The King James Only movement asserts that the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is superior to all other translations of the Bible. Adherents of the King James Only movement believe that the KJV is the greatest English translation ever produced, needing no further improvements, and they also believe that all other English translations which were produced after the KJV are corrupt. Is this true?
PREPARING THE WAY: Ancient Versions and the English Bibles before the 1611 King James Version
THERE are three great Book-religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Other religions have their sacred writings, but they do not hold them in the same regard as do these three. Buddhism and Confucianism count their books rather records of their faith than rules for it, history rather than authoritative sources of belief. The three great Book-religions yield a measure of authority to their sacred books which would be utterly foreign to the thought of other faiths.
1611 Preface to the King James Version
Below is the original essay prefixed to the King James Version in the edition of 1611, in which the translators defend their version against criticisms they expected to be brought against it.
A Brief History of the King James Version
THE DEMAND When James I. came to the throne of England he found the Established Church in a sadly divided state. There were Conformists, who were satisfied with things as then found, and were willing to conform to existing usages; and there were Puritans, who longed for a better state of things, and were determined... Continue Reading →
Light to Better Understanding the Bible
Amazing discoveries have brought to light the better-understood Bible. How can you discover this Bible for yourself?
KING JAMES VERSION: Read the Bible to Understand It
Above All Acquire Wisdom Proverbs 4:7 Updated American Standard Version (UASV) 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Acquire wisdom, and with all you acquire, acquire understanding. The beginning of wisdom is this: Acquire wisdom: Here the Hebrew has two detached phrases that are literally “the first thing of wisdom” and “get wisdom.” Here King David... Continue Reading →
Do You Really Know the King James Version?
“Willful blindness (sometimes called ignorance of law, willful ignorance or contrived ignorance or Nelsonian knowledge) is a term used in law to describe a situation in which a person seeks to avoid civil or criminal liability for a wrongful act by intentionally keeping himself or herself unaware of facts that would render him or her... Continue Reading →
How Did the King James Version Become Popular?
2011 was the year of the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible, otherwise known as the Authorized Version. The English-speaking world was in full celebration. There were television and radio specials, documentaries, as well as conferences, lectures, and seminars. King James I of England produced the translation that is noted for its “majesty of style,” and has been labeled as one of the most important books in the English history and a driving force that shaped the English-speaking world.
THE KING JAMES BIBLE: Do You Know the King James Version?
The King James Bible was originally published in 1611. Some have estimated that the number of copies of the King James Version that have been produced in print worldwide is over one billion! There is little doubt that the King James Version is a literary masterpiece, which this author has and will appreciate and value... Continue Reading →