WHY WE USE OTHER BIBLE TRANSLATIONS BESIDES THE AUTHORIZED 1611 KING JAMES BIBLE

In certain circles of Christianity, there is a movement that insists that the 1611 version of the King James Bible is the most accurate translation available today. Fueled by the writings of King James Only advocates, such as Gail A. Riplinger and her book, New Age Bible Versions, proponents of this movement often insist that the use of any other translation of the Bible perverts the pure teachings of God’s Word.

In response to such claims, we encourage readers who have been influenced by this thinking to examine the other side of this debate as Riplinger’s claims and the claims of other KJV only promoters have been thoroughly refuted in books such as James White’s King James Only Controversy and several articles available online. See New Age Bible Versions Refuted by James White, King James Only? by Bob DeWaay.  Far from obscuring the Deity of Jesus Christ in newer translations, we have found that in certain cases, the case for the Deity of Jesus Christ comes through clearer in the newer translations than it does in the King James Version. Indeed, when any matter such as this one arises, we do well to heed the advice of Proverbs 18:17: “He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.” For a good overview of various Bible Translations see the Bible Versions article by Buddy Martin.