What do you suppose is the big deal about having the more modern versions of the Bible? What is it that seems to have so many folks in an uproar today about weather to use the King James Version, the New International Version, The New King James Version or the Holman Christian Standard Bible? If you were to look at the arguments going around now a days, at first glance you'd ask those questions and say: "What's the big deal?". Actually, that was my first question. So what is the big deal? If the Word of God is made available to us in "Today's" language, fantastic. Right?
To give you a little background, first I need to educate you on some certain facts. These new versions are supposed to be improvements on the wording for better understanding in todays English language. This, from what I understand, was the published intent of the translators. But in doing so it seems that certain omissions and changes took place. After you have had a chance to read this publication, you will see these omissions and changes did more harm than good. With others though it would seem there was a hidden and darker agenda.
Also the newer versions, more so of the NIV and the NKJV, were supposed to have been translated from an older, more reliable text. They never really say too clearly which ones until you dig for the truth. Then you find that the "older and more reliable texts" were in reality the Alexandrian "translations" and not the originals at all.
The translators of these particular versions have made the statement that some of the words in the King James Version were archaic and needed to be updated. To be honest with you, it's not the words that needed to be updated. It is the willingness of the reader to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Or could it be that they had a darker intent? Could it be there is an intent to cloud some issues that really hurt a certain agenda called the Ecumenical Movement. Mark Twain said, "It's not the things in the Bible I don't understand that bother me, but the things I do understand that bother me." Just a little food for thought for you there...
One Wednesday evening before I started writing this paper, I was teaching at prayer meeting on the verses that were paramount to our beliefs. In the congregation there was a dear lady who for years had used a NIV. As I listed and read each verse to the congregation and expounded, I kept noticing a commotion where this lady was sitting. The more I read, the more she looked upset and was asking the lady next to her questions. After the service she cornered me and said: "brother Tim, these aren't in my book". One in particular was Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. This verse is a direct statement made by the Savior Himself about His purpose for being here. After she had showed me the other verses missing, I knew something was rotten in Denmark.
There is a grave danger in these new translations that I never before saw until the above incident occurred. With the changes and meddelings going on in such a heated pace with the Bible versions, the original teaching becomes even harder and harder to find. You have to understand that the Word of God is inspired by God in such a way that we can't settle the true teachings (doctrines) on any one verse. Doctrine or teaching is not found neatly packed up in one place. Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: If meanings are changed and intermingled with other translations and texts, doctrines will become even more confused than they are now. I put it to you this way, If anyway will do, NO WAY will do just as well! How about this one: If it ain't broke, why fix it???
I know what some of you may be thinking here. You may be thinking "here is another one of those on the edge, bible thumping, King James 1611, fundamentalist radicals who is always right and will not listen to anything type guys". The facts are I do realize the the 1611 version is almost unreadable to most folks because of Elizabethan English spelling, that is until the spelling was updated (1762 A.D. and 1769 A.D.), and no I'm not a fundamentalist by name although I do admire their stubborn adherence to the Word of God. And by the way, I do believe that we as Christians need to reason with one another just the same as the Lord God reasons with us. Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Tim Davis is a pastor and police chaplain who has devoted years of study over the subject of Bible versions. He has just opened a discussion board at http://parsonscorner.org/unity/ called The Received Text Message Board. Consider this an open invitation to come there and discuss the matter
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