A little help

[Shortandy]

I was recently approached by a dear lady in my church about the version of the bible I preached from; the NASB by the way. She is KJV only.

In love and with great patience she asked me would I be willing to read some books on the topic and I told her yes.

Before I go and look for some books that are against KJV only I was wondering if any of you guys might have something to offer.

I do not post this to get the debate going....if you are KJV only please refrain from posting. I am only looking for the other side of the argument.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Salty]

Just check some of the other threads in this forum.

I do predict a hard battle for you. For some "I have made up my mind, do not confuse me with the facts"


I suppose I might also ask her that maybe the church should start using "King James" language for all conversation in the church building. :flower:

 

[annsni]

James White's book is an excellent book and one I'd highly recommend.

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=206054

 

[annsni]

Also, realize she's most likely going to give you a book from Ruckman or Riplinger. Do some research on them.

ETA - Here's a good resource for you too: http://www.kjv-only.com/

 

[Marcia]

Ann posted what I was going to post.

Riplinger's book is a joke, to be blunt. She also has no theological training or Bible training.

 

[franklinmonroe]

... Before I go and look for some books that are against KJV only I was wondering if any of you guys might have something to offer. ...

Here is what I have to offer, if I can be so bold as to advise a preacher. First, please pray about this matter. Second, be prepared to give up your right to preach from the version of your choice; you may need to give preference to members of your congregation and preach from the KJV. Of course, this doesn't mean that you can't read the NASB, or study from the NASB. But ultimately you may be required by love to present your sermons from the KJV in order not cause these precious ones from stumbling.

Unfortunately, there is only a very small chance you could convice this lady that any other translation is as good as the KJV. There is a high probability that she may become offended, possibly leave your church, or even cause others to leave. This is no small matter. In my experience I have found no 'magic bullet' which always persuades the 'KJV-exclusivist' to tolerate other versions. The subject is complex and it takes a willingness to discover the truth in order to become devoted to the struggle of finding that truth.

 

[Dr. Bob]

Here is what I have to offer, if I can be so bold as to advise a preacher. First, please pray about this matter. Second, be prepared to give up your right to preach from the version of your choice; you may need to give preference to members of your congregation and preach from the KJV.

I would never misuse the Word into thinking I must give up a translation or modify my preaching "not to offend" or "cause to stumble". That is beyond absurd. My being alive and breathing offends some!! And my calvinism offends others! And my being a Baptist offends more!

Knowing the weaknesses of the text and translation, I would be guilty of high crime against God using an Anglican text rather than the inspired actual words of God.

BTW, if I tried to live NOT to offend, I would be in trouble. Earnestly contending does not mean rolling over for some simpleton or mean-spirited person and pretend it does not matter. Fidelity to the Word DOES matter.

 

[Amy.G]

Knowing the weaknesses of the text and translation, I would be guilty of high crime against God using an Anglican text rather than the inspired actual words of God.

Are you saying the KJV is not the inspired, actual words of God?

It's a "high crime" against God to use the KJV?

 

[Thermodynamics]

"I would be guilty of high crime against God using an Anglican text rather than the inspired actual words of God."

I have to ask, what English version do you preach from Dr. Bob?

 

[franklinmonroe]

I would never misuse the Word into thinking I must give up a translation or modify my preaching "not to offend" or "cause to stumble". That is beyond absurd. ...

I sorry that I do not understand what "never misuse the Word into thinking" means.

I will clarify that I am not suggesting that the use of a particular translation should be avoided to prevent the possibility of offending someone; what I meant was, that in the process of discussing the translation 'issue' some folks become offended. Yes, it is an important matter.

 

[Trotter]

Dr. Bob has stated that he translates each passage himself before he preaches it.

 

[Thermodynamics]

Dr. Bob has stated that he translates each passage himself before he preaches it.

That is an interesting concept. I wonder what those listning to Dr. Bob's translations use to verify that his translation is accurate?

 

[Trotter]

Which ever translation they have in their hands.

While I don't know Greek, I have some great resources to use along these lines. I will navigate my way through the passage beforehand... usually at the very beginning of preparation of the sermon. What I find usually lines up with my bible, more or less. But it is the nuances that you find that make the biggest differences.

I would rather my pastor tread in the Greek, as well as his bible, than to just take someone's word for it. I praise the Lord my pastor does just that.

 

[Thermodynamics]

Which ever translation they have in their hands.

While I don't know Greek, I have some great resources to use along these lines. I will navigate my way through the passage beforehand... usually at the very beginning of preparation of the sermon. What I find usually lines up with my bible, more or less. But it is the nuances that you find that make the biggest differences.

I would rather my pastor tread in the Greek, as well as his bible, than to just take someone's word for it. I praise the Lord my pastor does just that.

There is no doubt that an understanding of the Greek will shine light on any English translation. I guess I just don't have a high level of comfort with the concept of one guy translating a passage at his kitchen table on the Saturday night before a service and suggesting that his translation is better than something done by a team of Greek scholars who have spend months or years cross-checking each other. To me that is something that could lead in a very bad direction.

To be clear I mean no disrespect to Dr. Bob, I know nothing about him or his church, I just don't think I would feel comfortable in a setting like that.

 

[TC]

I recall Dr Bob saying that he uses the ESV and the ASV 1901.

 

[Tater77]

Don't let the KJVO doctrines spread, it probably will tear the Church apart if you leave it unchecked.

 

[annsni]

Here is what I have to offer, if I can be so bold as to advise a preacher. First, please pray about this matter. Second, be prepared to give up your right to preach from the version of your choice; you may need to give preference to members of your congregation and preach from the KJV. Of course, this doesn't mean that you can't read the NASB, or study from the NASB. But ultimately you may be required by love to present your sermons from the KJV in order not cause these precious ones from stumbling.

The Gospel will offend. The Word of God will offend. Does that mean that we stop preaching the Word of God and the Gospel? By no means. If someone is offended by the use of another version of Scripture, then it is fine to discuss with her and if she is not satisfied, then it would be good to suggest another church to her where she can be fed with her own version. The "offend" card would be played a bit too much if we were to fold for each time someone was offended. My pastor spoke against alcohol the other week and a man got up, yelled something and walked out. Should he have not spoken about alcohol as to not offend? How about speaking of sin? You'll absolutely offend someone when you speak of sin - should you not preach on sin?

 

[Jim1999]

Anyone who has preached for any length of time develops his own translation regardless of the version sitting in front of him. I have used the KJV for study and preaching all my life. This does not say I don't compare other versions and most often I quote my own understanding of the various verses.

I fully understand what Dr. Bob is saying, and so will every preacher worth his salt.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Logos1560]

Before I go and look for some books that are against KJV only I was wondering if any of you guys might have something to offer.

One thing that might be helpful would be to obtain one of the available reprint editions of one of the pre-1611 English Bibles of which the KJV was a revision such as Tyndale's, Matthew's Bible, or the Geneva Bible. Thus, you can show examples of the same-type variations between them and the KJV as are found between the KJV and later English translations.

 

[DHK]

There is no doubt that an understanding of the Greek will shine light on any English translation. I guess I just don't have a high level of comfort with the concept of one guy translating a passage at his kitchen table on the Saturday night before a service and suggesting that his translation is better than something done by a team of Greek scholars who have spend months or years cross-checking each other. To me that is something that could lead in a very bad direction.

To be clear I mean no disrespect to Dr. Bob, I know nothing about him or his church, I just don't think I would feel comfortable in a setting like that.

When you have gone through the process that Dr. Bob has gone through you can be sure that you have put a great number of hours in preparation for your message, more than the average preacher does. Why then would you not feel comfortable. The more study a person puts into his message, the more prepared he is to deliver that message in the power of God. The Holy Spirit speaks through His Word. A person simply relying on the KJV without anything to compare what the KJV translators actually said, is sure to be lacking in their preaching.
"Quit you like men."