Kjv

[friendofjesus71]

Thank you all so much. I attended a new place and although there were KJV in the pews, I can give it another try and ask about it to one of the people I met. I have no problem if they use KJV for preaching and in the pews, but I prefer to use something else (Living or NRSV) myself. I find strict adherence to the KJV frightening for some reason.

 

[Vanguard PCD]

I find strict adherence to the KJV frightening for some reason.

You should. It is wrong in several places. Modern translations, which have a greater number of resources thanks to archaeology, as well technological assistance, are far more accurate and reflective of the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. KJV Only-ists will want to burn me at the stake for saying that, but oh well. The truth hurts.

However, to each their own. You can't really go wrong with a KJV, you just might not have the most accurate translation/transliteration is all, depending on the verse/term.

 

[HumbleMan]

Well I tend toward the Armenian understanding of salvation so the reformed wouldn't work. A new baptist church I attended had KJV in the pews. I wonder if that means they're KJV only. The previous church didn't like a different bible even brought in. And the pastor at one pt did a sermon on KJV - citing all the 'missing' passages in the NIV or some other translation.

The church might have KJV pew bibles because they are generally inexpensive. The KJV is not under copyright law (at least here in the US), and many can be picked up for less than 1/5 the price of other, modern translations.

My suggestion is to talk to or email the pastor and just ask what him.

 

[Hentenza]

Hello, I was curious about if all Baptist churches use exclusively the KJV.
Thank you

No. My church uses several translations. I prefer the NASB.

 

[friendofjesus71]

So today I got a response from the pastor about the KJV - he said they have it in the pews and preach from the KJV, but it's fine to use whichever version I would like and to just "be comfortable". He said "we'd never be like 'get out of here' if you use different versions, it's nothing like that".

That was a good answer. I was glad about that.

 

[JB123]

Hi, friendsofjesus71, nice to talk to you.

I don't know which country you live in, but I attend a small Baptist Church here in England, and we use the NIV. I visit other Baptist Churches in the locality from time to time, and many of them use the NIV also.

The KJV has largely fallen out of use in this country in terms of day-to-day use. It is still regarded as a magnificent piece of English literature, and is frequently spoken of in the same breath as Shakespeare as a superb example of the use of the English language, but most churches prefer more modern translations for everyday use.

I was alarmed by one or two earlier posts which suggested that there are some churches (presumably in the USA?) which regard the KJV as the only valid translation! Bearing in mind that the Bible was originally written in Aramaic/Hebrew/Greek, one wonders where such a view comes from. Also, something like 75% of the world's population doesn't speak English anyway, so where do they stand?

My advice would be to read the Bible in whatever version you are comfortable with, and which speaks to you clearly. Its not a bad idea to look at different versions from time to time as well - this often lends freshness to message and helps to give further understanding.

Blessings!

 

[98cwitr]

NSRV and NIV here

 

[Ausbob]

The Baptist church I go to is mostly, though not exclusively, New International Version. The older folk in the church tend to have fond memories of the KJV and do still use it for private devotions, some prefer it but not dogmatic about it being the only version to use. General attitude is one of 'don't really care which version people use as long as they read it'

 

[Jeffwhosoever]

NASB is my preference. I also use NIV, NLT, and KJV bibles. The artistic beauty of the KJV cannot be rivaled, but it is harder to read than modern translations because the English is over 500 years old.

 

[David Waffen]

Hello, I was curious about if all Baptist churches use exclusively the KJV.
Thank you

No, but they should!

 

[Nickybobby]

I was alarmed by one or two earlier posts which suggested that there are some churches (presumably in the USA?) which regard the KJV as the only valid translation! Bearing in mind that the Bible was originally written in Aramaic/Hebrew/Greek, one wonders where such a view comes from. Also, something like 75% of the world's population doesn't speak English anyway, so where do they stand?

There actually are quite a lot of Baptist churches in the USA that profess the KJV to be the only acceptable translation. The comment you make about countries who don't speak english brings to mind my precise argument against this concept.

No, but they should!

I respectfully disagree with you. While I, personally, do have a KJV that I read from time to time and use for side by side comparison, I've yet to see a legitimate case for why that would be true. It reminds me of the resistance by the Catholic church to use modern translations that allowed people to read and understand the Bible for themselves, forcing them to rely on the teachings and interpretations of their priests who understood latin.

 

[Bella Vita]

No we are ESV and NIV. KJV only is pretentious and ridiculous.

 

[Bella Vita]

Well, I ended up deciding to not attend that church any longer before becoming a member. Which was very sad for me and I miss many components of my experience there. But I had a difficult time with the KJ-only, a somewhat stringent pressure to attend all services. I was thinking about becoming a member and was given a copy of by laws. It was at that point I knew I couldn't go further. I have been considering another baptist church.

That is really sad and really legalistic. It drives me crazy because they don't seem to get how many people they drive away because of stuff like this. I do hope you find another church and please do not go by that for all Baptist churches not all are like that. =]

 

[Bella Vita]

I know how you feel.

I'd avoid KJVOnylist churches. If you were to ask me, I'm urge you to find a reformed baptist church that doesn't take legalistic stances on issues, such as which bible version to use. I say reformed because I believe it's the most Biblical. but I'm biased, being a reformed baptist myself

Reformed all the way! I am right there with you on that. =]

Join the movement get reformed!

 

[now faith]

No we are ESV and NIV. KJV only is pretentious and ridiculous.

I would not say ridiculous.

If a group only mandated the E.S.V. would you feel the same way?

Its been my experience that there exist a prejudice against the K.J.

I was told by a Baptist Pastor,that because I use the King James,I would not fit in his Church.
No problem they do not have a Preacher or choir either and serve coffee and snacks during service.

I always respect the Church rules and do not oppose their ways in spite of my personal belief.

My Church teaches from K.J,but they encourage the freedom of choice in Bibles
Their Face Book post are from another version.

I have been called a King Jameser as if I am steeped in legalism.

If a Church has rules we disagree with,just don't go there,but respect there right to
Choose their Bible.

 

[Nickybobby]

I would not say ridiculous.

If a group only mandated the E.S.V. would you feel the same way?

Its been my experience that there exist a prejudice against the K.J.

I was told by a Baptist Pastor,that because I use the King James,I would not fit in his Church.
No problem they do not have a Preacher or choir either and serve coffee and snacks during service.

I always respect the Church rules and do not oppose their ways in spite of my personal belief.

My Church teaches from K.J,but they encourage the freedom of choice in Bibles
Their Face Book post are from another version.

I have been called a King Jameser as if I am steeped in legalism.

If a Church has rules we disagree with,just don't go there,but respect there right to
Choose their Bible.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that they don't have a right to choose which bible they preach/teach from. The concern is the argument made in some Baptist churches that KJV is the only accurate translation of the Bible and all others are erroneous.

 

[now faith]

You should. It is wrong in several places. Modern translations, which have a greater number of resources thanks to archaeology, as well technological assistance, are far more accurate and reflective of the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. KJV Only-ists will want to burn me at the stake for saying that, but oh well. The truth hurts.

However, to each their own. You can't really go wrong with a KJV, you just might not have the most accurate translation/transliteration is all, depending on the verse/term.

No that was the church of Rome who burned Huss at the stake with Wycliffe's
Transcripts at his feet.

 

[Bella Vita]

I would not say ridiculous.

If a group only mandated the E.S.V. would you feel the same way?

Its been my experience that there exist a prejudice against the K.J.

I was told by a Baptist Pastor,that because I use the King James,I would not fit in his Church.
No problem they do not have a Preacher or choir either and serve coffee and snacks during service.

I always respect the Church rules and do not oppose their ways in spite of my personal belief.

My Church teaches from K.J,but they encourage the freedom of choice in Bibles
Their Face Book post are from another version.

I have been called a King Jameser as if I am steeped in legalism.

If a Church has rules we disagree with,just don't go there,but respect there right to
Choose their Bible.

Yes I would I think different translations work for different types of study. And it is wrong and legalistic for a church to mandate any translation as the only right one. I personally use ESV for deep Bible study and the NIV for personal reading. A church has no right to tell me I can't do that and it's wrong.

I could care less if people read the KJV go for it if that is what works for you. But when you go into saying it is the only right Bible and everything else is wrong that is where I have a problem. I can't read the KJV the old english speaking is really hard for me to understand. Telling me I am wrong for not reading something I can't understand is ridiculous. The only thing that matters is people are getting scripture and understanding it to grow closer to God. If it's a Christian Bible with scripture that is all I care about.

 

[New Legacy]

It reminds me of the resistance by the Catholic church to use modern translations that allowed people to read and understand the Bible for themselves, forcing them to rely on the teachings and interpretations of their priests who understood latin.

I am not sure what you mean here? Before the printing press, most people were unable to read, let alone afford hand written bibles. The only people who could have access to these things were educated and knew Latin.

 

[New Legacy]

No that was the church of Rome who burned Huss at the stake with Wycliffe's
Transcripts at his feet.

Wasn't this following his leading an armed revolt against the state to make his faith the state religion?