Bible Versions at Church

Depends. If they switched to the NIV, NASB, KJV, ESV or something along those lines I would be ok with it.

I have some serious questions about the TNIV being and accurate faithful translation. If they switched to that I'd want to have some discussions with my Pastors about it (to see what their reasoning is..see if there are answers to my concerns..etc).

If they switched to the KJV because they'd become KJO..then I'd have some issues with that since I consider that an error. I'd have some long talks with the Pastors about this as well.

So in summary, if I was considering leaving because of a "version change"..I'd want to discuss the issue with my Pastors to make sure I understand what they are thinking and make sure the position I currently hold is correct.

-kman

 

Sure ... if they went back the KJV I would change ... Of course, I am the pastor so I guess I will be here for a while.

Seriously, changing versions is not a good reason to change churches provided it is a faithful translation that is changed to. It is hard to justify changing churches over a doctrine that Scripture knows nothing about.

 

I would not attend another service there, the Authorized Version is the only one God has used in a great way.
Biblically this as far as I know has not been specifically addressed. I want the real thing preached from and learned by my family, the KJV is tried and true it has stood the test of time and as I have said it has been mightly used by God, that is enough for me.

 

I think you would have a hard time convincing the millions of Christians who do not now or possibly have never used the KJV. There were fifteen centuries of church age believers and 150 centuries of OT believers whose Bible was mightily used of God who never heard of the KJV. In addition, a great many believers today see the word of God in other translations mightily used. God is not limited to Elizabethan English. He uses the common languages of the day in mighty ways in many places, both English speaking and not. To limit his "great use" to one particular version whose language is no longer spoken is to cut off millions of people from God's word to them. While the KJV may be your favorite, it most certainly is not the only one that God has used in a mighty way.

 

I would be comfortable with several different versions and would not leave over the issue. BTW, Pastor Larry, I'm wondering what version you use in your church? Did you lead the church to change after you became pastor or had the change already been made? If you lead the change, what difficulties did you encounter?

 

If my church 'changed' from the NIV's that are in racks on the back of the benches, that does not automatically mean I would leave... especially not if we changed to NASB's.

 

I started preaching here on a rotating basis with some other seminary students my final year of MDiv. I asked what version the visiting speakers used and was told that it didn't matter. I was actually told, "I don't know." So I started using the NASB and never changed.

There was not much of an issue. No one ever said anything to me about it. When they called me as pastor, they knew what I was going to use and when I met with the deacons I made it clear that I intended to use the NASB. They were all in agreement with that. There may have been things said but it certainly wasn't to me and wasn't public. The adult SS teacher was already using the NASB.

The only issue was when we bought pew Bibles. Some people wanted KJV pew Bibles. The person buying them didn't care. A deacon approached me because some people approached him. I told him that, with all due respect, the pew Bibles weren't for those people; They were for visitors. Those people were welcoem to bring the KJVs if they wanted to.

There was a former pastor or two (some ten years removed) who were KJVOnly. It has served to keep some of the KJVOnly people away which has been a tremendous blessing in my ministry. I have had people call and ask, or some people that I have run into in the neighborhood have asked. If they have been KJVOnly, they stay away. If for no other reason, that is a good reason to switch. I have never had anyone leave because of it. I have had many comment on how much joy they have gotten out of using a modern version. Their switch has so dramatically improved their spiritual life it is unreal. One lady told me she couldn't believe how easy it was to read ... that she felt guilty for reading the Bible that easily. I assured her that God intended it to be that way.

The doctrine of Scripture is hard enough. We don't need to add difficult language and structure to it to make it harder.

So the bottom line??? It has been an easy switch and the best change I ever made.

 

We have several pastors who rotate in the pulpit. They are all free to use whichever version they wish. The versions currently used are: NKJV, NIV, and NASB. None of the pastors currently use the KJV, but none are barred from using it, either.

 

I wouldn't be able to justify this biblically but it is the written word of God... The KJV 1611 according to our church covenant is the one we use! Anyone wants to argue that they can find another church as this one is not up for debate. Like I've said many times before you brethren can use any version you want in your church but not in my church... Brother Glen

 

No, but if somebody sat in MY pew, well.......

 

swordsman opined:

I would not attend another service there, the Authorized Version is the only one God has used in a great way.

Wrong again.

 

I was thinking the same thing about the NKJV, the NASB, and the ESV.

 

[double post zonked by Ransom]

[ November 27, 2002, 02:09 PM: Message edited by: Ransom ]

 

If your Church switched Bible versions, would you switch Churches?

Only if they switched suddenly from the current (NIV) to the KJV, which would be prima facie evidence that control of the church had been unexpectedly seized by KJVers. (This is about as likely to happen in the near future as Satan skiing to work.)

Would you be able to justify this Biblically?

Well, except for the above example, which would constitute promoting heresy (and becoming a false church), no. It is a thing inconsequential and therefore not sufficient reason to leave a church.

 

Ransom, I should have learned awhile ago not to read your posts right after lunch. My stomach hurts.

 

Since KJV-only rhetoric is laced with claims that the KJV is "the Bible God honours" or that "the Scriptures are preserved for English-speaking people in the KJV," and so forth, they are making theological claims.

Since these theological claims are not to be found in the Scripture, nor can they be deduced from them by plain reason, they are false theological claims. Hence a church that knowingly promotes them is teaching heresy. I would leave, and take as many clear-headed Bible believers with me as I could.

 

I think it has been ephasised over and over again here that no church that bases itself on the KJV will be attacked. We do not attack a firm and unquestioned trust in the KJV, we only attack those who claim any other translation is of the devil or that all churches who use other translations are apostate. If my church switched to the KJV, I would certainly stay for my church is full of Godly men and women and it is where to Lord has brought me. I trust their reasons, authority, and leadership. However, if they began claiming I can read no other translation at home then I would regrettingly have to leave, for I understand the ESV much much better and plan on raising my daughter and future children with it.