What does KJVO mean to me:
KJVO doesn't mean to just use the KJV. I use the KJV, and I might add, it is the only translation I use for studying and at church. But that doesn't mean I put faith into the KJVO belief. As robycop3 said, you can use a KJV (even exclusively) without falling into Onlyism.
Here's my KJVO history. As early as I can remember, I was going to church. My brother and I were picked up on a bus ministry out of our local Baptist church. From a very young age, I was taught out of the KJV (excellent, I love the KJV) and taught that it was the only legitimate, inerrant Bible.
As I grew up, I didn't second guess this. In fact, I argued it. Anyone who read out of a MVs were deceived and were reading satans corrupt translations. Jesus ordained the KJV, no one else. It was perfect, and had to be perfect, because if it wasn't- we would have no perfect final authority with which to base our beliefs on!
I said this in another post, and I'll say it again:
Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
In a KJVOs mind, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the KJV only. I believed this, and I'm positive others believe this as well. Without the KJV, it's as if there would be no faith.
I came to a point in my life (while I was a strong KJVO believer) where I refused to accept any doctrine that was not in the Bible. I re-examined all that I believed in. I came across these boards and saw a few KJVO debates. Just like robycop3 said, I could not find scriptural support to back one-version-onlyism.
No amount of proof would have convinced me that KJVO was a lie. There are many KJVOs here that will agree with this. In fact, I wouldn't even have considered any evidence to prove KJVO wrong.
Finally, it all came down to a simple question, "is it scriptural?" When the answer was "no", I dropped it from my faith, but I wasn't ready to just give it up entirely. When I dropped it from my faith, I was able to consider the proof that it was a myth. I hope that makes sense. It does for me, but it's hard to put into words. My faith was blocking me from considering the possibilty that it was false.
KJVOs won't reject KJVO unless they demand that all their faith/beliefs be backed by scripture. Paul wrote to Timothy "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness". Then they must realize that one-version-onlyism is not supported by scripture. If they do this, they drop KJVO from their faith. Then they can begin to consider the facts.
Until they come to a point where they agree that they should not put their faith in scriptureless doctrine, they will not accept any facts- no matter how obvious and definate they may be- because it is part of their faith.
I read and study at home and use my KJV at church. I don't own any modern versions, except for those that I have on my computer. I can still hang on to my KJV without hanging onto the KJVO myth.
KJVO is a doctrine (something that is taught) that has no scripture to support it. No scripture doesn't necessarily mean no truth. It just means that if something is not found in the word of God, we shouldn't take it by faith. If something is not in Gods word, we should take it by facts, not faith.
I think it's important that both sides remember the fruit of the spirit when discussing this issue. It is a heated one that often stirs up emotions, and those emotions can not only hurt others, but it can also hurt your own stand.
Galations 5:22 & 23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
God bless you all.
