[bibleprotector]

The following documents were used at a summit meeting on the King James Bible, in regards to whether or not the King James Bible is "inspired". http://www.gloryimsaved.com/kjb_summit/

I have listed some of the salient points with my own comments, indicating my view that it is a problem to make the original languages a greater authority than the King James Bible.

1. That only the original autographs were inspired.

This is correct, but we cannot imply that the nature of inspiration was lost from copies, or that God’s Word is not present in English.

“But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith” (Romans 16:26

2. There are several differences between what was printed in 1769, and the KJB today.

This is a fact, but we must understand this in line with the seven purifications of the King James Bible editions. This does not counter the doctrine that the inspired words have been presented in English.

“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” (Psalm 12:6).

3. There are some more words in the King James Bible than what was present in 1611.

This cannot be used to argue that the Bible is in a state of flux, or that the Bible is not retaining the power of inspired words. The reality is that because of printing errors, the need for standardisation of the language, and the requirement of other regularisations, there are some differences in the presentation now, but these are not differences in the actual text and translation of the King James Bible, they are differences between the first printed edition and the present.

4. There are italic words, indicating words added in English to complete the sense, or words not found in all historical attestation.

The completion of the sense cannot be used to argue that the English is different to the inspired original, or that the English is different to the original, because that the perfect sense is given in English. Moreover, the fact that the inspired words are not found in all copies in the original languages is easily able to be used to explain why some phrases are portrayed in italics in the King James Bible, though they be the very words of Scripture.

5. The margins give other senses.

It is false to say that the margins contain renderings which are equal or alternate to the main rendering. It is true that the marginal renderings may be somewhat probable, but what is given as the main text is always more and most probable, and is correct.

6. The translation of the Scripture into other languages.

While the Scripture has rightly been translated into other languages from the originals historically, as may be said about our King James Bible, it would be imprudent to argue that foreign translations today should be made from the originals, when the King James Bible gives in a gathered form the exact text and sense of the Scripture, which cannot be found in any single extant copy of the originals. This is besides arguments in favour of having people learn English to get the King James Bible rather than emphasising new foreign translations.

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20).

The very commandments of Jesus must be taught to the nations. Where a translation is sufficently doing so, it has been commendable, but the observance of all things requires all the words and all the sense. Thus, for the entering into the full counsel of God, it is best for people of all nations to come, in time, to use the King James Bible.

7. False standards versus the true.

a. No translation is inspired, but there are no copies of the originals today which match exactly what was inspired. It is not unbiblical to claim that the King James Bible presents the inspired Scripture. Edward Hills said the KJB was an independent variety of the Textus Receptus. It is, in fact, the final form of the Received Text.

b. The “authenticity” of the King James Bible is not merely measured in regards to its faithfulness to the present knowledge of the original languages. In fact, the authenticity of the KJB is seen and understood by observing its internal characteristics, that it fully validates itself as no other translation does, and by its external characteristics, that is, the providences surrounding its origin and history.

c. The English does not contain things which darken the sense, nor are their nuances of the originals which are “absent” from the King James Bible. This may be studied out on several grounds, such as, in the right dividing of words, such as the various meanings of one word (e.g. “wine”), on the distinctions between similar, yet differing words (e.g. "glistering" versus "glittering", "vail" versus "veil"), on the peculiar designs in the English, such as alliterations, word play (e.g. “morrow” in Zephaniah 3:3, the use of “well” at John 14:17) and King Jamesque readings, (e.g. “God will provide himself” at Genesis 22:8).