PLAIN REASONS FOR KEEPING TO THE AUTHORISED VERSION

Why should we keep to the Authorised (King James) Version of the Bible in preference to the many modern versions now available? The question is often asked, and here are some of the answers, from the Trinitarian Bible Society.

1. The Authorised Version is based on a better 'text'. By 'text' is meant the Hebrew and Greek wording of the Bible, from which translations are made into English and other languages. A good text is one that can be trusted as a faithful copy of the words which God originally inspired. The text of the Hebrew Old Testament and the Greek New Testament is available in printed editions, which are in turn based on handwritten copies known as 'manuscripts'.

The Hebrew and Greek editions which were used by the Authorised Version translators were based on only a few manuscripts. In the centuries which have passed since 1611, when the Authorised Version was published, several thousands of manuscripts have been discovered which were not used by the early translators. The majority of such manuscripts have been proved to be substantially in agreement with the Authorised Version, and the general reliability of the text used for this version has been confirmed.

Should We Trust The New International Version?

Also published in paperback and titled: "The Great News"

Reviewed by E. L. Bynum

"The New International Version" of the New Testament is now widely being heralded as a reliable and trustworthy version by evangelicals. (We shall hereafter refer to this version as NIV and the "King James Version" by KJV). We do not agree that it is trustworthy and reliable. In some respects is it better than the Revised Standard Version, the New English Bible, Good News for Modern Man and the Living Bible. But in the end it may be more dangerous than any of these because "a little leaven leveneth the whole lump" (1 Cor. 5:6). Many who would not accept the RSV and others may be led into accepting NIV which is contaminated with the same kind of leaven as the others. We will set forth our reasons for not trusting this version and let our readers make up their own mind.

NIV Omits Too Much Of The Bible!

The omission of one word or one letter is too much, but NIV goes much further than this and omits many complete verses. Please note some of these examples.

KJV Matt. 17:21, "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." NIV omits this verse from the text and places it in small print at the bottom of the page. The footnote says, "Some MSS add verse 21." (MSS is the abbreviation for manuscripts.).

KJV Matt. 18:11, "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." NIV omits this verse from the text and places it in the footnote and says, "Some MSS add verse 11."