KJV--Where Do YOU Stand ??

[Palmoni]

   There are NINE Categories of Believers who take a stand on what they think of the KJV!    --- WHICH do YOU fall under??                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   *** Category 1) This Believer holds by faith that the King James Translators were inspired when they made their translation. As such, he holds that the KJV is THE inerrant, inspired Word of God. *** Category 2) This Believer holds by faith that the King James Version is the special product of God, such that it can be said to be exactly what God wants the English-speaking people to have without linguistic or textual studies. The KJV is considered to be THE inspired, inerrant Word of God because of what it says about itself. *** Category 3) This Believer holds by faith that the King James Version is THE Word of God. After considering linguistic, historical, and textual matters this person decides that they are not essential to establishing the Bible, but are almost completely unimportant or are a hindrance to Bible Study. He determines that the KJV is "inspired" & "inerrant" in a practical sense. *** Category 4) This Believer holds by faith the King James Version is the Word of God because of what it says about itself, with the confirmation of linguistic, historical, and textual studies. He may or may not call the KJV "inspired" or "inerrant" depending on whether he is speaking practically or technically. He believes that the current KJV is the result of a correct manuscript (or manuscripts), competent translators, and the general superintendence and blessing of God. *** Category 5) This Believer holds by faith that the King James Version communicates the Word of God because of what it says about itself with the confirmation of linguistic, historical, and textual studies. This person practically calls the KJV the "Word of God" but would NEVER  call it inspired or inerrant because he is convinced that these words should refer only to the process by why God gave His Word originally. *** Category 6) This Believer holds by faith that the King James Version is the Word of God because of what it says about itself, in its linguistical, historical, and textual studies. He is convinced that adjustments need to be made in the Hebrew & Greek texts as well as the English translation. He favours the KJV because it has been the generally faithful standard for many years. *** Category 7) This believer holds that the King James Version can be generally called the Word of God because it is a reasonably faithful translation. This person is convinced that the KJV is based on inferior manuscripts, and that some modern translations are superior to it. *** Category 8 ) This believer holds by faith that the King James Version can only practically be called the Word of God. Through Biblical and textual studies, he is convinced that the whole Byzantine family of manuscripts are generally unworthy to compete with other texual readings. He is willing to use the KJV because it is still so well known, but holds that it IS inferior to many of the newer versions & translations. *** Category 9) This Believer holds by faith that the King James Version is now obsolete. He may or may not have knowledge and confidence in textual criticism. His conclusion is that the KJV obscures the truth and should be replaced by something clearer and more contemporary.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Which Bible do YOU think is the best expression of the Word of God? A Literal word for word translation? Paraphrase? Dynamic Equivelence?   < WHY??>                                            

[Allinall]

I would go with the number 5 category.

[xadian66]

i like the kjv but i dont discredit all the modern ones either i prefer the new king james...the kjv itself was a new translation at one time it was a new translation of the geneva bible so i believe some of the modern ones to be ok..but dont get me wrong i do like the kjv as well..i just think some people blow it out of perportion and focus more on the bible translation debate than they do God..i dont mean u though i mean the kjv onlyist..the bible shouldnt be dividing christians it should be bringing them together..so i say read whatever version u can understand...not trying to debate or offend..like i said i like the kjv...the whole bible translation thing almost made me give up on my faith when i first got saved cause i didnt know which is ok to read but after alot of prayer and comparisons of the translations i chose the nkjv as my main one and use the other versions as needed to help me understand sometimes..sorry my response was so long and maybe a little off track of what u asked. I am new here

[nChrist]

i like the kjv but i dont discredit all the modern ones either i prefer the new king james...the kjv itself was a new translation at one time it was a new translation of the geneva bible so i believe some of the modern ones to be ok..but dont get me wrong i do like the kjv as well..i just think some people blow it out of perportion and focus more on the bible translation debate than they do God..i dont mean u though i mean the kjv onlyist..the bible shouldnt be dividing christians it should be bringing them together..so i say read whatever version u can understand...not trying to debate or offend..like i said i like the kjv...the whole bible translation thing almost made me give up on my faith when i first got saved cause i didnt know which is ok to read but after alot of prayer and comparisons of the translations i chose the nkjv as my main one and use the other versions as needed to help me understand sometimes..sorry my response was so long and maybe a little off track of what u asked. I am new here

I agree with you completely and you're not offending anyone. I've gone back and forth with KJV-onlyists numerous times, and I can understand how negatively that would impact a seeker or a new Christian. It negatively impacts mature Christians when some folks try to bash various translations. The truth of the matter is that the Holy Bible wasn't written in English, but we have numerous excellent English translations. In my opinion, the best Bible for someone is the one they will read and can understand. I've used the KJV most of my life, but I also use the NKJV, NIV, AMP, NASB, ASV, LIT, and others. The most accurate word for word English translation is the NASB. The easiest to read and understand is probably the NIV, and that's why many pastors recommend the NIV. I repeat again that I understand how much trouble and confusion is caused with Bible bashing.

I want to recommend something for you that might help you a lot in Bible Study - a freeware Bible Study program for your computer:

TheWord Bible Study Software - Free Bible Study Software. Multiple Bible Versions (King James, Darby, Greek, King James, Darby, etc), multiple commentaries, multiple dictionaries, Bible Maps, personal notes, easy navigation. TheWord is one of my favorite Bible Study tools. There is a massive public domain and free library of materials to use with it.

e-Sword Home - Free Bible study software for Windows. e-Sword is feature rich and user friendly. Prepare great sermons and awesome Bible studies. Great for Sunday school teachers! e-Sword is my most often used Bible Study program that includes a massive public domain and free number of resources:  Bible Translations, Topical Studies, Commentaries, Dictionaries, ancient language studies, and much more in an easy to use and friendly interface.

Try either one or both. I use both, and there is a massive amount of free materials for either one of them. The NKJV is a newer translation and still requires a royalty payment, so you would have to pay a small fee to get it in either one of the Bible Study packages.

[xadian66]

Thanks..i dont have a computer right now..i do this forum from my phone but whan i get a computer ill check it out...

[Brother Jerry]

Yeah I have been down that road a few times as well.  Something else for people to always consider is the intent of the version or translation.  Some versions were not intended to be word for word type of translations but idea or thought translations.  The Message is an example of one that is an idea translation in that it takes what is said and attempts to interpret what is said, so that the reader gets the idea, the thoughts behind the verses.  You would not want to get into a discussion about the literal translation of the Greek and Hebrew by bring The Message with you.