Sometimes a hot topic, but this comes from a big heart.

[lekh l'kha]

As for the translations, I stick to what God has allowed me to be comfortable with. I do warn against using a paraphrased version because all this is, is one mans interpretation of scripture, written how they view it, trying to make it easy for someone to understand, but they took many liberties when writing it.

Well, if you think about it - that's actually no different than a sermon, is it?

Well, not exactly. Sermons (generally speaking) are in part the product of "exegesis." Exegesis means to "lead out." It is process where by the meaning of the text is brought by using various tools such as the historical/cultural context, as well as the meanings of words in the original languages, and other such tools in literary analysis the author like say Paul, to speak for himself and help us arrive at an understanding of the object Paul had in view in a given text. I realize that there are preachers who don't do that, but generally speaking, that is what a true sermon is.

A paraphrase is the opposite. A parphrase is usually one person putting the Bible into his own words. That many people use such a thing as a "Bible" is both tragic and alarming. A paraphrase like the "Living Bible" that was popularized back in the 70s, was written by one man and started off as a collection of Bible stories he had written for his children. The paraphrase is limited by the theological knowledge of the person doing the paraphrase and their particular theological leanings will flavor the text. So if the person is anti-Semitc, or they don't believe in the gifts of the Spirit, that will be reflected their paraphrase.

I would never recommend any paraphrase.

Actually, I never knew (until now) that "the Living Bible" was one man's translation. It's successor, the NLT, however, was compiled by teams of translators.

Nevertheless, I understand why you say you would never recommend any paraphrased Bible version. The NLT is very helpful in many places, but in other places the translation is affected by the interpretation and understanding (or misinterpretation and misunderstanding) of the passage/verse on the part of the translators. This sort of thing doesn't happen (or at least is extremely limited) with the more literal translations of the Bible.

[Massorite]

With his permission.(Quote)

Mark Staten

I have been keeping up with the postings on this subject off and on all day. When I got home from church this evening I discussed this with Sandy, my blessing from God wife (testimony for another time). She reminded me that she has read and studied from the KJV most of her Christian life which began over 35 yrs. ago, but it wasn't until 12 yrs. ago that she understood what she was reading. When Sandy and I first met she was praying for a teacher, because from the time she was saved in 1973 until 1997 when she saw me in the back of a Christian book store praising God while I was dusting the shelves, no one she asked would teach her. This included her ex-husband who she thought was a man of God until he was caught with another woman and her pastor who would tell her that she didn't need to know the Bible because she was a woman. As we dated I introduced her to other translations to help her to understand what she was reading. I asked her not to stop reading the KJV, but to compare them and to always pray over what she read. After we got married the Holy Spirit had me teach her the awesome power of God and HIS WORD not mans.

I do not have a degree in theology, I am not a professor of the scriptures, and I hold no high office in the church. I do have a love for God that no one can challenge. I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I believe in All gifts of the Spirit, I believe God's Word is infallible and I believe that of all the animals that God created on this earth, mankind is the most ungrateful and the most selfish living creature on this planet. Every time God gives us a gift were not satisfied until we either analyze it, degrade it, experiment on it or we just kill it. I not making light of this subject! I just want to know why when I throw the KJV, NIV, NCV, NASB, ASB or any other version Bible across the room, God doesn't strike me down or make me very sick. How comes when I read about Paul and Silas being beaten and thrown in prison because they spoke the word of God to a fortune teller (Acts16:16-24) and then they started praying and singing praises to God, then all the doors came open and all the shackles came off (Acts16:25-26). After seeing that none of the prisoners had left the jailer asked to be saved, he was and so was his whole household (Acts16:28-32), after reading all of this in any translation, why do I get so FIRED up for the Lord that I go and tell the world about the awesome power of God! Paul and Silas had no KJV, NASB or NIV Bible and no one behind them to tell them what to say or do. They did have the WORD of GOD, it was in them, not in a binder with pages that were transposed by man. I believe that anyone can write a book and call it God's Word, we've all seen the proof of that, but can anyone live up to the Word of God that's in his heart? I know of only one man in history who can say yes and the same creation that was created to worship and praise Him, was to caught up in what the so called authorities were telling them, they ended up missing out on God.

In closing I would like to say that if you do not like a certain food, you don't eat it or recommend it to some else to eat it; if you don't like a certain kind of music, you don't listen to it and you don't tell others to listen to it, so why must any one be hard on people that like a different translation. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you not man. I would never claim that I am more intelligent than the next person, but I do know that Christ is coming back real soon and there are going to many surprises in heaven, one being that the only book being used in Heaven will be " The BOOK Of LIFE"!

Where do you stand with this topic.?

Believe it or not it makes a big difference which version you read from and here is just one example of how different versions confuse. I have had several conversations over a period of time on this web site and in doing so many time worthy members have told me that something wasn't written in the bible and that I was wrong. Yet I was looking at those words as we spoke. Come to find out they were looking at a different version of the bible then I was and they were completely convinced that they or there version was right and I was wrong. The result is confusion and satan is the author of confusion.

That a side let me ask you this. Would you read and study from the homosexual version of the bible? That question is on the extreme side but it makes my point. What ever version one picks to study from influences how you understand what you are reading. When the words "breach of promise" are changed to the one word "opposition" the meaning of that verse and your interpretation of it has been changed. The words "breach of promise" means that God has taken back his promise to the Israelites because they were disobedient. The word "opposition" simply means that God was opposed to what they did but doesn't imply punishment for their disobedience. But the words " breach of promise" tell us that not only was God opposed to what they did but also tells us that they will be punished for their disobedience and they did indeed pay a high price for what they did. Except for two of them all of the Israelites who were present at the Jordan when the spies were first sent, died before they got to the promised land.

The over all lesson here is that God will take back a promise if you rebel against Him if He so choses. But the word "opposition" is watered down and in no way says anything about taking back a promise.

[Guest Butero]

With his permission.(Quote)

Mark Staten

I have been keeping up with the postings on this subject off and on all day. When I got home from church this evening I discussed this with Sandy, my blessing from God wife (testimony for another time). She reminded me that she has read and studied from the KJV most of her Christian life which began over 35 yrs. ago, but it wasn't until 12 yrs. ago that she understood what she was reading. When Sandy and I first met she was praying for a teacher, because from the time she was saved in 1973 until 1997 when she saw me in the back of a Christian book store praising God while I was dusting the shelves, no one she asked would teach her. This included her ex-husband who she thought was a man of God until he was caught with another woman and her pastor who would tell her that she didn't need to know the Bible because she was a woman. As we dated I introduced her to other translations to help her to understand what she was reading. I asked her not to stop reading the KJV, but to compare them and to always pray over what she read. After we got married the Holy Spirit had me teach her the awesome power of God and HIS WORD not mans.

I do not have a degree in theology, I am not a professor of the scriptures, and I hold no high office in the church. I do have a love for God that no one can challenge. I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I believe in All gifts of the Spirit, I believe God's Word is infallible and I believe that of all the animals that God created on this earth, mankind is the most ungrateful and the most selfish living creature on this planet. Every time God gives us a gift were not satisfied until we either analyze it, degrade it, experiment on it or we just kill it. I not making light of this subject! I just want to know why when I throw the KJV, NIV, NCV, NASB, ASB or any other version Bible across the room, God doesn't strike me down or make me very sick. How comes when I read about Paul and Silas being beaten and thrown in prison because they spoke the word of God to a fortune teller (Acts16:16-24) and then they started praying and singing praises to God, then all the doors came open and all the shackles came off (Acts16:25-26). After seeing that none of the prisoners had left the jailer asked to be saved, he was and so was his whole household (Acts16:28-32), after reading all of this in any translation, why do I get so FIRED up for the Lord that I go and tell the world about the awesome power of God! Paul and Silas had no KJV, NASB or NIV Bible and no one behind them to tell them what to say or do. They did have the WORD of GOD, it was in them, not in a binder with pages that were transposed by man. I believe that anyone can write a book and call it God's Word, we've all seen the proof of that, but can anyone live up to the Word of God that's in his heart? I know of only one man in history who can say yes and the same creation that was created to worship and praise Him, was to caught up in what the so called authorities were telling them, they ended up missing out on God.

In closing I would like to say that if you do not like a certain food, you don't eat it or recommend it to some else to eat it; if you don't like a certain kind of music, you don't listen to it and you don't tell others to listen to it, so why must any one be hard on people that like a different translation. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you not man. I would never claim that I am more intelligent than the next person, but I do know that Christ is coming back real soon and there are going to many surprises in heaven, one being that the only book being used in Heaven will be " The BOOK Of LIFE"!

Where do you stand with this topic.?

The reason I hold to the KJV Bible only is that I believe the Textus Receptus was the only reliable early manuscripts, and the new translations come from corrupt texts. New translations often leave out portions of scripture or relegate them to footnotes. I am also concerned about how easily acceptance of new translations will lead to intentionally perverted translations, like the TNIV or the New World Translation. Someone new to the faith could easily get a hold of these perverted Bibles and accept them as being God's Word. I have no desire to outlaw new translations or require anyone to read the KJV only, but I will do what I can to turn people away from new translations and towards the KJV Bible.

[Massorite]

With his permission.(Quote)

Mark Staten

I have been keeping up with the postings on this subject off and on all day. When I got home from church this evening I discussed this with Sandy, my blessing from God wife (testimony for another time). She reminded me that she has read and studied from the KJV most of her Christian life which began over 35 yrs. ago, but it wasn't until 12 yrs. ago that she understood what she was reading. When Sandy and I first met she was praying for a teacher, because from the time she was saved in 1973 until 1997 when she saw me in the back of a Christian book store praising God while I was dusting the shelves, no one she asked would teach her. This included her ex-husband who she thought was a man of God until he was caught with another woman and her pastor who would tell her that she didn't need to know the Bible because she was a woman. As we dated I introduced her to other translations to help her to understand what she was reading. I asked her not to stop reading the KJV, but to compare them and to always pray over what she read. After we got married the Holy Spirit had me teach her the awesome power of God and HIS WORD not mans.

I do not have a degree in theology, I am not a professor of the scriptures, and I hold no high office in the church. I do have a love for God that no one can challenge. I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I believe in All gifts of the Spirit, I believe God's Word is infallible and I believe that of all the animals that God created on this earth, mankind is the most ungrateful and the most selfish living creature on this planet. Every time God gives us a gift were not satisfied until we either analyze it, degrade it, experiment on it or we just kill it. I not making light of this subject! I just want to know why when I throw the KJV, NIV, NCV, NASB, ASB or any other version Bible across the room, God doesn't strike me down or make me very sick. How comes when I read about Paul and Silas being beaten and thrown in prison because they spoke the word of God to a fortune teller (Acts16:16-24) and then they started praying and singing praises to God, then all the doors came open and all the shackles came off (Acts16:25-26). After seeing that none of the prisoners had left the jailer asked to be saved, he was and so was his whole household (Acts16:28-32), after reading all of this in any translation, why do I get so FIRED up for the Lord that I go and tell the world about the awesome power of God! Paul and Silas had no KJV, NASB or NIV Bible and no one behind them to tell them what to say or do. They did have the WORD of GOD, it was in them, not in a binder with pages that were transposed by man. I believe that anyone can write a book and call it God's Word, we've all seen the proof of that, but can anyone live up to the Word of God that's in his heart? I know of only one man in history who can say yes and the same creation that was created to worship and praise Him, was to caught up in what the so called authorities were telling them, they ended up missing out on God.

In closing I would like to say that if you do not like a certain food, you don't eat it or recommend it to some else to eat it; if you don't like a certain kind of music, you don't listen to it and you don't tell others to listen to it, so why must any one be hard on people that like a different translation. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you not man. I would never claim that I am more intelligent than the next person, but I do know that Christ is coming back real soon and there are going to many surprises in heaven, one being that the only book being used in Heaven will be " The BOOK Of LIFE"!

Where do you stand with this topic.?

The reason I hold to the KJV Bible only is that I believe the Textus Receptus was the only reliable early manuscripts, and the new translations come from corrupt texts. New translations often leave out portions of scripture or relegate them to footnotes. I am also concerned about how easily acceptance of new translations will lead to intentionally perverted translations, like the TNIV or the New World Translation. Someone new to the faith could easily get a hold of these perverted Bibles and accept them as being God's Word. I have no desire to outlaw new translations or require anyone to read the KJV only, but I will do what I can to turn people away from new translations and towards the KJV Bible.

Butero

I have recieved my edited book from my publisher and as could be expected I have some more work to do. Can I use part of what you have stated about the KJV in my teaser/intro? I to hang with the KJV only because I have found so many changes in other versions that beyond the shadow received of a doubt confounds the proper understanding of what scripture says.

[pokemaughan]

Indeed this is a hot topic and I am ever so grateful that it has not turned into a painful discussion, as it usually does. I myself have had a good deal of experience in this arena, from both sides of the table.

First of all, I think the important thing above all this is that we don't place our brothers and sisters in 'this camp' or 'that camp' when this issue is discussed. I can pull the same meaning from the KJV as I pull from the ESV... a person can (obviously) come to knowledge of Christ through a translation other than the KJV, so it's clear God will use His Holy Word in more than one format.

I think the real heart of the issue however is the issue of faithfulness and confusion. Obviously there are quite the myriad of translations about, and comparing them you will find difference here and there. Ultimately I think we can all agree that it is the ideal that we are able to hold on a single translation and call it THE Word of God... but this is just simply not possible. Certain idioms, words, and other 'rough passages' in the text are just very difficult to work out- and it is only by comparison and deep study in all the options that it can truly be worked out, but even then only to a minor degree. This is because we are indeed but men, and we can only go so far in the duty of interpreting God's Word.

To the issue of so many 'options'- I am actually glad we have many options. If we only had one source from fallible men in the 16th century, it would be far easier to be mislead because if the KJV translators made an error, we wouldn't have any idea and no point of comparison for it. Fortunately we do... we have more texts, more scholars, more theologians... essentially this is a diamond that has been continually polished and cut to get where we are today.

And then there's the issue of readability- some people cannot read beyond a 3rd grade level. Homeless people WOULD NOT be able to just pick up a KJV and come to knowledge of God. In that case they would need an NLT or the like... something that speaks to where they are. I know personally that my first Bible (before I was saved) was either KJV or NKJV, and I could not understand a single word or idea. It collected dust for a good 5-6 years, and now it is appreciated far more, because my comprehension has increased- but at the time it was a rather holy paperweight.

And here's a fact- as time goes on, our language and understanding of it will and has changed. This is the necessity for new translation. Old words take different meanings or are lost entirely, and thankfully there is always a crack team of scholars to keep up with the changes.

Here is an interesting article about translation:

Translation as Treason

Earlier this year, I read If This Be Treason by translator Gregory Rabassa and wrote a short review of it that is forthcoming in Fack

[Guest Butero]

With his permission.(Quote)

Mark Staten

I have been keeping up with the postings on this subject off and on all day. When I got home from church this evening I discussed this with Sandy, my blessing from God wife (testimony for another time). She reminded me that she has read and studied from the KJV most of her Christian life which began over 35 yrs. ago, but it wasn't until 12 yrs. ago that she understood what she was reading. When Sandy and I first met she was praying for a teacher, because from the time she was saved in 1973 until 1997 when she saw me in the back of a Christian book store praising God while I was dusting the shelves, no one she asked would teach her. This included her ex-husband who she thought was a man of God until he was caught with another woman and her pastor who would tell her that she didn't need to know the Bible because she was a woman. As we dated I introduced her to other translations to help her to understand what she was reading. I asked her not to stop reading the KJV, but to compare them and to always pray over what she read. After we got married the Holy Spirit had me teach her the awesome power of God and HIS WORD not mans.

I do not have a degree in theology, I am not a professor of the scriptures, and I hold no high office in the church. I do have a love for God that no one can challenge. I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I believe in All gifts of the Spirit, I believe God's Word is infallible and I believe that of all the animals that God created on this earth, mankind is the most ungrateful and the most selfish living creature on this planet. Every time God gives us a gift were not satisfied until we either analyze it, degrade it, experiment on it or we just kill it. I not making light of this subject! I just want to know why when I throw the KJV, NIV, NCV, NASB, ASB or any other version Bible across the room, God doesn't strike me down or make me very sick. How comes when I read about Paul and Silas being beaten and thrown in prison because they spoke the word of God to a fortune teller (Acts16:16-24) and then they started praying and singing praises to God, then all the doors came open and all the shackles came off (Acts16:25-26). After seeing that none of the prisoners had left the jailer asked to be saved, he was and so was his whole household (Acts16:28-32), after reading all of this in any translation, why do I get so FIRED up for the Lord that I go and tell the world about the awesome power of God! Paul and Silas had no KJV, NASB or NIV Bible and no one behind them to tell them what to say or do. They did have the WORD of GOD, it was in them, not in a binder with pages that were transposed by man. I believe that anyone can write a book and call it God's Word, we've all seen the proof of that, but can anyone live up to the Word of God that's in his heart? I know of only one man in history who can say yes and the same creation that was created to worship and praise Him, was to caught up in what the so called authorities were telling them, they ended up missing out on God.

In closing I would like to say that if you do not like a certain food, you don't eat it or recommend it to some else to eat it; if you don't like a certain kind of music, you don't listen to it and you don't tell others to listen to it, so why must any one be hard on people that like a different translation. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you not man. I would never claim that I am more intelligent than the next person, but I do know that Christ is coming back real soon and there are going to many surprises in heaven, one being that the only book being used in Heaven will be " The BOOK Of LIFE"!

Where do you stand with this topic.?

The reason I hold to the KJV Bible only is that I believe the Textus Receptus was the only reliable early manuscripts, and the new translations come from corrupt texts. New translations often leave out portions of scripture or relegate them to footnotes. I am also concerned about how easily acceptance of new translations will lead to intentionally perverted translations, like the TNIV or the New World Translation. Someone new to the faith could easily get a hold of these perverted Bibles and accept them as being God's Word. I have no desire to outlaw new translations or require anyone to read the KJV only, but I will do what I can to turn people away from new translations and towards the KJV Bible.

Butero

I have recieved my edited book from my publisher and as could be expected I have some more work to do. Can I use part of what you have stated about the KJV in my teaser/intro? I to hang with the KJV only because I have found so many changes in other versions that beyond the shadow received of a doubt confounds the proper understanding of what scripture says.

That is fine. You have my permission.

[WolfBitn]

Great thread

I have to side with the KJV onliers on this one... with slight exception

I use the kjv as my main source because the manuscripts it is based on are complete. This cant at all be said for the other translations, however i DO compare the other translaitons in order to not just throw out the baby with the bathwater... the way a sentence is phrased can certianly inspire a new thought.

I have studied this fairly much in depth, and the alexandrian manuscripts certinaly leave a lot to be desired

1 the claim that they are the oldest is simply not true.

a, The Western Greek manuscripts predate them.

b, the latin translations predated them

2 the claim that they are the most reliable is simply not so

a, there are trunkated sentences all through the Sinaticus and the vaticanus

b, there are trunkated BOOKS in both

c, sentences are repeated in full

d, sentences begin to repeat and then carry on normally

e, entire books are missing from them

f, they were revised until 1200 and 1600 ad respectively, so how can we even BEGIN to say they date to the 4th century?

g, around 900 ad the inks were completely faded in places, and badly faded in others, and they were both basicly rewritten

h, 4 major scribes and 6 minor scribes were responsible for the workd through a period of over 800 years

i, One scribe, in the text itself BLASTED prior scribes for altering the translation... right there in the very manuscript being called the most reliable

The alexandrian manuscripts arose around the end of the lifetime of Origin from Alexandria. They are called Alexandrian because most of them were found in this area of Egypt, where Origin taught philosophies and such. He was big on greek philosophy but also taught christian philosophy, marrying them together.... He wrote over 6000 works and even states that he learned hebrew in order to 'improve' on the manuscripts. Origin was a VERY early universalist, and taught what he called 'monsterous regeneration'. In short saying that all creation including satan himself would be reconsiled to the Lord in the end. He was eventually declared a heretic along with his doctrines being declared heretical.

The alexandrian manuscripts even reflect Origins philosophies on christian doctrine.

It tends to remove reflections of the diety of Christ. For instance "Godhead" becomes "Diety"... this is a MAJOR change because Godhead iomplies a plurality as we see in the trinity, whereas diety is singular.

1 jn 5:7 is removed and even Jerome who was a contemperary of the sinaticus pronounced his judgement against it by saying 1 jn 5:7 was OMITTED from the newer texts... He lived at a time when Origins followers were in leadership positions. He too had a version omitting it, but it seems this was under GREAT protest because his statement that it was OMMITTED (and apparently to Jeromes disgust) appears in the very forward of his translation.

The plan of salvation is removed

a virgin becomes a young woman

over 16,000 words are ommited

In manuscript comparisons with the writings of Origin, its shown that the alexandrian manuscripts match the writings of Origin, whereas the western texts which predate them, and the byzantine texts after them match nearly perfectly

Theres a lot more i could say but i dont want to go on with it too much in one post

In short though let me reiterate that i use the kjv as my base of understanding, because it contains the most complete text. I also study it using the greek and Hebrew, but i also compare the other translations. If i see a conflict i go with the original greek or hebrew and the kjv... if i see no conflict then i try to glean more understanding by how each is translated... 1 word can strike a fire like any one spark on dry grass

I certainly dont judge someone by the translation they use for the most part... there are exceptions like a homosexual version lol

I do caution though to at least own a kjv and study from it along with any other translation to do your own comparitive studies, making sure you receive the complete text

[pokemaughan]

Great thread

I have to side with the KJV onliers on this one... with slight exception

I use the kjv as my main source because the manuscripts it is based on are complete. This cant at all be said for the other translations, however i DO compare the other translaitons in order to not just throw out the baby with the bathwater... the way a sentence is phrased can certianly inspire a new thought.

I have studied this fairly much in depth, and the alexandrian manuscripts certinaly leave a lot to be desired

1 the claim that they are the oldest is simply not true.

a, The Western Greek manuscripts predate them.

b, the latin translations predated them

2 the claim that they are the most reliable is simply not so

a, there are trunkated sentences all through the Sinaticus and the vaticanus

b, there are trunkated BOOKS in both

c, sentences are repeated in full

d, sentences begin to repeat and then carry on normally

e, entire books are missing from them

f, they were revised until 1200 and 1600 ad respectively, so how can we even BEGIN to say they date to the 4th century?

g, around 900 ad the inks were completely faded in places, and badly faded in others, and they were both basicly rewritten

h, 4 major scribes and 6 minor scribes were responsible for the workd through a period of over 800 years

i, One scribe, in the text itself BLASTED prior scribes for altering the translation... right there in the very manuscript being called the most reliable

The alexandrian manuscripts arose around the end of the lifetime of Origin from Alexandria. They are called Alexandrian because most of them were found in this area of Egypt, where Origin taught philosophies and such. He was big on greek philosophy but also taught christian philosophy, marrying them together.... He wrote over 6000 works and even states that he learned hebrew in order to 'improve' on the manuscripts. Origin was a VERY early universalist, and taught what he called 'monsterous regeneration'. In short saying that all creation including satan himself would be reconsiled to the Lord in the end. He was eventually declared a heretic along with his doctrines being declared heretical.

The alexandrian manuscripts even reflect Origins philosophies on christian doctrine.

It tends to remove reflections of the diety of Christ. For instance "Godhead" becomes "Diety"... this is a MAJOR change because Godhead iomplies a plurality as we see in the trinity, whereas diety is singular.

1 jn 5:7 is removed and even Jerome who was a contemperary of the sinaticus pronounced his judgement against it by saying 1 jn 5:7 was OMITTED from the newer texts... He lived at a time when Origins followers were in leadership positions. He too had a version omitting it, but it seems this was under GREAT protest because his statement that it was OMMITTED (and apparently to Jeromes disgust) appears in the very forward of his translation.

The plan of salvation is removed

a virgin becomes a young woman

over 16,000 words are ommited

In manuscript comparisons with the writings of Origin, its shown that the alexandrian manuscripts match the writings of Origin, whereas the western texts which predate them, and the byzantine texts after them match nearly perfectly

Theres a lot more i could say but i dont want to go on with it too much in one post

In short though let me reiterate that i use the kjv as my base of understanding, because it contains the most complete text. I also study it using the greek and Hebrew, but i also compare the other translations. If i see a conflict i go with the original greek or hebrew and the kjv... if i see no conflict then i try to glean more understanding by how each is translated... 1 word can strike a fire like any one spark on dry grass

I certainly dont judge someone by the translation they use for the most part... there are exceptions like a homosexual version lol

I do caution though to at least own a kjv and study from it along with any other translation to do your own comparitive studies, making sure you receive the complete text

I hope its not an imposition to ask, but where did you learn these things? I'm curious for my own research.

[Drawn]

I like the ESV, and refer to KJV quite frequently. I was raised in a very legalistic church using KJV only. It was only after reading CS Lewis' Mere Christianity and picking up a New American Standard version of the book of Romans did I truly answer the call of God to come to Christ. (I should post my testimony, maybe?) Please don't misunderstand me- I'm not knocking the KJV- I just didn't understand it as a young man, and since I didn't understand it, I had no interest in it. I have been using many different versions (save the paraphrased ones) in my study for many years, and feel that I understand a lot more than I did when I first became a Christian. Does it make me a bad person? No. Would I press just one certain translation to a searching soul? Probably not. I would try to get an NKJV, ESV, or KJV in their hands, simply because of my own experience with these versions. This is just my humble opinion, and I have read everyone's posts here, and truly respect each person's point of view. This has been a GREAT thread, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading it! Thank you all for not turning this into a "painful discussion" as Pokemaughan said- lol!

On a separate thought, but does pertain to this thread- if any of you haven't read The Case for the Real Jesus by Lee Strobel, may I heartily suggest that you pick it up? I'm in the middle of it, and find it quite intriguing regarding the Scriptures. Just a side note, there.

I love you, my siblings!

[Massorite]

With his permission.(Quote)

Mark Staten

I have been keeping up with the postings on this subject off and on all day. When I got home from church this evening I discussed this with Sandy, my blessing from God wife (testimony for another time). She reminded me that she has read and studied from the KJV most of her Christian life which began over 35 yrs. ago, but it wasn't until 12 yrs. ago that she understood what she was reading. When Sandy and I first met she was praying for a teacher, because from the time she was saved in 1973 until 1997 when she saw me in the back of a Christian book store praising God while I was dusting the shelves, no one she asked would teach her. This included her ex-husband who she thought was a man of God until he was caught with another woman and her pastor who would tell her that she didn't need to know the Bible because she was a woman. As we dated I introduced her to other translations to help her to understand what she was reading. I asked her not to stop reading the KJV, but to compare them and to always pray over what she read. After we got married the Holy Spirit had me teach her the awesome power of God and HIS WORD not mans.

I do not have a degree in theology, I am not a professor of the scriptures, and I hold no high office in the church. I do have a love for God that no one can challenge. I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I believe in All gifts of the Spirit, I believe God's Word is infallible and I believe that of all the animals that God created on this earth, mankind is the most ungrateful and the most selfish living creature on this planet. Every time God gives us a gift were not satisfied until we either analyze it, degrade it, experiment on it or we just kill it. I not making light of this subject! I just want to know why when I throw the KJV, NIV, NCV, NASB, ASB or any other version Bible across the room, God doesn't strike me down or make me very sick. How comes when I read about Paul and Silas being beaten and thrown in prison because they spoke the word of God to a fortune teller (Acts16:16-24) and then they started praying and singing praises to God, then all the doors came open and all the shackles came off (Acts16:25-26). After seeing that none of the prisoners had left the jailer asked to be saved, he was and so was his whole household (Acts16:28-32), after reading all of this in any translation, why do I get so FIRED up for the Lord that I go and tell the world about the awesome power of God! Paul and Silas had no KJV, NASB or NIV Bible and no one behind them to tell them what to say or do. They did have the WORD of GOD, it was in them, not in a binder with pages that were transposed by man. I believe that anyone can write a book and call it God's Word, we've all seen the proof of that, but can anyone live up to the Word of God that's in his heart? I know of only one man in history who can say yes and the same creation that was created to worship and praise Him, was to caught up in what the so called authorities were telling them, they ended up missing out on God.

In closing I would like to say that if you do not like a certain food, you don't eat it or recommend it to some else to eat it; if you don't like a certain kind of music, you don't listen to it and you don't tell others to listen to it, so why must any one be hard on people that like a different translation. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you not man. I would never claim that I am more intelligent than the next person, but I do know that Christ is coming back real soon and there are going to many surprises in heaven, one being that the only book being used in Heaven will be " The BOOK Of LIFE"!

Where do you stand with this topic.?

The reason I hold to the KJV Bible only is that I believe the Textus Receptus was the only reliable early manuscripts, and the new translations come from corrupt texts. New translations often leave out portions of scripture or relegate them to footnotes. I am also concerned about how easily acceptance of new translations will lead to intentionally perverted translations, like the TNIV or the New World Translation. Someone new to the faith could easily get a hold of these perverted Bibles and accept them as being God's Word. I have no desire to outlaw new translations or require anyone to read the KJV only, but I will do what I can to turn people away from new translations and towards the KJV Bible.

Butero

I have recieved my edited book from my publisher and as could be expected I have some more work to do. Can I use part of what you have stated about the KJV in my teaser/intro? I to hang with the KJV only because I have found so many changes in other versions that beyond the shadow received of a doubt confounds the proper understanding of what scripture says.

That is fine. You have my permission.

Thank you Sir.