Romans922
Puritan Board Professor
This may be true of individuals brought up in a church that regularly preaches from the KJV, but I don't believe this is true for the society at large, especially with the public schools they way they are and some individuals being functionally illiterate. The Bible should be a book that anyone should be able to pick up, read, and understand the gospel at a minimum. Once in church, I believe the standard can be changed for what is expected, but there needs to be some considerations for evangelism to the population at large, even if it is just someone picking up God's word on their own.
My congregation is not used to the KJV, and a good amount of them are young or new believers. They are not having issues with the KJV. If there are people who are functionally illiterate, it doesn't matter the translation. But we do have some who are not as well educated and also those who have learning disorders. Since I've ministered with all those translations already cited, I have found no difference whatsoever in understanding KJV from ESV. In evangelism, it is not the Word that needs to change, it is the way to minister with that Word that needs to change. We have new believers who have come to faith under a "KJV ministry", they are not educated more than public school. They have no issue with understanding. So again, I think this often used critique is not in line with what I at least have experienced.