Why I use the K.J.V.

Because things that are different, are not the same.

Psalms 12:6-7 “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever.”

Virtually all of the over 150 modern versions are copyrighted.  A new version has to be over 10% different in order to receive a copyright.  What makes a version different?  Well, not only are many of the words changed, some entire verses are left out.  For instance, there are over 200 verses in the N.I.V (New International Version) which have been deleted from the text (i.e. Acts 8:37).  The King James Version of the Bible is not copyrighted. It is considered a public domain publication of the Word of God.

Moreover, a number of the modem versions (based upon the critical text) have used less than precise methods for translation. Some have used a literary device known as “dynamic equivalence”. This is a fancy term that essentially means some translators have taken the liberty to come up with what they think are modern equivalents. Specific words in the manuscript text are changed, rather than precisely translating the specific words of the text. In effect, this is a running commentary on the part of the translators, injecting into the translation what they think a given passage means, rather than rendering a precise translation of what the scriptural writers actually wrote. There is nothing wrong with Bible commentaries, I myself use them. However, to insert personal bias under the guise of translation is not only less than a faithful rendering of the text, it is deceptive.

Many cardinal New Testament doctrines such as the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Deity of Christ, the inspiration of Scripture, and the resurrection of Jesus are routinely diluted in recent translations based upon the critical text.  Here is what God’s Word has to say about altering Scripture:  “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.” (Re 22:19 KJV)   That should give a person a reason to be concerned!

Because of the Godly Heritage of the King James Version.

In viewing the distortions, deletions, corruptions, dilutions, changes and questionable associations of the critical text and its resultant modernist translations, we will stick to the venerable King lames Version of the Bible that our forefathers so faithfully used.  It is an ancient landmark.

Down through the centuries, it has been the Bible used for every major revival to sweep across portions of the English-speaking world. It was the Bible of the Pilgrim forefathers of this nation. And. it has been God blessed wherever it has been used.  It is based upon the ancient text which has been, until just recently, the universally accepted text of the Scriptures from the time of the apostles.

Modern versions have been marketed extensively as being easier to read than, what they claim to be, the archaic, old-fashioned KJV Bible.  However, recent computerized document analysis programs have objectively revealed that the King James Version of the Bible is in far easier to read than the NIV or the NASB.  The Flesch-Kincaid research firm has, through computerized analysis, shown that the KJV vocabulary has fewer syllables per word than the NIV or the NASB.  Furthermore, the KJV has less complex sentences than the NIV or NASB.  In reality, the KJV is easier to read than its modern counterparts in the manner of vocabulary and syntax.

There is undisputed eloquence and beauty in the King James Version. Moreover, the English language was at its zenith in the early 17th century for poetic beauty and eloquence. Interestingly, one of the major criticisms of the King James Version is actually a strength.  People unacquainted with proper English complain about the use of “thee” and “thou”, etc. in the King James text.

However, as anyone who knows linguistics will attest, many languages have at one time had a common level which was spoken on the street and a higher or formal level that was used in reference to royalty and God. The usage of “thee” and “thou” etc. in old English is a form of higher English that no longer is commonly used. It originally was used in formal situations where deference and respect to nobility, royalty, and Deity were appropriate.

Unfortunately, our contemporary American English usage of “you” and “yours” makes no allowance for such deference and brings all of our language back to the lower level.  The King James Version respectfully and appropriately refers to God and other notables as “thee” or “thou” in accordance with their due respect.  Most modern language translations have diluted that deference. Moreover, the King James Version is very meticulous in its wording.

We could go on ad nauseam into the reasons one should choose the KJV over other versions of the Bible.  Suffice to say that I believe the King James Version of the Bible to be the preserved Word of God in the English language.