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Capital problems in the KJV text?

Discussion in 'Bible Versions & Translations' started by franklinmonroe, Aug 9, 2009.

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  1. franklinmonroe

    franklinmonroe Active Member

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    Is there a theological difference between "God" or "god"? Only The One True God should have His Name or Title capitalized; all references to false 'gods' should be spelt with a lowercase letter --
    But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver,
    and with precious stones, and pleasant things. (Daniel 11:38, KJV)

    Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame,
    who mind earthly things.) (Philipians 3:19, KJV)    ​

    Notice "The" or "the"? If these are proper names of places then all the words of the name should also be capitalized --
    And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens;
    nigh whereunto was the city [of] Lasea. (Acts 27:8, KJV)

    And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns:
    whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. (Acts 28:15, KJV)    ​

    Is it "Holy Spirit" or "holy spirit"? One place the KJV has both words capitalized, but in another place neither is capitalized. In several places the word "holy" is not capitalized but "Spirit" is (see Isaiah 63:10 & 63:11, Ephesians 1:13 & 4:30, 1 Thes. 4:8). I found 89 occurrences of "Holy Ghost" which seems to be always capitalized. Are not all these references to the same Person of the Trinity?
    If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father
    give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13, KJV)

    Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. (Psalm 51:11, KJV)    ​
     
    #1 franklinmonroe, Aug 9, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 9, 2009
  2. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    I also like the way some modern versions (MVs) capatilize pronouns referring to the three members of the Blessed Trinity. If you buy minor changes outside the KJVs make a different doctrine -- then you must accept that the caps in the pronouns make a different theology:tongue3:
     
    #2 Ed Edwards, Aug 9, 2009
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  3. Jerome

    Jerome Well-Known Member
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    Recent versions such as the NASB and NIV break your capitalization "rules" too.
     
    #3 Jerome, Aug 10, 2009
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  4. Logos1560

    Logos1560 Well-Known Member
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    At Acts 27:8, the 1611 edition has "the Fair havens."

    At Acts 27:8, the 1853 American Bible Society KJV edition has "the Fair Havens."

    At Acts 28:15, the 1611 edition has "the three Taverns."

    At Acts 28:15, the 1853 American Bible Society KJV edition has "the Three Taverns."
     
    #4 Logos1560, Aug 10, 2009
  5. Logos1560

    Logos1560 Well-Known Member
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    At Psalm 51:11, the 1853 American Bible Society KJV edition has "thy Holy Spirit."

    This edition also has "Holy Spirit" at Isa. 63:10, 11; Eph. 1:13, 4:30, and 1 Thess. 4:8.
     
    #5 Logos1560, Aug 10, 2009
  6. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    The current rules of English dictate the following in regards to capitalization of religious references:

    Capitalize words referring to a deity used as a proper name: God, Yahweh, etc (also applies to other religiouns: Shiva, Buddha, etc.)
    Capitalize words used as titles: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Redeemer, King, etc).
    Capitalize pronounes when referring to God: God is great; He his great indeed.
    Pronouns referring to Jesus are lowercase: Jesus and his followers. (there is some debate over this).
    Lowercase deity references that are not a proper name: he experiences a god, they worhipped many gods (exception, when referring to a title, such as: they worship the God of Abraham, or Jesus is Lord of all).
    Lowercase informal religious identification: deist, monotheist, christian, buddhist, muslim, etc.
    Uppercase formal religious affiliation: Baptist, Sunni, Orthodox. (note, some words can be both informal and formal, such as jew/Jew, catholic/Catholic, so the capitalization will change accordingly).
    Lowercase adjectives or adverbs: godly, christian, ungodly, unchristian, spiritual, baptistic.
    Capitalize formal adoptions of belief, such as Article of Faith and Practice, Mission Statement, Baptist Disctinctive.

    As always, these rules are ever-changing, always rely on context, and are not set in stone.
     
    #6 Johnv, Aug 10, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 10, 2009
  7. wfdfiremedic

    wfdfiremedic New Member

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    yes, I would state that capitalization of the Holy Spirit reflects one's doctrine. For instance, I think the NWT of the JW's does not capatilize references to the Holy Spirit because they do not hold to the Trinity doctrine. They will classify the Holy Spirit as "God's active force".


    16 However, the eleven disciples went into Gal´i·lee to the mountain where Jesus had arranged for them, 17 and when they saw him they did obeisance, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus approached and spoke to them, saying: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”

    Above, copied from the NWT on Watchtower.org
     
    #7 wfdfiremedic, Aug 10, 2009
  8. franklinmonroe

    franklinmonroe Active Member

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    Thanks, Logos1560. (I knew I could count on you!)

    The Geneva has "god" (with lowercase letter) at Daniel 11:38; Coverdale avoids the problem completely by not using the word in its rendering. Wycliffe also has "god". The Bishop's Bible text has "God" as the KJV.

    While most of the pre-1611 English versions have "God" (with capital) at Philippians 3:19, the Wycliffe version does have "god" (lowercase).
     
    #8 franklinmonroe, Aug 10, 2009
  9. franklinmonroe

    franklinmonroe Active Member

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    Yes, I realize that is probably true. Please feel free to give some examples.

    Conversely, do you know of any good reasons why the capitalization is such in these KJV examples?
     
    #9 franklinmonroe, Aug 10, 2009
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