Why do so many Americans use the KJV?

Many grew up with the KJV and are comfortable with it.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I have no problem with other, more modern versions, but I think it loses some of it's beauty when spoken in today's language. I've always loved the KJV for the language and have had no problem understanding the meaning of it. I learned to love it while sitting at my Grandmother's knee as she daily read to us out of her much worn KJV. The verses that I loved and learned as a child don't sound right in a modern version.

 

Joe is right... We grew up with it...

I am not so sure about comfortable, though, as I stumble over King Jamesese English...

It was the most used and accessable Bible available and isn't nice to ask the congregation to read along with you if you are reading out of "The Thomas Markette Last Known Translation" that they haven't even heard of before...

 

I started seminary training in 1945 when it was KJV versus everything else in the modernist vs fundamentalist controversy. That was in England. I memorized key texts in KJV and that sticks like glue in my memory.

Generally, I transliterate from the pulpit to make it more understandable. Aside from that, there is a certain cadence to the KJV, especially when read in public, that no recent translation seems to have. On readability, I like the J.B.Phillips New Testament.

Old, like me, my theological texts are all either KJV, RV or RSV, when not using Greek, Hebrew or German.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Delly is close to what I see as the reason for this situation.
The language, cadence and beauty, is so much more majestic than any of the more modern versions, that it sounds and reads like something so much higher than our everyday speach.
Even for they who would replace the KJV completely, it has that quality about it that cannot be discounted very quickly.
For myself, of course, there really IS no substitute.
In HIS service;
Jim

 

I too was raised on KJV and didn't know there was any other translations until the early 70's!!(I mean like the later ones after KJV)

I, like Jim, have it all "tattooed" in my brain so to speak, and so it is easy for me to look up a scripture in the strongs if I can't remember where it is found in the bible.

From time to time I have read other translations, but always go back to KJV. And to top it off, I like it because I understand it!!

Is that strange??

Working for Jesus,

Tam

 

It seems to be the translation which God has indorsed here in the USA. God continues to lead great preachers and teachers to the KJV. It is the power of God which keeps this English translation alive and well. God will not let His pure words to ever be totally snuffed out. It is the Holy Spirit conviction that continues to lead even many liberal teachers to the KJV. Afterall, it is the pure Word of our Lord!

God Bless!

 

For that reason, it is actually less of an accurate representation of scripture as it was originally given. Scripture never carried any majestic cadence and beauty when written, it was quite plain and "everyday" sounding.

 

I don't think so... The Greek's were very eloquent and precise----Why, they even had 3 words for LOVE. The Hebrew is very melodic.

The King James is an excellant translation. It encourages study as it does not attempt to infer meaning.

 

I don't think this thread was intended to debate the merits or demerits of the KJV, but rather asking the question as to why it seems to prevail.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Likely it's due to tradition. The most common translation on the market today is the NIV. The KJV is still #2, though. IMO, the KJV will still be heavily used for at least 20 more years in the US.

 

Actually, the koine Greek has 5 words for love, and 4 of them are found in scripture. We English speakers only have one, which is why it's important to study scriptural context and content, regardless of which translation you use.

 

Tradition.

 

Too cheap to spend $70. on a NKJV?

 

It can't be totally tradition. I, as well as hundreds of others, have begun with an NIV and then switched to the KJV.

I wonder if we have another 20 years!

God Bless!

 

Surely you know that the NKJV has absolutely nothing to do with the KJB. Marketers simply saw another way to promote yet another version for profits.

There is a King James bible available that is edited for easier reading. It keeps intact the integrety of the original text but replaces the thees and thous with modern English styles. So there is no excuse for not owning and studying the pure word of the Lord. It is available through "TheKingisComing" web site.

God Bless!

 

What seems odd to me is, JUST WHO GETS THE ROYALTIES?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Should any Bible cost more than the materials it is made of?

 

I also grew up with the KJV. I have tried other versions over the years. I like NASB and the Darby translations. I think there is something lost in the newer translations. 4 Example: I just listened to the book of Leviticus (NIV) and I did not hear the words 'tabernacle' or 'veil' . Maybe I'm not used to it, but it just isn't the same...

Also, some verses really stand out in the KJV like John 11:39: "...Lord, by this time he stinketh..."