Even if one feels the KJV is the only true inspired Word of God and the other are wrong becaue they don't put enough emphasis on things such as the blood and the virgin birth, is a Christian wrong for using other versions? I mean don't many God fearing, God loving Christians use different versions? Can't almost any if not every version on the market lead someone to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Thanks.
A different question about Bible versions
Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by Nicholas25, Apr 16, 2007.
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Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member
Only the extreme radical element of those whom, as you say, "feels the KJV is the only true inspired Word of God," would say that the Modern Versions have no value whatsoever. A Christian would not be "doing wrong" for using another version, although those who defend the KJV would say that they are using a less accurate translation. That being said, any Christian, who knows their Bible, can lead a person to the Lord using any English translation that I am aware of.
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I appreciate your reply and agree with your answer. Another question comes to my mind, and that is, is it a sin to read other Bible versions? Or I should say do some see it as sin?
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It's not a sin to read other versions. Even the KJV is a 'version'. -
You can find the message of salvation even in the New World Translation.
That being said, my Greek professor suggests that the best thing for a saved person to do is read along in the Greek text to see if what the preacher is saying is true. (And the Hebrew, if you can become fluent in both.)
Since that's not possible in most cases, then use a translation that sticks most closely to the original manuscripts, and uses correct modern words, instead of correct ancient words that have changed meanings in modern times. (The three he suggests are Rotherham's, CLV, and because it's readily available, the NASB, but I still prefer the KJV for reading because I like the way it is written and I am most familiar with it.)
I recommend reading an English etymology dictionary, and looking at the history and timescale of English words and how and when they changed, and I also recommend getting the BDAG.
Edited to add: Now, I guess I'm really headed the wrong direction and will have a lot to answer for in the future, not to mention being attacked in the present. -
I am "King James only"--for me at least. I searched a long time when I moved to Florida from Michigan for a church that uses the King James. Up north the Baptist churches use King James. Down here most of them use everything except the King James. I refuse to buy another version of the Bible that I wouldn't use at home just so I can have it to use at church. I can't follow other versions [snipped] that read entirely different. I particularly don't like [snipped]versions that remove key words like "begotten" in John 3:16, or change the meaning by changing the words just to make it easier for people who are too lazy to study to be able to understand it. I have no problem with "thee", "thou", "thine", and "thy". There are a few archaic words I have difficulty with, but then they aren't all that important. In an effort to make the Bible more understandable, too many translations have changed the meanings of verses.
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Third, it's not worth commenting on. -
Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member
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double..................
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jon-marc.. it is against the rules of BB to call any version a perversion...
Just a friendly notice... -
Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member
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Just go back and read some of the many threads on this subject and you will see for yourself. It's not pretty. :tear: -
Jon marc, a personal request. Please do not call my version of choice (NKJV) perverted. It is God's word as much as the KJV. -
Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member
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Can't any version lead someone to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
Maybe, but then again, so can a gospel tract. Why do we have a bible in the first place?
2 Timothy 3
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Don't many God fearing, God loving Christians use different versions?
Absolutely, and there are many who use the KJV only that seem to have no fear of God. Are we to fear God? Absolutely!
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
What does it mean to love God?
John 14
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
This goes back to the question of why we have a bible in the first place. We have to know what God commands in order to keep His commandments. I believe that it is so important to know what God commands that He would not leave it up in the air, but would make a way for a common man like myself to read and find out.
Is a Christian wrong for using other versions?
Ultimately I think that will depend on their motive, as is the case with just about anything we do in life. If I do the right thing for the wrong motive, it is sin. If I do the wrong thing for the right motive, is it still sin? To whatever degree God reveals light to us, we will be accountable for that light. There is no commandment that I can find that says 'thou shalt only read the KJV.' But I think it would be foolish to believe that God doesn't care what bible version we use.
Luke 12
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Most people would agree that there are better bibles and there are worse bibles. Would it not stand to reason that there would be a best bible? -
I think the sin is not reading whatever version God has lead you to...
If it is the KJV, then read it. If it is the NIV, read it... same with NLT, or NASB, or ESV... Just read it...
Here is a for instance:
My wife grew up in a KJVO church.. she also has a reading disability... as a result, she could not fully understand what she was reading... her bible knowledge is limited now. Her mom drilled it in to her head that if she is spiritual enough, she should be able to understand the KJV. This left here feeling frustrated and guilty.
After I came out of the kJVO movement. I suggested to her to try reading a NLT. We got her a copy, and the scriptures opened up to her.
Now we are trying to move her from the NLT to the NIV, or even NKJV... one that is more word for word.. she uses both side by side...
But the point is, she is using it...
And has learned that the teaching of her home church damaged her spirituality by saying that she was not spiritual because she could not understand the KJV.
I am KJVP, but I would rather someone read the NLT and understand it enough to have an ongoing relationship with God, than someone only sticking with the KJV because they think it somehow has some magical properties... -
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John 13
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
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I don't think I'm seeing the love. -
Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member
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