Bible Translations

Is there life after the King James Version?

by Dennis Pollock

Bible

You wouldn't think that a Christian ministry would get much hate mail. Oh, perhaps a nasty note now and then from some disgruntled agnostic, but certainly nothing more than that. Yet amazingly, most of our "hate mail" comes not from atheists or skeptics, but from professing Christians. And one of the surest ways to receive a new barrage of such mail is to dare to suggest that there is life after the King James Version.

We have had a pastor tell us that he would be encouraging his entire congregation not to listen to our radio program, because of our failure to promote a "King James Only" doctrine. While not everyone who disagrees with us is so virulent, a great many people have very strong convictions that the only Bible that is truly the Bible is the King James Version.

It is not my intention to debunk the KJV. This version is beautifully written and has been a blessing to millions. But it would be counterproductive to suggest that it is the only Bible for us to read, and thus deprive multitudes of the opportunity to read the Bible in language that they can understand.

Problems with "King James Only"

Here are a few reasons I do not hold to a "KJV Only" theory:

The King James Version is an English translation, obviously. To suggest that it is the only inspired translation of the original languages is ludicrous. What about all the other languages of the world? Has God decided to favor the English speaking people with an inspired translation, while everyone else has to "make do?" Must the Spanish, the French, the Portuguese, the Russians, etc. look on enviously with their makeshift versions while we read our inspired King James Version?

The idea that there is only one inspired translation was one that the King James translators themselves had to argue against as they were translating the 1611 edition. At that time Roman Catholic scholars argued vehemently that there was only one translation of the original languages of the Scripture that was trustworthy, and that was the Latin Vulgate (vulgate means common language or the language of the people). This version, they claimed, was a perfect translation, and was "truer than the vulgar Greek text itself." The King James translators argued against this view that there was only one perfect translation. They declared that all translations were imperfect and would need alterations and revisions as time and scholarship revealed the flaws and blemishes that would certainly be present in any translation.

The King James Version, has, in fact been revised many times already. If you had a 1611 version in your possession you would easily see all types of differences between that and the KJV that is sold in today's bookstores.

The King James Version was written in the language of the people of that time. Today, King James English is most decidedly not "the language of the people." The Gospel is far too important to risk turning readers off with Elizabethan English before they have a chance to learn for themselves that "God has made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." It is far better to read a modern "vulgar" translation (one in commonly used language) and understand it, than to read the traditional one and have no clue as to what it means. Yes, God does reveal truth to us by His Spirit, but He generally seems to do this in our own language. God might choose to save a Russian-speaking young man by miraculously causing him to understand an English-speaking preacher, but don't count on it. Far better for a missionary to learn Russian.

Recommendations

There are so many different translations of the Scriptures available today, it is difficult to keep track of them all. My personal reading experience has largely been with four basic versions: The King James, the New International, The New American Standard and the New King James. For the last ten years or so, I have read primarily from the New King James Version. For what it is worth, here are a few thoughts on several of the popular versions.

King James Version: This version, while possessing a few glaring errors and words that require explanation, is relatively accurate. The outdated language and use of words that today's generation never use, makes this of value primarily to older Christians, and those who have been brought up on this version. This version has fed God's people for several hundred years, and I have great respect for it. Nevertheless, I would never give it to a new Christian, or to someone who is not a good reader. Spiritual things are difficult enough to understand without the added burden of language difficulties.

New International Version: This is a very popular translation and is perhaps the most readable one available today. It is not exactly a paraphrase, but it is not a word for word rendering either. It is somewhere in-between. For a new Christian or for someone who does not have good reading skills this is ideal. It is probably not the best study Bible, but is excellent for devotional and general reading.

New American Standard Version: This is perhaps the most accurate version available today. The translators strove for accuracy above all else, and in large measure achieved it. The only problem is that the emphasis on word for word accuracy takes its toll of the version's readability. This would be a great study Bible, but not for someone who has difficulty reading.

New King James Version: Like the New American Standard Version, this version is highly accurate and faithful to the Greek texts. To my way of thinking it is slightly more readable than the NASV. This version is taken from the same original texts that were used in the KJV translation. It has puzzled me why the "KJV Only" advocates are just as hostile to this version as the others, which come from a different collection of texts. While not quite as easy to understand as the NIV, this version is a pretty good combination of both accuracy and readability.

Living Bible: The Living Bible has been phenomenally popular in the past, but seems to be losing ground as more and more paraphrased translations are available. This is a pure paraphrase, and is mostly useful as a commentary, rather than as a Bible. Certainly it would have no value at all as a study Bible. This version is primarily the work of one man, Kenneth Taylor, and sometimes contains his own views smuggled into the verses. I would far rather give a new Christian an NIV than a Living Bible.

Reasons to Read

With all this talk about different versions of the Bible, it is important to establish the reasons we must read it. You might have a version translated by the angel Gabriel himself, but if it sits dusty on your coffee table or in the drawer of your nightstand, you have gained nothing. It is clear that the Bible that will do you the most good is one that you actually read, and read faithfully. A poor version, well read, is of far more value than a fantastic translation never touched.

I believe that the greatest value to the reading of God's holy Word is that it is a vital aspect of that mysterious concept that Jesus called "abiding." Our Lord seemed to place a great premium on this business of abiding. In John 15 He commands us to abide in Him, and assures us of two things. First, if we don't abide in Him we shall be barren — we shall bear no fruit and accomplish no good in this life. Secondly, He promises us that if we do abide in Him we shall bear much fruit, and be in such a position that whatever we ask shall be done for us (John 15:7). Apparently this abiding carries a lot of weight in the eyes of God!

I am convinced that one of the most important aspects of abiding has to do with the worshipful reading and meditating upon the word of God. Through the Scriptures, God has made a way for us to drink deeply of His thoughts and truths until they become "bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh." We read the Bible not to be "nice little Christians," nor merely to gain knowledge, but that we might know God, and be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). We read God's Word, not as the professional critic, dissecting and analyzing every phrase and sentence construction. We read these "God-breathed" writings as adoring children, eager to know our God better, enjoying the sweetness of His Holy Spirit as He leads us in the paths of truth.

Other Versions to Consider

The New Testament in Modern English: by J. B. Phillips was the first of the masterful paraphrases to appear in the 20th Century. Phillips began working on this version during World War II when he noticed that his teenage Bible students were turned off by the King James Version. Phillips' version of the complete New Testament was published in 1958. Macmillan Publishing Co. put out a new printing in 1996.

Complete Jewish Bible: by David H. Stern. This is an absolutely fascinating translation of the Bible by a Messianic Jew who lives in Jerusalem. His version of the New Testament was published in 1989 and was published under the title, Jewish New Testament. It was motivated by a desire to overcome the Jewish concept that the New Testament is "a Gentile book." He restored the Jewish terms and names that are contained in the original text. The version proved so popular that he then proceeded to translate the Hebrew Scriptures as well. Here's an example of how his translation reads (Luke 1:26-28):

"In the sixth month, the angel Gavri'el was sent by God to a city in the Galil called Natzeret, to a virgin engaged to a man named Yosef, of the house of David; the virgin's name was Miryam. Approaching her, the angel said, "Shalom, favored lady! Adonai is with you!"

The Narrated Bible: by F. LaGard Smith (Harvest House, 1984). A fascinating and enlightening rearrangement of the biblical text (NIV) in chronological order. In a regular Bible, the laws of Moses are scattered throughout several books in the Old Testament. In this version they have been brought together in one unified legal code arranged by subject. Wisdom literature, as in the book of Proverbs, is presented topically, and the Psalms are arranged according to their various sentiments. The Prophets come to life when seen in their proper historical, geographical and cultural contexts. In the New Testament, the four Gospels are gathered into one harmonized account. Paul's epistles are integrated and presented within the historical record of Acts.

The Message New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs: by Eugene H. Peterson (NavPress, 1995). A breezy, imaginative and artistic paraphrase that will keep your attention and will provoke you to re-evaluate some of your pre-conceived notions about well known biblical stories and passages. For recreational reading and not serious Bible study.