Bible Version Church Splits

[rlvaughn]

I recently read a thread in which a BB member asked about churches that had split over a Bible version issue. His question was based on hearing folks say that the King James Only issue was/is splitting churches, while he said that he was unaware of any churches that have split for that reason. One commenter mentioned one church of which he was aware that had split because the congregation divided on their views of one version only. I am posting here in the history forum as a place to collect historical information rather than enter into a debate about it.

Suggestions

• Since this is the “Baptist History” forum, I would like to keep the discussion focused on Baptist churches.
• Since the “Baptist History” forum is a “Fellowship Forum” for the discussion of history, I would like to keep the discussion focused on history rather than it becoming just another thread debating Bible versions.
• Since the title of the thread is “Bible Version Church Splits,” the information can be regarding any version in any language at any time or place.

To those ends, please post any personal knowledge, documented information, etc. that you have of any Baptist Church that has split (divided into two or more separate churches) because of the Bible version (or versions) that was used or hoped to be used. It would be good to know how the split came about – for example, the church was using whatever Bible translation, then the pastor/deacon/SS teacher tried to get them to use a different version, and so on.

Thanks.

 

[Salty]

I have been involved in a few splits - but NEVER due to a Bible version

 

[Yeshua1]

I have been involved in a few splits - but NEVER due to a Bible version

I have been in but one church split, and that was due to a new pastor disregarding all prior history and trying to "play God"

 

[rlvaughn]

In The History of the King James Only Controversy within the Independent Baptist Churches: Its Effect and Importance, 1964-2000, Frederick Widdowson wrote, “As a controversy it split churches apart” (2013, p. 9). Yet, so far as I noticed, he did not spend much time documenting local church splits. He mentioned Grace Bible Church (described as an Independent Baptist Church) in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. They had only used the King James Bible – but were not necessarily “KJVO.” The pastor began teaching that there were many good versions, creating unrest among those in the church who were satisfied that the KJV was in some way God’s preserved word. Widdowson, however, does not specifically say that the church split. The implication seems more that some of those who were made to feel “lesser” by the pastor (because of their KJV support) may have just left and went elsewhere. (pp. 90-92).

It seems he primarily writes about how the controversy divided the Fundamentalist movement into two camps (KJVO and pro-modern versions), rather than it dividing local congregations.

 

[rlvaughn]

Interesting. As much as that charge comes up, it would seem more people would be award of Bible-version-related church splits.

 

[rlvaughn]

In the 1830s a Bible version was connected to a split between the Baptists and the followers of Alexander Campbell. However, there were a number of issues, several of which were bigger than the Bible issue.
Alexander Campbell, Kentucky, and King James

 

[Logos1560]

Around 2004, a pastor in Michigan told me that his Baptist church had split over the KJV-only issue. As I recall from what that pastor told me years ago, a Sunday School teacher in his church started teaching a KJV-only view. This teaching of KJV-onlyism was said to be the main factor in the church dividing into two groups.

 

[Yeshua1]

I have been involved in a few splits - but NEVER due to a Bible version

Think that there would be few church splits on this issue, as those in KJVO church would never attend any church not in that !

 

[rlvaughn]

I have been involved in a few splits - but NEVER due to a Bible version

I heard one guy say, “I know of more churches that have split over the color of the carpet than over what Bible to use.” I suspect he is right (at least for Baptists). The suggestion or charge that KJVO is splitting the churches is highly overrated -- not that it never happens. As for local church vs. local church disfellowshipping over Bible versions, many times churches are already separated by some other issue anyway. However, it does happen. I vaguely remember a squabble over the Bible version issue in the Baptist Bible Fellowship, International a few years back. I am not associated with that group, so it was just something I heard about. I did find this online, however. According that that, it was not only the Bible issue, though.

HEARTLAND FRIENDS WITHDRAW FROM BBFI—A group of Baptist Bible Fellowship, Int'l pastors met in Cleveland, Ohio Nov. 13-14 and decided to disengage Heartland Baptist Bible College from its BBFI-approved status and to start a new national fellowship. Dr. Bruce Turner is the moderator and Sam Davison is the college president. Davison cited a drift in direction of the BBFI with regard to issues of ecclesiastical separation, personal separation, music, the King James Version, and the whole philosophy of evangelism and ministry. BBF Tribune editor Mike Randall said, “This action means a four-year controversy within the BBFI has ended.” (12/22 Sword of the Lord) Jerry Falwell, and the KJV, have long been major divisive factors in the cleavage within the BBFI. -- Calvary Contender, January 1, 2001

 

[rsr]

I think you're on the right track.

My suspicion is that KJVO congregations are fairly united on the issue and unlikely to split over it and non-KJVO congregations are pretty much the same. Those who don't like KJVO are more likely just to leave for another church, or vice versa.

I think it is more likely to be a factor in splits in places that don't have many churches of either type. The doctrine might be worth splitting over if there's nowhere else to go if you leave. For example, my community has at least three Baptist churches that use KJV only, so you can find one if you want. (I realize that might not satisfy the most strict KJVOs, but I think it would most.)

And, of course, splits are seldom about just one thing, and the truth is that personalities and not doctrine are a major factor in too many.

 

[rlvaughn]

And, of course, splits are seldom about just one thing, and the truth is that personalities and not doctrine are a major factor in too many.

Quite often doctrinal issues may be worked out if personalities don't get in the way. Once that overtakes the issues, no one will be listening to the other anymore and the lines are drawn.