, many know believe that the KJV is THE bible as it was originally written because they do not know much about many other versions.

The NIV, NASB, NKJV, and ESV are really good reads. I personally started using the NIV rather than the KJV about 4 years ago and saw my faith grow by leaps and bounds because I understood it better and discovered things in the Bible I NEVER knew existed.

I hope this helps some.

Have a wonderful day

 

Aaron, that's great to hear. I tried to read the KJV in 5th grade and, while I could read the words on the page, I comprehended little of it. I'm sure it's different for all children though.

UNP
Adam

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> I personally started using the NIV rather than the KJV about 4 years ago and saw my faith grow by leaps and bounds because I understood it better and discovered things in the Bible I NEVER knew existed.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Did you ever think you might not have know it was there because it isn't in the KJV?

Bill

 

I must lovingly interject that I have a harder time understanding the posts from some of our more educated/informed folks here, than I do the KJV. I think the "KJV is hard to understand" point of view is, at best, a cop-out.

If you like a version better, then read it. But please take it easy on us KJVers, we are starting to feel that you don't like us.

 

You like me! You Really Like Me!... Sure you don't want to borrow my KJV?... Brother Glen

[ February 20, 2002: Message edited by: tyndale1946 ]

 

This is a very deep issue to tackle. One must understand that the KJV was the vernacular of the day - in 1611. While it isnt really practical for everyone to study biblical languages, I suggest using several versions in personal Bible study to get a broader view. Some versions are more structurally like the original languages while others are intended to be more easily read in the English language. That is helpful to me. And for our fellow Christians in other countries, there is no KJV. Hmmm.
Also, the mansion vs rooms issue - the original language refers to my Father's "house" with many "rooms"

Blessings,
Tater

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TaterTot:
And for our fellow Christians in other countries, there is no KJV.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>There are several foreign vernaculars based on the same underlying texts as the KJV. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Also, the mansion vs rooms issue - the original language refers to my Father's "house" with many "rooms."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Well, not quite. What the "original language" says is οικια and μοναι. A literal rendering would be "house" and "dwellings" or "abiding places." And, of course, if you would bother to look the word "mansion" up in a good dictionary (I recommend the Oxford English Dictionary, the standard on which all other English dictionaries are based) you would note the definition reads: "A place where one stays or dwells; a place of abode, an abiding place." It is the root word for "manse" which is how many English speakers refer to a parsonage.

Dr. "Ignorance is not a virtue" Cassidy

 

No, ignorance is not a virtue, but it certainly is bliss!

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by NewBeliever:


Did you ever think you might not have know it was there because it isn't in the KJV?

Bill<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There are things in the NIV that are not in the KJV??? I didn't know that.

What kinds of things?

Jamal5000