Friday, May 13, 2011

Thus Their Language Becameth Antiquated

I honestly can completely appreciate the King James Version of the Bible. It becomes 400 years old this year and that got me to thinking. Some churches and denominations won't use anything but the KJV. This, in my opinion, is a problem.

The problem with using the King James Version in todays context lies in the fact that, although it's beautiful for some to read, it essentially speaks a language that is irrelevant and hard to understand for today's English speakers.

Before the King James Version, and a couple of other versions from Tyndale and Wycliffe came into existence back in the 1400's to 1600's, the church would read the Latin Vulgate to their congregations. Unfortunately not many could understand what was being read, and they couldn't read the Bible themselves.

The sad part is that when churches only use the King James Version of the Bible today they may as well, in many ways, be reading Latin. Most people don't understand most of the stuff that is read to them out of the King James Version. Don't we want them to know what they're hearing and reading?

This is why I would recommend a version that is theologically solid as well as being in the language and pattern we currently use in today's world. Two I would recommend are the English Standard Version (ESV) and the New American Standard Version (NASB). These two translations are doctrinally sound and they are written in a way that most people can understand today. Kind of like how the King James Version was relevant and understandable to the people in England in the 1600's.

And remember God inspired the Scriptures, not a particular translation. Staying true to what God said is of utter importance. Keeping scripture in a particular language that is incomprehensible to people who need to read God's Words is not what God wants for His people. He wants us to read, hear, understand, and do what He says.

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