The King James Bible (KJV) and the King James Bible (KJB), and the Authorized Version, is an English translation of the Christian Bible for the Church of England, commissioned in 1604 and published in 1611 by the sponsorship of King James VI and I. The 80 books of the King James Version include 39 books of the Old Testament, an intertestamental section containing 14 books of what Protestants consider the Apocrypha, and 27 books of the New Testament. Noted for its “majesty of style,” the King James Version has been described as one of the most important books in English culture and a driving force in the shaping of the English-speaking world.
THE TRANSLATORS TO THE READER: Preface to the King James Version, 1611
The 1611 KJV translators said in the 1611 Preface that they revised the 16th century English Bible trying to make advancements on the English Bible and that when new manuscripts were discovered, and a better understanding of the Hebrew and Greek happened, they expected that there would be an improved English Bible.
History of the Transmission of the New Testament Text
In the earliest days of the Christian church, after an apostolic letter was sent to a congregation or an individual, or after a gospel was written to meet the needs of a particular reading public, copies would be made in order to extend its influence and to enable others to profit from it as well. It was inevitable that such handwritten copies would contain a greater or lesser number of differences in wording from the original.
The King James Only Movement
The King James Only movement asserts that the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is superior to all other translations of the Bible.
THE TEXTUS RECEPTUS: The Greek Text Behind the King James Version
Are you a member of the King James Version Onlyist (KJVO) Cult or affiliated with it? What are the signs that the KJVOists are a cult? What is the true transmission of the Greek New Testament and the Textus Receptus? Let’s begin by saying the King James Version Onlyist (KJVO) is no different from the Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Mormons. They blindly accept information that is blatantly wrong that it leaves the rational mind bewildered. Some warning signs that the KJVO are a cult-minded group. If you are not willing to objectively read a book or article that counters your narrative, not even able to acknowledge basic truths; then, you are in the KJVOist Cult.
The King James ONLY Movement (KJV Onlyists)
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.
What Do Mormons, Muslims, and King James Version Onlyists Have In Common When It Comes to the Bible?
There is a commonality that exists between these three groups of people when it comes to the Bible. All of them appreciate the Bible in their own way; however, all three have issues with one specific aspect of the Bible. For both the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament there are three periods of... 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?