I.B.Teens.net
  • Home
    • Why IBTeens?
    • Atomic Friday
    • Prairie Steps
    • Events
  • Teen Page
    • Salvation
    • Study Helps
    • Sermons & Music
  • Parent Page
    • P.
    • L.
    • A.
    • N
  • Ministry Page
    • IBTeen Resources
    • Activity Ideas
    • Other resources for Youth Ministers
  • Blog

Why 'Force' People To Learn Another Language (KJV)?

4/17/2015

12 Comments

 
Before I move on with this article I want to make something clear.  There are certain feelings I have about the whole "King James Only" issue that will not apply to this article, and therefore the reader may wonder where I stand, based not so much on what I say but on what I don't say.  That is fine, but please judge righteously.  Following are a few arguments I will try to avoid in this article, regardless of my feelings on the matter:

1.  The argument that Satan, from the beginning, has had an agenda to twist the very words of God and to challenge them.
2.  The argument that God has promised to preserve His words perfectly, and that the preservation of those words seem unlikely to be present only within a variety of versions that disagree with one another.
3.  The argument that modern versions use corrupted manuscripts whereas the KJV uses only the pure, preserved manuscripts.


As with all my posts, I also don't want to pretend to be any kind of an authority on the subject.  I simply want to express my feelings and engage the minds of my readers to search their feelings on particular subjects.  Lord bless you for taking the time to read this article.  I hope that it brings honor to His name and no dishonor.

I recently posted a link on my Facebook page to an article that taught a quick lesson in Seventeenth century English (the era of Shakespeare), and recommended that people who have a difficult time reading the King James Version of the Bible take time to learn some basic rules that will help them to understand the KJV.  In return, I was asked a very reasonable and honest question from a friend who is not only in favor of the use of modern versions but very much against those who promote the "King James Only" position.  The question was this, "Why force people to learn another language when there are plenty of good translations out there?" 

Now, I don't believe that a certain level of comprehension of the English language is the crux behind the Bible version controversy, but I believe this is a very fair and reasonable question to ask.  Therefore I want to give a few points that lay out my feelings in regards to any answer I might give to this question.

1.  No one is "fluent" in any language
I just read a great article by a teenager that taught himself 20 foreign languages and was considered "fluent" in each of them.  He explained how he learned these languages by listening to music, watching movies, and spending time around people who spoke those languages.  The point of the article, however, was that no one is actually fluent in a language.  I tend to agree.

An engineer, a rocket scientist, a medical doctor, or just about anyone in any field of study could be speaking English to me and I would likely not know many of the words they use.  Therefore, I would argue that any study of the Bible (in any English translation) is most likely going to require someone to learn some new phrases and rules.  When I first started going to church as a 7-year-old little boy, I certainly didn't speak "King James English"...but I picked it up fairly easily.  

2.  An older form of English is not another language.
I will agree that "Old English" is incomprehensible to English speakers today.  For example, here is a copy of Beowulf in Old English
Picture
I would also agree that "Middle English" is a different language.  Here is a sample from the Canterbury Tales from the end of the fourteenth century:"

"Whan that Aprill, with his shoures sooteThe droghte of March hath perced to the rooteAnd bathed every veyne in swich licour,Of which vertu engendred is the flour;Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breethInspired hath in every holt and heethThe tendre croppes, and the yonge sonneHath in the Ram his halfe cours yronne,And smale foweles maken melodye,That slepen al the nyght with open ye(So priketh hem Nature in hir corages);Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimagesAnd palmeres for to seken straunge strondesTo ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes;And specially from every shires endeOf Engelond, to Caunterbury they wende,The hooly blisful martir for to sekeThat hem hath holpen, whan that they were seeke."

We are not just talking about a different font or typeset, this is not even really readable for us today.  However, even if you go back to 1611, when the Authorized King James Bible was first completed, it was written in what we call "early modern English."  Other than a few changes in grammar, spelling, and the definition of some words, the language remains the same.

Example:
Picture
Notice in the example above that an "s" was written like an "f" and the usage of the "v" and the "u" were switched.  Otherwise, it is fairly readable.  Still, changes have been made over the years, and even those who are "King James Only" today still use an updated version of the 1611.  In today's KJV (1769 is the edition that is typically used), some spelling, punctuation, and capitalization changes have been made.  Even these minor changes have been the source of some debate among KJV Bible scholars.  However, the words (never mind the spelling of the words) are still the same.

3.  If you trust that the KJV is God's words, who do you trust to update those words?

A commentary on the Bible is one thing.  That is why a modern "paraphrase Bible" or a "devotional Bible" is not as big of an issue to me as long as it is clear that it is NOT the word of God.  It some cases,  they are slightly more than Hollywood movies depicting Bible stories.  However, I would be very careful not to shape my belief system off of a man's "artistic license." 

However, a word-for-word translation is quite another issue.  If these are claiming to be the very words of God, I would want to be very careful who I trusted concerning the revision of those words.  For hundreds of years, the KJV was basically the only English translation of the Bible available for the common man.  The KJV was used in a mighty way in spreading the gospel, making disciples, and evangelizing the world.  It wasn't until the 1940's that men found it necessary to revise the words, and as a result many would argue that the words have been watered down, it's beauty marred, and it's purity sacrificed.

It is for the above reasons (along with other reasons not spelled out in this article) that I recommend everyone learn a little bit of "King James English" and study a King James Bible.  If you come across words that are confusing, ask your pastor or teacher to explain them.  If they are not sure, they can study and get back to you.  You can even learn how to conduct the same word studies your pastor does through the use of Old dictionaries, Greek and Hebrew lexicons, and by "comparing scripture to scripture (in other words, the Bible interprets itself in most cases)." 

In closing, if I understand right, schools are now teaching Shakespeare's works in modern translations.  I agree, that is a totally different subject, but it is sad to me.  So much is lost in modernizing that which is timeless, whether it is music or literature.  All other arguments aside, teaching people to appreciate the King James Bible is not advocating that they learn a different language in order to understand the Bible (I don't even necessarily advocate learning Latin, Greek, or Hebrew).  If for no other reason, teaching people to appreciate the King James Bible is teaching them to appreciate History and Culture.
12 Comments
Allen Pruitt
4/17/2015 06:50:59 am

Of course I have had a lot of years to learn them, and there really isn't that many words to learn. Reality is that "ye", "thou", etc., does not cloud the understanding, but ads clarity. That being true why kick against learning a dozen or so words?

Reply
rocky
4/17/2015 06:56:34 am

Agreed

Reply
Joyce Crotts
4/17/2015 11:25:37 am

I appreciated this and agree completely with the points you made. I grew up reading and memorizing the KJV. The Bible isn't the only book I've ever read where it helped to have a dictionary nearby. We especially appreciate Daniel Webster's 1828 dictionary as a help in study.

Reply
rocky
4/17/2015 12:42:39 pm

I love to use the Webster's 1828. Even though the kjv was 200 years old, Webster certainly knew the language well.

Reply
Will Kinney link
4/18/2015 01:12:35 pm

Hi brother Rocky. Good article and very sensible. There is a whole lot more going on with the Bible version issue than just "that old fashioned language of the KJB", (which is actually far more accurate with all those "thee"s, "thou"s and "ye"s than the modern generic "you") The problem is that nobody seriously believes that any of these modern versions are God's infallible and complete words and biblical literacy is at an all time low.

I too have written an article about "The Old Fashioned Language" of the King James Bible that you may find helpful.

http://brandplucked.webs.com/archaickjbship.htm

I give several examples of the "bait and switch" tactics used in the modern versions that nobody believes are God's inerrant words. (At least, they got that part right;-)

God bless.

Reply
rocky
4/18/2015 01:39:26 pm

Thanks, Brother. I've read several of your articles, and I appreciate your work.

Reply
Will Kinney link
4/18/2015 04:58:46 pm

Hi Rocky. It's always good to run into other Christians who believe and defend God's perfect Book - the King James Holy Bible. May God be pleased to open the eyes of more of His people to this truth.

God bless.

David Peters
4/28/2015 12:07:37 am

Will, that is a pretty bold assertion to say of everyone who uses a different version than the KJV "... nobody seriously believes that any of these modern versions are God's infallible and complete words". I know a large number of people who would seriously disagree with you. My pastor, who is a great man of God and is preaching the gospel around the world would surely disagree with you. I certainly disagree with you. I absolutely believe that the Bible I hold in my hand is the inerrant, infallible, authoritative and complete Word of God. Perhaps you should do some research before you make such broad categorical statements. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't mean they are wrong. You seem to have an arrogant attitude of superiority and certainly not a loving Christ-like spirit.

Mark Lamb link
4/19/2015 12:46:06 am

Thank you Rocky for your strength to stand. It seems that everywhere around us, our leaders have turned their backs on the belief in a Bible that is Inerrant, Infallible, 100% True Word of God.

I too, like Will Kinney, have written many articles on this subject and take a lot of heat for doing so.

I pray that God will reveal the Truth of his word to his people through the King James Bible.
Amen!

Reply
rocky
4/19/2015 03:04:49 am

Thanks Brother. I've read some of your posts on facebook. Is there a website where you compile all this material? Please share

Reply
The Ministry Mama link
4/21/2015 04:18:22 am

I have been thinking of this article and this topic since you posted it on your Facebook page for several days. From my point of view, I do not understand how the American people who boast of being the most educated people claim they cannot learn or understand the King James Version of the Bible. They learn terms for exams and their specific area of study but claim they cannot understand the Bible and frankly I believe it is because it is a lack of either true study or real conversion. I always tell people the more you read it the more you will understand it. Simple Bible study and a Strong's Concordance can teach newly saved people the Bible terms they may not understand. This is the purpose for discipleship as well as regular church attendance. The Bible says that newborn Christians desire the sincere milk of the Word and I believe that if they have that God-given desire to take in and learn the Word of God then the Holy Spirit will do the work of teaching them as well as bringing them in contact with people who can teach them. People who use this excuse in my estimation are either lazy or ignorant.The Bible promised it would be preserved from generation to generation, there is no reason why each generation cannot read it, understand it, and learn it! And that's my 2 cents! :D

Reply
rocky
4/21/2015 09:15:28 am

Thanks for that. I agree. I know there is more to the KJB debate, but the readability argument falls short.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Bro. Rocky

    Currently serving as the pastor at Iola Baptist Temple in Iola, KS. 

    Husband, father, life-long Bible student, artist, ultra runner wannabe, and outdoor enthusiast.

    Facebook
    Instagram
    Youtube
    Twitter

    Topics

    All
    7 Miracles
    Angels Unawares
    Hot Topics
    "Mighty Kids"
    Miscellaneous
    Youth Activities

    Other sites by Rocky:

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    January 2019
    December 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014

    BaptistTop1000.com - Top Baptist Websites
    BibleTop100.com
    The Fundamental Top 500
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.