Is King James Version Onlyism Sin?

Those that follow my channel know that I didn’t put out a video last week. Nathan told me several times over the last week, but I held back on purpose. I wanted plenty of time to pray about this one before I put it out. I’m glad I did. While I was praying about this video, the debate between Daniel Haifley and Mark Ward took place and boy did the pot get stirred from that. So in this video, I want to address the difficult question, is KJV-onlyism a sin? I beg you, watch this entire video. Please do not miss the very end.

This video is not click-bait and it is not off-the-cuff shock jock material to get views. The purpose of this video is to address a legitimate question and to provide some thought-provoking rhetoric that will cause some extremists to stop and examine their positions and attitudes; and ultimately how they conduct themselves towards other believers when it comes to the exclusive use of the King James Version.

Join me as we discuss this important question in the King James Controversey

[Nix.]

I'm so glad I was led to your channel, brother. Thank you. Someone who speaks truth.

[lonnieclemens]

King James Onlyism used to be viewed as a joke and to be a non--threatening issue. This movement has grown and conservative theologians are starting to address the issue. Addressing KJV Onlyism is long overdue. Thank you for sharing this video.

[ShaunChristman]

I just left a comment on another video thanking you about being part of me leaving kjvo, but i also saw you're reformed, at least in soteriology, and im becoming more reformed every day

[inhistime]

Videos like this one are why I have so much respect for you. You are a peacemaker who speaks the truth with love and you have lived it out in your own life so clearly. You did a wonderful job on this video and I have great respect for you, sir!

[radiohobbyist]

You're making too much sense. Thank you for shining a light on this topic. 👍

[marshallman]

Awesome analysis pastor!
I’ve read several books on KJVO topics including White’s Controversy.
I’ll never forget that evening when a friend came over to study with me, and when he saw my NKJV, he told me to throw it in the trash, because it was an abomination.
Thankfully he listened to my firm stance, and over the next few months he actually lightened up a lot on the subject.
I know he was a fine person, and pastored a church for a while.
He humbled himself, and didn’t reject our friendship, or even the Bible study that day.
To those watching this video, please listen to these words of wisdom, and take the time to research the subject.
Thank you pastor for your clear, and hopefully encouraging words to those who look down at their brothers, and sisters over their translations.
EXCELLENT point about the preface in the old KJV, that is precisely what a real translator would say, who is familiar with the challenges.

Remember, there are TWO things that must happen for proper translation.
1) The form must change. as in words, or language.
2) The meaning must stay the same.

[cbrown]

I just wanted to commend you not only for making this video, but also for your nuanced approach and also for your charitable perspective towards those who do hold the KJVO position. Others have put the right name of the sin onto the KJVO position. I also wanted to commend you for your own testimony in recognising the harm caused by KJVOism and in making it right. This demonstrates the character of the man.

[michaelroots]

Great balanced video. KJV only position puts people in bondage. I have a hard time not getting enraged when I think of it. In all things we a so soon to except what is preached (receive the word with joy) but we neglect the second part (searching the scripture). The sad thing is that we should be able to trust that all sources sited in Christian books. KJVO people start fact checking what you are being taught.

[logiberra]

I could be wrong on this, but it seems to me that the Kings James Bible Research Council have inadvertently used the same argument that the Roman Church does when they say that the Church needs the teaching office of the magisterium to understand and teach true doctrine. It seems reasonable to think this due to their insistence in Reason 6 saying, "having a Bible that is easy to understand is not a godly goal...that is why we have preachers and teachers." This goes against reformational principles, and of course, the vision of Tyndale and the King James translators.

[Dr.Mike.]

Pastor Burris glad to see you back. I was worried. I do love the TR but I do use other versions to study even though I preach from the NKJV .

[CharlesJones-buhk]

I appreciate you doing this video I left that last Baptist church because of this issue . I do love the KJV nowadays but it’s not my favorite. I remember when I first opened the word of God, I heard that the KJV was the only way in my early walk so I tried to force myself to only learn from the KJV and I struggled understanding the word so carrying my dictionary with me was the thing. Ounce I tried other translations such as the NASB, ESV, the word of God opened up to me. I’m still learning of course but I can definitely understand the KJV now because of the other translations. I love the KJV and many other translations.i won’t give up on the KJV just because of men and I will not give up on God because of flawed men.

[dalewhite]

Any form of idolatry is sin, including bibliolatry. When you worship the book above the God of the book, that's sin.

[ZerubbabelsCapstone-cite]

Spot on Jonathan. Great work!
KJV readers please pay attention to what I am about to say.
Luke 22:31 KJV
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:"

Is this passage saying that Satan desires to sift just Peter, or does it apply to all the disciples?

In our present day modern English "you" is 2nd Person Singular, it can be used as the Subject or the Object. But in the KJV Late Middle/Early Modern English "you" is the 2nd Person Plural Object, "Ye" is the 2nd Person Plural Subject, "Thee" is 2nd Person Singular Object, "Thou" is the 2nd Person Singular Subject, "Thy" is Possessive 2nd Person Singular Subject, "Thine" is Possessive 2nd Person Singular Object. (If it starts with the letter "y" it is plural, and if it starts with the letter "t" it is singular)

Luke 22:31 is saying that all of the disciples will be sifted by Satan.

It is important to know these things when using the KJV, plus the 30 or so words that have changed meaning since the KJV was first published in 1611. After learning theses things then the KJV will be a most excellent and faithful translation of the Greek New Testament. Probably even better than most of the newer bible translations. But be aware that the KJV does have some bad translations in it, and some of these errors has been corrected in some of the modern translations. Don't automatically assume the KJV is always right. We need to compare them with the Greek documents to be sure which one is more faithful. When words, phrases, clauses, or sentences are missing it is probably because of variances in the Greek manuscripts they are translating from rather than the translators deliberately corrupting the text by adding or leavening things out.

I hope that this helps some of you. Praise God.

[skibbydogg]

The KJV only argument falls down as soon as one brings in other languages. I had one KJV only person assumed that we, as missionaries to France, would be teaching them English so they could read the Bible (KJV). They were totally oblivious that they French already had their own version in their own language. How sad.

[sillyrabbi]

2 Tim 3 promises that those false teachers, though they have an appearance of godliness, will not go undiscovered for long. This is being borne out daily as the irrationality of the radical KJVO movement is exposed to the light of the gospel. This is happening because of the courage of men like you, Dr. Ward, and others who would rather stand for truth than for the applause of crowds...crowds in which they used to run. Thank you for your courage to speak the truth on this issue, especially as patiently and charitably as you do. One soul at a time, good brother!

[gailreineke]

What gives anyone the right to say that if we don’t have the “old KJV”, we don’t have a real Bible? That’s atrocious.

[j.woodbury]

I am KJV Preferred, not KJV Only. I mainly use the KJV, but I use other versions as companions along with it. I am currently using the CSB, but I hope to eventually have Bibles in the ESV, NASB, NRSV, NIV, LSB, NLT, NET and MEV translation.

[RobertJones-vh]

Brother Johnathon…. I really enjoyed your take on this issue… I must admit I was raised in a free will Baptist church and it was strictly kjv only, if you even took a different version in that church they treated you like you was a witch being burned at the stake. For the last 20 years I have used the nkjv the nasb the csb… I love the kjv but it’s not my main Bible, I read all of them … I guess my main reason for staying out of church for the last 20 years is because I’m not gonna let some cultish congregation tell me how and what to read for my spiritual growth…. I will also say this these so called Christian’s that criticize a brother in Christ and weakens his faith in Gods word is gonna have hell to pay … I don’t want to be standing in their line on judgement day that’s for sure… may God richly bless you in all you do keep up the good work

[AvenueBCD]

Thank you for addressing the KJVO issues. I came out of a church that pushed it and I began to realize it was just wrong and did not make sense.

[davidbrock]

Thanks for posting, the more that are freed from the KJVO movement the better.