Comments on: Why I Hate the KJV

By: Henry Neufeld

Henry Neufeld — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:09:41 +0000

My intention was to state that in my view, the KJV is the most important accomplishment in English Bible translation, but that I could understand how that could be debated.

In this context, I use “important” as a combination of both influence, and the value of that influence, i.e. how much it impacted the future of English Bible translation.

I believe that the KJV is the most important, because though it relied heavily on Tyndale, much of Tyndale’s influence occurred only because it was mediated through the KJV. Further, with the “Translators to the Reader” preface, the translators expressed principles of translation that are echoed through most discussions of Bible translations today.

Were I to take the other side, and challenge my own view, I would suggest that Tyndale is the more important element, because it laid a groundwork without which the KJV would likely either have been impossible or would not have been nearly as good as it was.

With less justification, I might suggest the RSV, because it opened the floodgates to the plethora of modern translations. I think it’s possible that in a few more decades we will regard the publication of the RSV as the more important moment.

Nonetheless, my own position is that the KJV was the single most important Bible translation because of the extent and the positive nature of much of its influence. I do not blame the translators for misguided supporters who try to make the KJV into something it wasn’t.

By: Iyov

Iyov — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 03:54:17 +0000

It is, perhaps, the single most important accomplishment of English Bible translation, though that would be debatable.

OK, I’ll bite. What is the debatable point here? Excepting Tyndale (the genius who the KJV largely borrows from) what version other than the KJV would be in the running for the award of the most important accomplishment in English Bible translation? Along the way, please give your definition of “important”.

If you maintain that “important” in this context means “influential”, I certainly look forward to learning what English translation you consider to have had greater influence than the KJV.

By: Ruud Vermeij

Ruud Vermeij — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 09:58:20 +0000

The teaching that the KJV is the one, true word of God is plain wrong. It is evident that the one, true word of God is the Dutch “Statenvertaling”. All English people should learn Dutch!

By: Rainbow Nation: A week in South Africa, day 1 « Lingamish

Rainbow Nation: A week in South Africa, day 1 « Lingamish — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:42:47 +0000

[...] By the way, Henry Nuefeld has a nice little rant on KJV here: Why I Hate the KJV. [...]

By: Henry Neufeld

Henry Neufeld — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:03:27 +0000

Thanks to both of you for instances of positive influence and use of the KJV. That is why I try to make sure it is understood that the doctrine I opposed is KJV-Only, not the KJV itself nor those who like it.

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:27:43 +0000

I was brought up on the NRSV, and I could never understand all those people talking about the “majesty” of the Bible, until I ran into a KJV. I must admit that it’s my go-to bible if I want to memorize something, because it’s got a lovely thumpy rhythym and sense of drama to it that I think a lot of the modern translations are totally lacking in.

On the other hand, I also majored in medieval studies in college and think that the KJV is more useful as a historical reference work than a religious one.

By: Geocreationist

Geocreationist — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 20:17:15 +0000

Your post reminds me of my brother. I could never get him to discuss scripture with me. I had my ideas about God and he had his. I tried to show him the scriptures where I get my ideas from, but he would just never listen. Then, one day, he told he had bought an “Old King James Bible”, as he called it. He bought it because he didn’t want man’s imperfections getting in his way of relating to God. I shook my head, but kept silent because at least now he was reading the bible… any translation at this point was better than nothing. And then, God met my brother where he was at.

My brother started telling me about God and Jesus, and what he said was right on. I couldn’t believe it. He was reading this old translation, and he “got” it. Sin, redemption, resurrection, the whole 9 yards.

Well, my brother died a year ago, and I have no doubt he went home to be with our Lord. Personally, my view of the KJV is similar to yours, though not as researched. And yet, I saw God use it to bring my brother to a saving faith that I could never lead him to.

God uses all things.