The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust the Modern Translations?
From Textus Receptus
The King James Only Controversy is a book written by James White in an attempt to smear all King James Version and Textus Receptus supporters as weird, kooky, and generally illiterate.
Contents |
Thomas Holland
Concerning James White's Book ~ The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust the Modern Translations?
Thomas Holland said:
- Self contradiction seems to be a theme in his book. White states that time should be spent by pastors helping the sick and not defending text types and translations (introduction, p. IV), but then concludes that the Bible "requires us to study its history and the reasons for our trust in its veracity and accuracy" (introduction, p. VI). Apparently, White feels the KJV issue worthy of attention as he has just published a 286 page book on this issue, written a pamphlet entitled "New Age Bible Versions Refuted" in response to Gail Riplinger's book on the subject, and has debated Riplinger twice and author Dr. D.A. Waite on this issue.
- In a series of contradictions, White cites several of Dr. Peter S. Ruckman's books, stating that "charges of blasphemy, heresy and even stupidity, fly thick from some elements of the KJV Only movement" (introduction, p. V). Yet, on the same page he says, "The KJV Only controversy feeds upon the ignorance among Christians regarding the origin, transmission, and translation of the Bible." According to White, this view causes conservative Christians to be viewed as "backwards" (introduction, p. VII). Further, KJV only groups are "an 'opening' through which cultic groups often enter into the thinking of the unsuspecting believer" (p. 27). White sends a mixed message that it is wrong to use words such as "heresy" and "stupidity" by supporters of the KJV, but condones the labels of "ignorance," "backwards," and "cultic" for advocates of the Authorized Version.[1]
Errors
James White in his book, The King James Only Controversy, on page 270 he incorrectly says of the first rule: “His rule only applies to persons, not things.” but in Durham’s book, on page 22, he clearly states under the section, “Sharp’s first rule regularly applied to things”:
- Thirty-three verses were found in which Sharp’s rule was applied to things rather than persons. These verses were subdivided according to five categories: (1) Entities, (2) Characteristics, (3) Activities, (4) Locations, and (5) Times.
To give a few brief examples from the book:
- (1) Acts 1:25 “this ministry and apostleship”; Acts 2:23 “the predetermined plan and foreknowledge”.
- (2) Mark 8:38 “this adulterous and sinful generation”; Mark 16:14 “their unbelief and hardness of heart”.
- (3) Hebrews 6:7 “that drinks…and brings forth”.
- (4) Matthew 23:37 “who kills…and stones”.
- (5) Matthew 24:36 “that day and hour”; Acts 2:20 “the great and glorious day”.
