Tuesday, April 20, 2010

400th Anniversary of the KJV

2011 will mark the 400th Anniversary of the publishing of the King James Version of the Bible. This is an event that ought to be celebrated by every English-speaking Bible-believing Christian! In fact, we ought to celebrate for the entire year!

Mankind has received no greater gift than the Word of God; and the publishing of the King James Version in 1611 marked the beginning of an unprecedented spread of the gospel around the world! England and the Commonwealth would be used of God to bring His Word, and thereby His salvation, to millions of peoples around the world.

Now, let me be clear: I am not one who believes that the King James Version is the "only" accurate translation in the English language. Neither am I one who believes that God used this wonderful translation to "correct the original languages." That is utter nonsense bordering on idolatry!

I do believe that God gave the King James Version at the birth of the world-wide dominance of the English language, (which continues to this day) to facilitate His will that His word be taken into all the world!

I do believe that the methodology of "word-by-word" translation from the original languages known as "complete equivalence" is still the right way to translate God's Word into new languages!

I do believe that the quality, beauty, and majesty of the language used in the King James Version is still unsurpassed in our day!

And, while I also believe that the changes in the uses and meanings of English words over the last 400 years require that the Word of God be continually updated into the language of ordinary English-speaking people today; I remain eternally grateful to God and the faithful translators of the King James Version of the Holy Bible for their labors and sacrifice to bring this gift to the world!

I intend to spend 2011 testifying to the grace of God by which He moved on the hearts of an English King and several godly Anglican and Puritan Churchmen to produce this treasure of divine instruction!

I intend to use it exclusively in my preaching and teaching throughout 2011 as a testimony to the grace of God that allows us to have the living Word of the living God in our native language.

Since more than 2,000 people groups on earth still do not have a single word of Scripture in their langauge, I intend to do what I can to support Wycliffe Translators, and others, who are giving their lives to bring the Word of God to them.

Yes, I still prefer newer translations; and, I still believe that the English Standard Version of 1991 is the most accurate and useful of all contemporary English translations; but, I also recognize the value of celebrating historical events of great consequence. No other event since 1611 has proved to have such a positive impact on the world and on God's work in the world than the publishing of the King James Version of the Holy Bible!