The Error of KJV-Onlyism

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,778
13,412
113
I read your post on your reply to Poster John146 too fast. My bad. I Just reread it, and I get it now.
What Poster John 146 is saying is that if the right words (that he believes are the true words of God in the KJB) are not in our Bible, then other parts of the Bible are not going to make any sense. We see an example of this in Modern Bibles.

Galatians 3:16 says: “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Now, if we were to look back at one of the Old Testament references for Galatians 3:16, we can see that the King James Bible correctly refers to Abraham’s seed (singular - which is a reference to Christ), and yet the Modern bibles change this reference in Genesis 12:7 with using the word “descendants” instead of the word “seed” (Which destroys the whole point Paul was making in Galatians 3:16). So yes. The changing of words by Modern Bibles does affect the rest of Scripture indeed. That’s why the King James Bible is superior. There is another Messianic reference that Modern Bibles mess up, as well.
Modern Bibles don’t “change” words; that’s a reification fallacy. Bible translators choose words.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,687
3,545
113
this is simply...painful. should a person decide for whatever reason, to put their head in a vise and commence to tighten it, they might possibly believe they understand what that post actually attributes to reason
The word of God is pure and holy and without error. If the KJV has errors, even one error, then it cannot be the word of God. If a modern version has errors, even one error, then it cannot be the word of God. What do you not understand?
 

Jimbone

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2014
2,737
838
113
44
The word of God is pure and holy and without error. If the KJV has errors, even one error, then it cannot be the word of God. If a modern version has errors, even one error, then it cannot be the word of God. What do you not understand?
See this is the danger of painting this kind of view. Who get's to decide what an error is? I've already given an example of something that could have been translated better in the KJV, and to be honest it has a HUGE effect on how people read that passage and even molds their view of eschatology. I've also see a couple other examples in this thread of things some people would consider "in error". Am I saying God's word is "in error", absolutely not, but I am saying that their are things in the KJV that could be more precise, or better translated. Anyway, who get's to decided this? You, me, is it laid out in His word to figure it out? This belief you hold cannot be supported the way you present it, in His word. I see that as a HUGE problem for this system of belief.

I'm sure you have no concern with the problems I have, but holding something so high that cannot be supported by His word is a HUGE red flag in my opinion, and is so clearly you adding to the word of God that it's hard for me to think you can't see that. To be fair I'll ask you where in scripture it is prophesied that there will be some kind of "perfect version" of His word coming. There's nothing even close that I know of, but I'm 100% willing to be shown.
 

Bible_Highlighter

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2023
1,715
300
83
Modern Bibles don’t “change” words; that’s a reification fallacy. Bible translators choose words.
No, saying that one Bible version can modify words from an another translation doesn't exhibit a reification fallacy. This assertion pertains to the observable differences in language between various translations and doesn't involve treating abstract concepts as if they were concrete entities.

The reification fallacy, also known as the fallacy of misplaced concreteness or hypostatization, occurs when an abstract concept is treated as if it were a concrete or tangible thing. In other words, it involves attributing concrete characteristics to something that is abstract.

For example, if someone says, "Justice is blind," they are using the concept of justice in an abstract sense to convey an idea about impartiality. However, if someone were to interpret this statement literally and argue that justice must be an actual blind entity, they would be committing the reification fallacy.

This is not the case when a person says that Modern bibles change words by comparison to the King James Bible.
Some KJB believers hold to the view the King James Bible represents the previous Waldensian Bible that goes all the way back to the original writings and that Modern Versions represent a corrupted line of texts. Somebody or multiple people (whether intentionally or unintentionally) along the way in history made changes to the true line of texts by creating their own version of texts that deviates from the true Bible or it’s line of texts.

Side Note:

Another example: It wouldn't necessarily be a reification fallacy to say that your new written contract (like for your apartment or house HOA) changes words from the old one. The reification fallacy typically involves treating abstract concepts as if they were concrete entities. This is a straightforward and literal statement about a document's content, and it doesn't involve attributing concrete characteristics to an abstract concept..

Please research this more.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,687
3,545
113
See this is the danger of painting this kind of view. Who get's to decide what an error is? I've already given an example of something that could have been translated better in the KJV, and to be honest it has a HUGE effect on how people read that passage and even molds their view of eschatology. I've also see a couple other examples in this thread of things some people would consider "in error". Am I saying God's word is "in error", absolutely not, but I am saying that their are things in the KJV that could be more precise, or better translated. Anyway, who get's to decided this? You, me, is it laid out in His word to figure it out? This belief you hold cannot be supported the way you present it, in His word. I see that as a HUGE problem for this system of belief.

I'm sure you have no concern with the problems I have, but holding something so high that cannot be supported by His word is a HUGE red flag in my opinion, and is so clearly you adding to the word of God that it's hard for me to think you can't see that. To be fair I'll ask you where in scripture it is prophesied that there will be some kind of "perfect version" of His word coming. There's nothing even close that I know of, but I'm 100% willing to be shown.
Let me give you an example. You would have to agree that there is truth (as small as one might think, nonetheless truth) to gather from the following verse, truth to how many the Lord sent out. They both cannot be true. Either one is true and the other false, or neither is true.

KJV
Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

ESV
Luke 10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,687
3,545
113
but holding something so high that cannot be supported by His word is a HUGE red flag in my opinion
Why? If one truly believes they are holding the word of God.

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
 

Bible_Highlighter

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2023
1,715
300
83
See this is the danger of painting this kind of view. Who get's to decide what an error is? I've already given an example of something that could have been translated better in the KJV, and to be honest it has a HUGE effect on how people read that passage and even molds their view of eschatology. I've also see a couple other examples in this thread of things some people would consider "in error". Am I saying God's word is "in error", absolutely not, but I am saying that their are things in the KJV that could be more precise, or better translated. Anyway, who get's to decided this? You, me, is it laid out in His word to figure it out? This belief you hold cannot be supported the way you present it, in His word. I see that as a HUGE problem for this system of belief.

I'm sure you have no concern with the problems I have, but holding something so high that cannot be supported by His word is a HUGE red flag in my opinion, and is so clearly you adding to the word of God that it's hard for me to think you can't see that. To be fair I'll ask you where in scripture it is prophesied that there will be some kind of "perfect version" of His word coming. There's nothing even close that I know of, but I'm 100% willing to be shown.
If you go back to my post here, you will see 25 changes in Modern Bibles by way of comparison to the King James Bible.
These changes are for the worse and not for the better. These are glaring problems that change doctrine and is big thing to swallow (i.e., which would be likeswallowing a camel). We are not talking about what may look like a minor supposed errors in the KJV (straining at gnats), or a word being archaic in the King James Bible. There could be a reason God wants us to slow down and meditate on His Word more by looking up the archaic wording. It does not mean the KJB is inferior.
 

Bible_Highlighter

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2023
1,715
300
83
If you go back to my post here, you will see 25 changes in Modern Bibles by way of comparison to the King James Bible.
These changes are for the worse and not for the better. These are glaring problems that change doctrine and is big thing to swallow (i.e., which would be likeswallowing a camel). We are not talking about what may look like a minor supposed errors in the KJV (straining at gnats), or a word being archaic in the King James Bible. There could be a reason God wants us to slow down and meditate on His Word more by looking up the archaic wording. It does not mean the KJB is inferior.
Corrections in what I said:

1. Meant to say…. are a big thing to swallow and not…. is big thing to swallow.
2. Meant to say (like swallowing a camel) and not… (i.e., which would be likeswallowing a camel).
 

Bible_Highlighter

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2023
1,715
300
83
Why? If one truly believes they are holding the word of God.

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
And this verse is changed in Modern Bibles.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,091
1,755
113
Difference alone does not demonstrate "corruption". As you know, there are different ways to say the same thing without having corrupted the message.

As for your very tired, "They all cannot be the word of God", drop it. It's a flawed assertion... and according to the King James translators themselves, different translations not only "can" but "are" the word of God. Deal with it.
Was that last sentence there something you get from the dedication to the King in the original 1611 Authorized Version? From the KJV itself?
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,091
1,755
113
*Sigh* The verses he shows do not openly declare the words, "Believe only in the KJV as the perfect Word of God."
You're missing the point.
It's more biblically systematic than that.
The main point here by the screencaps of the video that I wanted to show is that:

1. Multiple unspecified nations are being addressed in Isaiah 34.
2. Words within verses in Revelation are tied to words in Isaiah 34.

So this means that when Isaiah 34:16 says we are to seek ye out the Book of the Lord and read it, this would be in context to addressing most likely everybody in the world during the End Times mentioned in Revelation. So this means there is going to be an actual Book of the Lord in the times mentioned in Revelation. Logic dictates that we would have that Book of the Lord today seeing we are drawing ever closer to the time in Revelation.
The interpretation is a bit of a stretch... so the 'logic dictates' is a bit much. And it says nothing at all about the KJV being inspired. That's a ridiculous assertion in the first place, that the translation your church tradition uses, one translation out of several, in one language out of thousands, is inspired, and using verses written in Hebrew and Greek.... not specifically about your favorite translation... are about that translation.

What do you think I am saying here that is so weird?
I did not write the Bible. I am letting speak for itself.
There is going to be a Book of the Lord during the end times in Revelation.
That is what the King James Bible plainly states.
Now, you may argue that the time of Revelation is far off like by 1 million years or something and so there is no proof of the existence of any actual Book of the Lord today. But I don't think you would argue that the End Times is that far off.
You should say Isaiah, not Revelation. The passage from Revelation mentioned the heavens being rolled up like a scroll. But other translations have the same verse....from the original languages. Taking scripture about the word of God as being specifically about the KJV is ridiculous, when the KJV is just translating Hebrew or Greek, not specifically about the KJV translation.

No. There are no original Greek texts of the Book of Revelation that we know of. While the Vaticanus (an Alexandrian text) has the entire Book of Revelation, the Vaticanus is a corruption of the Scriptures. In the pure line of manuscripts (the Antiochian line of texts), what we have are copies of copies of various fragments of it with most likely many of them being imperfect or not in agreement precisely (But the variation of difference is small). If there are fragments of copies of the Book of Revelation that reflect the originals perfectly then they would be entirely inspired. But we really cannot know that seeing sometimes they are merely in fragments or certain pages found in different places throughout time.
Your uncertainty and feelings about it are not a logical argument in favor of your favorite translation of these various manuscripts being inspired. That's a ridiculous conclusion to draw. The only 'merit' to the conclusion is it makes you and people with your concerns feel better. Your epistomological agnst is not a logical argument for the inspiration and exclusivity of the KJV translation.

Any truly pure uncorrupted copy of Scripture (with no errors) is truly and fully inspired.
What was the KJV translated from? Did the translators use textual criticism, or merely rely on the textual criticism of others. Either way, textual criticism is involved.

In Textual Criticism, they have hybrid Bibles with true words of God and with false words mixed in.
The KJV translators relied on a work that resulted from textual criticism.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,091
1,755
113
The Lord wants all his words to be spoken and none diminished. Jeremiah could have taken what God said and toned it down a little, maybe a little less harsh, to make it more acceptable in the people’s ears, but it would not have been acceptable to God. Words are important to God, not just the thought.

Jeremiah 26:
1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the Lord, saying,
2 Thus saith the Lord; Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
This was written in Hebrew. Jeremiah did not write the KJV. This is just a translation of Jeremiah's words that you are reading.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,091
1,755
113
There is no actual Book of the Lord that a person can read in the original languages. Such an animal does not exist that is influential in any way today. Besides, even if there is an original language text, they cannot read it. They would need a translation that updates that so they can understand. It says seek ye out the Book of the Lord and read. So this means you can have an understanding of reading it.
So are you saying there was none available to the KJV onlyists? If textual criticism is evil, and compiling from various manuscript lines is wrong, wouldn't you have to accuse the KJV translators of relying on and engaging in wrong, evil practices?

You are also implying that several scrolls cannot be a 'book'. It is believed the codex, book bound on one end, was invented centuries later, so when you read 'book' you should think of a scroll like Isaiah and his hearers probably did, and this might be an example of a poor translation in the KJV translation of Isaiah. There isn't anything here about a foreign king commissioning the book be released in the language of the Gentiles in the verse in question, or the idea of a completed canon.

Plus, there is no one Greek text, either. Which Greek text? There are many. What do you go with?
Are you arguing against what the KJV translators did, in making a choice of Greek text?

So you have to swim in a sea of confusion. Good luck in finding the Book of the Lord that way. Plus, when you say it is the Book of the Lord, one cannot claim it has errors in it.
Your swimming in the sea of KJV-onlyist confusion, acting like these issues are some sort of evidence for KJV onlyism when its translators had to choose the texts to use for the translation. There is no reason to jump from your worried overanalysis of the issue of manuscript choice to the idea that the KJV is the inspired book, except for the man-made theory of preachers who came along some time after the KJV was translated. Why aren't their writings and theories a part of the actual Bible.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,091
1,755
113
Let me give you an example. You would have to agree that there is truth (as small as one might think, nonetheless truth) to gather from the following verse, truth to how many the Lord sent out. They both cannot be true. Either one is true and the other false, or neither is true.

KJV
Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

ESV
Luke 10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.
I propose we write in KJV English in this thread, or that KJV-onlyists do so.

What difference in meaning be there betwixt 'the Lord appointed other seventy also' and 'the Lord appointed seventy-two others'?

Indeed, thou didst not bold 'others' in thy quote.
 

Niki7

Well-known member
Feb 21, 2023
1,922
710
113
The word of God is pure and holy and without error. If the KJV has errors, even one error, then it cannot be the word of God. If a modern version has errors, even one error, then it cannot be the word of God. What do you not understand?
you have an erroneous understanding of the Bible

we are actually discussing people's beliefs here and not the actual Bible

you do not make the rules and you do not say what is and what is not a Bible

that, is the realm of people who fancy themselves to be at some higher cognitive understanding

that is also erroneous especially if your syntax is lacking while you state modern English is nothing but slang

I would laugh at how silly these beliefs are, but sadly, too many buy into this type of reasoning because it helps them think of how
very special they must be to have something as valuable as the original and actual inspired writings
 

Niki7

Well-known member
Feb 21, 2023
1,922
710
113
KJB Acts 8:9 says ”bewitched”, while the newer versions might go with the word “amazed”, ”astonished”, “astounded”, or “thrilling” which cannot correspond to the word “sorcery”. We can be amazed, astonished, astounded, or thrilled by some other things other than the use of magic or sorcery. The KJB outdated word “bewitched” however, I believe is still accurate among the entries because of its context.

King James Bible
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bewitched

https://biblehub.com/acts/8-9.htm
I am astonished that you nit pick this particular item. I think the word bewitched is still used in Galatians though? well yes it is....3:1

You can look that up and find all translations (or almost all) use that word

NIV uses the word sorcery for Acts 8:9 as do other translations and some use 'practicing magic'

since it about seems most do not actually study scripture and do not hear the truth and nothing but the truth from the pulpit, it is easy for some to make the claims they do about the KJ

I grew up with the KJ, am very familiar with it and think this obsession with the KJ is very unhealthy with ridiculous claims being made as to its merits as great or greater than original manuscripts
 

Sipsey

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2018
1,366
653
113
Has anyone here actually tried to read a copy of an original 1611 KJ Bible? I have an older friend that used to travel the country as an evangelist and he met many preachers. One he found truly inspiring preached from an original 1611 version and he asked if I knew where he could get one. I ordered him a copy and he was amazed. He could not even pronounce many of the spellings. If indeed the argument is that the ”original” KJB is the “True” Bible, why don’t the folks who espouse that the KJB is the only ‘Inspired” version, use a 1611 version?
 

NightTwister

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2023
1,373
463
83
64
Colorado, USA
Has anyone here actually tried to read a copy of an original 1611 KJ Bible? I have an older friend that used to travel the country as an evangelist and he met many preachers. One he found truly inspiring preached from an original 1611 version and he asked if I knew where he could get one. I ordered him a copy and he was amazed. He could not even pronounce many of the spellings. If indeed the argument is that the ”original” KJB is the “True” Bible, why don’t the folks who espouse that the KJB is the only ‘Inspired” version, use a 1611 version?
Because they believe "perfect" wasn't "perfect enough", so it had to be "perfected." Seven times apparently. When you have to ignore the plain meaning of words to support your claims, you're doing it wrong.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
16,687
3,545
113
you have an erroneous understanding of the Bible

we are actually discussing people's beliefs here and not the actual Bible

you do not make the rules and you do not say what is and what is not a Bible

that, is the realm of people who fancy themselves to be at some higher cognitive understanding

that is also erroneous especially if your syntax is lacking while you state modern English is nothing but slang

I would laugh at how silly these beliefs are, but sadly, too many buy into this type of reasoning because it helps them think of how
very special they must be to have something as valuable as the original and actual inspired writings
What I stated is common sense. Versions different in words and truth. IF a version contains a different truth than another, both cannot be the word of God. Either one is the word of God, or neither. That is common sense.
 

Bible_Highlighter

Well-known member
Nov 28, 2023
1,715
300
83
The interpretation is a bit of a stretch... so the 'logic dictates' is a bit much. And it says nothing at all about the KJV being inspired. That's a ridiculous assertion in the first place, that the translation your church tradition uses, one translation out of several, in one language out of thousands, is inspired, and using verses written in Hebrew and Greek.... not specifically about your favorite translation... are about that translation.



You should say Isaiah, not Revelation. The passage from Revelation mentioned the heavens being rolled up like a scroll. But other translations have the same verse....from the original languages. Taking scripture about the word of God as being specifically about the KJV is ridiculous, when the KJV is just translating Hebrew or Greek, not specifically about the KJV translation.



Your uncertainty and feelings about it are not a logical argument in favor of your favorite translation of these various manuscripts being inspired. That's a ridiculous conclusion to draw. The only 'merit' to the conclusion is it makes you and people with your concerns feel better. Your epistomological agnst is not a logical argument for the inspiration and exclusivity of the KJV translation.



What was the KJV translated from? Did the translators use textual criticism, or merely rely on the textual criticism of others. Either way, textual criticism is involved.



The KJV translators relied on a work that resulted from textual criticism.
So you don't think there is a "Book of the Lord" in existence today according to Isaiah 34:16?
The KJB was the Bible that Christians used for hundreds of years and you are saying they were deceived until the Textual Critics like you came along. That is what is silly about your Modernistic unbelieving approach to the Bible. The Germans started the Rationalistic approach to the Bible in the 1700s. It did not hit here in America yet until the 1800s. So your unbiblical approach to the Bible is recent in history.