Decided to go with KJV

Status
Not open for further replies.
moral necessity

moral necessity

Puritan Board Junior
Well, having used the modern literal translations for the past 20 years, I have decided to go back to the KJV. Just bought a 4"x6" compact today.

My decision finally came to a head over several verses in I John. The view of John Gill and some others that much of this refers to the sin of apostasy becomes basically eliminated, because these translations seem to limit the text to "practicing sin", alluding to sinful behavior. The KJV allows for this interpretation too, but it doesn't force it to be the only one available.

To me, the topic in these verses is irrelevant. I'm just uncomfortable that former interpretations of difficult passages now appear unable to be derived from the text when it is read. It makes me hesitant to trust that the same has not occured in other areas of scripture. And so...here I set with my KJV.

Also, I am not trying to draw swords with my brothers here who love the other translations. I'm just sharing my thoughts...

Blessings!
 
Last edited:
As you know, some would argue that using the KJV is a moral necessity! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

I'm attempting to read the KJV through this year in honor of the 400th Anniversary. I have used the NKJV a lot in recent years, but it's possible that I may continue reading the KJV, at least for private reading.
 
Pilgrim said:
As you know, some would argue that using the KJV is a moral necessity! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

I'm attempting to read the KJV through this year in honor of the 400th Anniversary. I have used the NKJV a lot in recent years, but it's possible that I may continue reading the KJV, at least for private reading.
Click to expand...

Oh, come on... read it in public too. Nothing more amusing than seeing people turn up their noses when I read in Sunday School out of the AV :)
 
Amen,a thousand amens to all your comments,long live the KJV,God is faithful who has preserved this wonderful translation-God be praised!
 
I also went back to the KJV, after years of the NIV. My main reason was due to memorizing scripture.
 
I actually started my Bible reading in the Living Bible Paraphrase. I became a Christian reading it. But I quickly picked up the KJV in 1981. I am too emotionally attached to it to move away from it since I started my scripture memorization in the KJV back then. I do have to admit that I read the Old Testament through in the NIV the first time I read the OT. I don't regret having done that. I also have an ESV which I read through but I am just too attached to the KJV for various reasons.
 
toddpedlar said:
Pilgrim said:
As you know, some would argue that using the KJV is a moral necessity! (Sorry, I couldn't resist!)

I'm attempting to read the KJV through this year in honor of the 400th Anniversary. I have used the NKJV a lot in recent years, but it's possible that I may continue reading the KJV, at least for private reading.
Click to expand...

Oh, come on... read it in public too. Nothing more amusing than seeing people turn up their noses when I read in Sunday School out of the AV :)
Click to expand...

That's true! Although I haven't seen too many outward reactions of that sort when I've done that, even in a church where hardly anyone uses the AV and many of the folks have little or no familiarity with it at all.

I have a PCA pastor friend who, while in seminary, was given an old copy of the ASV (1901) that had been owned by a pastor of some note. It has a lot of marginal notes in it that the pastor had written. My friend decided to start preaching from it, but that only lasted a few weeks and ended when the elders asked him to stop!
 
Brother, I applaud your decision to switch to the KJV. I spent my entire life using the NIV, and after going through many modern translations (NIV-ESV-HCSB-NKJV), I finally landed on the KJV. Being 21, I am the only person I know in my age group who uses it. So, I know what it is like to transition, and I have some advise to offer.

Depending on how good you are with English, transitioning from a Bible written in "modern English" to a Bible translated in the 1600's can be a little rough. You will find that in many places, the KJV is actually easier to understand then modern translations. However, there are some sections (especially in the Old Testament) that are quite difficult, and occasionally a weird word pops up. Be sure to look up words that you do not understand. The weird words normally pop up again later in reading, and from my experience, the text comes alive in ways it never has before when I learn a new word! Also, if you don't understand the way something is worded, read it outloud. The KJV was meant to be read outloud. I'm almost at the point where I can read it like a newspaper. Granted, you probably have more reading experience then me, so it might be easier.
 
PuritanCovenanter said:
I actually started my Bible reading in the Living Bible Paraphrase. I became a Christian reading it. But I quickly picked up the KJV in 1981. I am too emotionally attached to it to move away from it since I started my scripture memorization in the KJV back then. I do have to admit that I read the Old Testament through in the NIV the first time I read the OT. I don't regret having done that. I also have an ESV which I read through but I am just too attached to the KJV for various reasons.
Click to expand...

I made frequent use of the Living Bible as well when I first started reading the Bible. This was because a few years earlier I had been given a People's Study Bible in the LB, which has basically the same notes as the Harper Study Bible, from what I understand. The conservative and Bible-believing notes by Harold Lindsell were a good antidote to the other Bible I had to buy for a college class, the higher critical Oxford Annotated Study Bible (RSV.) Lindsell included some Matthew Henry comments in the study notes as well. Except for perhaps at the very beginning, I mainly used the Living Bible as sort of a commentary on passages that I didn't understand in the NASB or KJV. I would do that with the NIV too, but never made much use of either (especially TLB) after about the first year or two. I think the NKJV was the first I read all the way through and I used the NAS a lot too. Until now, I've never read the KJV consistently, although I always had great respect for it and didn't like it when people denigrated it almost as intemperately as the KJVO's denounce those who use anything else.

---------- Post added at 09:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 PM ----------
BibleCyst said:
Brother, I applaud your decision to switch to the KJV. I spent my entire life using the NIV, and after going through many modern translations (NIV-ESV-HCSB-NKJV), I finally landed on the KJV. Being 21, I am the only person I know in my age group who uses it. So, I know what it is like to transition, and I have some advise to offer.

Depending on how good you are with English, transitioning from a Bible written in "modern English" to a Bible translated in the 1600's can be a little rough. You will find that in many places, the KJV is actually easier to understand then modern translations. However, there are some sections (especially in the Old Testament) that are quite difficult, and occasionally a weird word pops up. Be sure to look up words that you do not understand. The weird words normally pop up again later in reading, and from my experience, the text comes alive in ways it never has before when I learn a new word! Also, if you don't understand the way something is worded, read it outloud. The KJV was meant to be read outloud. I'm almost at the point where I can read it like a newspaper. Granted, you probably have more reading experience then me, so it might be easier.
Click to expand...

I concur. The Gospels, Acts, Psalms, Proverbs and other more familiar passages usually read much easier than some in the OT and perhaps certain short portions of some of Paul's epistles. We just read a chapter from Ezekiel and I had to look up words every 2 or 3 sentences. But one way the KJV helps me at times is that I tend to skim the Bible like I'm reading a newspaper, which doesn't lend itself to deep reflection and wrestling with the text. I have little doubt that spending hours on end on the internet has impacted that considerably as well.
 
In addition to reading from the KJV in this 400th year anniversary, be sure to read some of the better books (Cambpell, McGrath, Nicolson, Ryken, and Norton) on the history of the translation AND you MUST see the wonderful documentary KJB: The Book that Changed the World. I have watched it about 8 times and still find it a satisfying experience.

If you want a GREAT deal on a "feels like butta" lambskin KJV, try Hand Size | Local Church Bible Publishers. Pretty amazing for only $65.

If you have money to spare, Bible Design and Binding: R. L. Allan's KJV Long Primer in Atlantic Blue Calfskin.
 
Wise Choice! I fought this for years and would desperately try to use other translations but could not help going back to the old faithful Authorized Version. It is time tested, reverent, and has been a standard for centuries. It's not as hard to understand as some people make out to be. Personally, I think it encourages you to dig a little deeper in your Bible Study. It has been my preferred Bible for personal study for years, although I would preach from different modern translations. Now I have given that up and preach exclusively from the KJV. I know it may be a matter of preference and convictions concerning textual differences, but it is nice to see that I am not alone! :coffee:
 
Last edited:
How great to see so many KJV-users coming out of the closet.
I'll never read any other version!
 
For four hundred years the Lord has blessed it. I use it almost exclusively, although I do have some other versions for reference as well.

It was good enough for Paul, and so it's good enough for me!;)
 
If I were going from NIV or one of those type translations, the KJV would definitely be a step up. However, even after years of reading the KJV, memorizing the KJV, and listening to an excellent teaching pastor explain the obscure language (and looking up some of it myself), I finally succumbed to the NASB and ESV which I use primarily now.

In comparing readability and flow to the modern translations like NASB and ESV, I would agree that the KJV is much easier to read. I just don't find it easier to understand.
 
We've got a family at my church that uses the 1599 Geneva. Even the kids. Now that's hardcore. But I use the KJV too. :)
 
toddpedlar said:
Nothing more amusing than seeing people turn up their noses when I read in Sunday School out of the AV
Click to expand...

That experience rings sadly true for me as well. I don't mind people using other translations. What I mind is the contempt that so many have for the AV that should have an honored place among all English-speaking Christians for the role it has played not only in the Church but in Western society as a whole.
 
I also have changed to the Authorised Version. I had used the NIV in high school and through the first bit of college. At that point, I had switched to the ESV until this past year.

I'll take this as an opportunity to thank Rev. Winzer, Mr. Rafalsky, and those others on the board who have winsomely presented the case for the Authorised Version in past threads. I found these discussions very helpful as I was brought to consider textual and translation issues which I was not previously aware of. I also am very thankful for the witness and work of the Trinitarian Bible Society. I would encourage others to consider membership and prayerful support.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Angelo V.
  • Locked
Why side with the KJV
2 3 4
Replies
96
Views
17K
MW
M
stevenyu
  • Locked
Looking for KJV Parallel with Original Language
Replies
7
Views
5K
elnwood
elnwood
S
  • Locked
KJV Compare to the REST
Replies
28
Views
5K
Stomata leontôn
Stomata leontôn
Neogillist
  • Locked
Question to KJV-only people
Replies
25
Views
7K
Pilgrim
Pilgrim
M
  • Locked
KJV Today
Replies
15
Views
6K
MW
M
Back
Top