TheAudacityOfKingJames (Part I)

Armenian Folia Anglistika, 2020

The present article aims to investigate the historical and religious circumstances which incited King James to initiate and start the translation of the Holy Script anew though two other versions of the Bible in English were already there. The stormy period England and the English Church were going through in mid-XVI century and the succession of Prince James VI of Scotland to throne (who became King James I of England) and his unfavorable attitude towards Protestantism made him conceive the idea of the necessity of creating a new English version of the Bible which will provide appropriate influence on the Church and keep it away from Calvinist views and ideas. Through the employment of the descriptive method, the author on the other hand tries to analyse the most prominent events and activities which preconditioned the creation of the new English version of the Bible, known as the King James Bible, which has long proved to be the best translation of the Bible in English.

By Whose Authority: An Evaluation of the Authority Behind the Versions of the King James Bible, 2021

The opinion of this writer is that those who teach versions of KJV-Onlyism have gone far beyond simply teaching that it the best translation, or the most favored translation: The position that I was taught. The KJV was also the version most often used in the Churches I pastored. I have been preaching for over 64-years. I preached as late as 2018 from a pulpit in a Church I had pastored for over 44-years. I used a King James version of the Bible. In fact, every revival that I have preached, or on every other type of occasion in which I spoke, I used a King James version of the Bible, including an opportunity to preach in a cave in the Piedmont Mountains, as well as, the plains of South France, and in open-air missions of Kerala, India. I began preaching at the age of 19 and am now 86-years old. If the Lord wills, then I shall continue to preach on every occasion afforded to me until my death. Why do I now write this book? I write this book, because many brethren are accused, and even denied fellowship for their unwillingness to condemn translations other than the KJV as heretical. Word-for-Word translations like the (NASB) the New American Standard Bible, the King James Version (KJV), the English Standard Version (ESV), and the New English Translation (NET) are the most useful, and reliable English versions for historical, grammatical, lexical analysis. Thought

2010

The movement that enshrined the King James Bible, also known as the Authorized Version, as not only the best possible Bible version available but actually given by inspiration of God began with the writings of a Florida pastor named Peter S. Ruckman in or around 1964. The movement grew to encompass a significant minority of Baptist congregations in the United States and a small number abroad. The movement undermines traditional fundamentalism by injecting the God of the Bible into the history of Bible translation rather than just having an influence on the original autographs of the Bible writers. It is a rejection of the unique authority and inspiration of the original autographs of the books of the Bible.

1611 King James Bible Great and manifold were the blessings (most dread Soveraigne) which Almighty GOD, the Father of all Mercies, bestowed upon us the people of ENGLAND, when first he sent your Majesties Royall person to rule and raigne over us. For whereas it was the expectation of many, who wished not well unto our ZION, that upon the setting of that bright Occidentall Starre Queene ELIZABETH of most happy memory, some thicke and palpable cloudes of darkenesse would so have overshadowed this land, that men should have bene in doubt which way they were to walke, and that it should hardly be knowen, who was to direct the unsetled State: the appearance of your MAJESTIE, as of the Sunne in his strength, instantly dispelled those supposed and surmised mists, and gave unto all that were well affected, exceeding cause of comfort; especially when we beheld the government established in your HIGHNESSE, and your hopefull Seed, by an undoubted Title, and this also accompanied with Peace and tranquillitie, at home and abroad. But amongst all our Joyes, there was no one that more filled our hearts, then the blessed continuance of the Preaching of GODS sacred word amongst us, which is that inestimable treasure, which excelleth all the riches of the earth, because the fruit thereof extendeth it selfe, not onely to the time spent in this transitory world, but directeth and disposeth men unto that Eternall happinesse which is above in Heaven. Then, not to suffer this to fall to the ground, but rather to take it up, and to continue it in that state, wherein the famous predecessour of your HIGHNESSE did leave it; Nay, to goe forward with the confidence and resolution of a man in maintaining the trueth of CHRIST, and propagating it farre and neere, is that which hath so bound and firmely knit the hearts of all your MAJESTIES loyall and Religious people unto you, that your very Name is precious among them, their eye doeth behold you with comfort, and they blesse you in their hearts, as that sanctified person, who under GOD, is the immediate authour of their true happinesse. And this their contentment doeth not diminish or decay, but every day increaseth and taketh strength, when they observe that the zeale of your Majestie towards the house of GOD, doth not slacke or goe backward, but is more and more kindled, manifesting it selfe abroad in the furthest parts of Christendome, by writing in defence of the Trueth, (which hath given such a blow unto that man of Sinne, as will not be healed) and every day at home, by Religious and learned discourse, by frequenting the house of GOD, by hearing the word preached, by cherishing the teachers therof, by caring for the Church as a most tender and loving nourcing Father. There are infinite arguments of this right Christian and Religious affection in your MAJESTIE: but none is more forcible to declare it to others, then the vehement and perpetuated desire of the accomplishing and publishing of this Worke, which now with all humilitie we present unto your MAJESTIE. For when your Highnesse had once out of deepe judgment apprehended, how convenient it was, That out of the Originall sacred tongues, together with comparing of the labours, both in our owne and other forreigne Languages, of many worthy men who went before us, there should be one more exact Translation of the holy Scriptures into the English tongue; your MAJESTIE did never desist, to urge and to excite those to whom it was commended, that the worke might be hastened, and that the businesse might be expedited in so decent a maner, as a matter of such importance might justly require.

Jewish Review of Books, 2022

In the beginning, there was William In the beginning, there was William Tyndale's Bible, and it was good. Tyndale's Bible, and it was good. Tyndale died at the stake for his efforts, Tyndale died at the stake for his efforts, but his sixteenth-century English but his sixteenth-century English translation from the Hebrew begot translation from the Hebrew begot nearly all the others, most famously nearly all the others, most famously the 1611 King James Version. The King the 1611 King James Version. The King James eventually begot various Jewish James eventually begot various Jewish translations. In 1845, Isaac Leeser, the translations. In 1845, Isaac Leeser, the Philadelphia-based communal leader Philadelphia-based communal leader and writer, lamented Jewish reliance on and writer, lamented Jewish reliance on "a deceased King of England, who was "a deceased King of England, who was certainly no prophet, for the correct understanding of the Scriptures," yet these words were certainly no prophet, for the correct understanding of the Scriptures," yet these words were written in the introduction to his own King James-inspired translation. In 1881, Michael written in the introduction to his own King James-inspired translation. In 1881, Michael Friedlander published the Friedlander published the Jewish Family Bible Jewish Family Bible, which amounted to the King James minus the , which amounted to the King James minus the Christology. Christology.

English Literary Renaissance, 1996

Religion Compass, 2011

In honor of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible (KJB), this article reviews recent scholarship in the growing, interdisciplinary field of the history and impact of the English Bible. Beginning with the early versions of the 16th and 17th century, the contributions of literary scholars and early modern historians are explained and assessed. While the rise of the KJB is given ample consideration, emerging work in other areas is also discussed, including Catholic biblical scholarship. In later periods, the global impact of the KJB and its subsequent decline in use is given attention, alongside newer versions both in traditional printed and online formats.