The Wives of KJV-Onlyism

Alan and Amy Morrison talk with Mark Ward about the conflict KJV-Onlyism brought to their marriage. Amy tells the insightful and humorous story of her first time she saw her husband reading a contemporary version. Alan and Amy offer advice to a woman whose husband insists that their children read only the KJV.

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[gregb]

I am blessed to be part of a church that has no problem with the members using multiple translations. The teaching elder preaches from the ESV. I read from the NKJV. Others in the church use the NASB. We have learned from experience that comparing different versions gives us all a better understanding of many passages.

[davemitchell]

KJOism begs two questions: Why did a loving God wait over 1500 years to give his children His true word, and why is He still withholding His word from 75% of the world who cannot comprehend the English language?

[WaimakBibleChapel]

I also was leading a IBF church Oxford Bible Baptist we lost all our brothers and sisters in Christ in the IBF movement. I now lead a TR only instead of KJV only church Waimak Bible Chapel. My wife and I are still very hurt and grieving over the loss of fellowship but mostly through the lack of love shown. Our church has members that use multiple translations but we preach from translations based on the Textus Receptus. We have fellowship with other churches and Pastors from other denominations something we never did when in the IBF movement. The IBF movement has no allowance for discussion or agreeing to disagree.

[argerm]

I am very impressed with how sober this husband and wife are. Very articulate and sound reasoning.

This story is heartbreaking, but uplifting at the same time. It shows that God can help people work through difficult problems and it doesn't have to mean there is no reconciliation or agreement possible. This is about as basic as it gets, in the sense of the controversy getting to the most intimate level.

I'm glad that this couple was able to come to agreement. I wish churches would take their example, or at least not make this a stumbling block that pits believers against each other, rending the body when it's absolutely not necessary.

[society]

When she said that she asked him if he was willing to lose everything over this, and he replied “Yes, he was because he believed it to be the truth.” It made me cry, because … I don’t know … it’s just so beautiful when people take a stand for Jesus. That’s true faith that denies self to follow him.

[Mamaroo]

I was someone who came to realize king James onlyism was unbiblical and incorrect before my husband did.
My one piece of advice to come out the other side of this difficult situation without fracturing your marriage relationship is PRAY. I prayed so much during the 12 months that my husband and I were not in agreement over this. I continually asked God to show me which questions to ask my husband and when to just shut up and not poke the bear. I tried to ask thought provoking questions and then leave it alone, while being patient and prayerful. After that 12 months and lots of God’s hand working in our lives, my husband came to believe in “textual confidence” and was no longer KJVO.

I was raised KJVO from birth and my husband had believed it since he was a young teenager. My father was pastor of the church where we served in youth ministry, music ministry, children’s Sunday school classes etc. My husband was a deacon. Once we were in agreement on this issue, my husband sat down to talk with our pastor (my dad) because his conscience required him to declare his belief on this translation issue. We were immediately asked to step down from all our responsibilities at church, and ultimately we decided to look for another church where we could serve in good conscience. My husband is now on his third year of studying pastoral ministry at MBU and we are thriving even more than ever, though many of our relationships with friends and family have been fractured and never fully repaired. God is still good and I have hope that in the future our relationships with others will eventually be healed.

Thank you for your work, Mark, it has been immensely helpful to both my husband and I in the journey God prepared for us.

[joshuabarzon]

Very interested in this one. My wife and I probably had some similar struggles initially. It is encouraging to see other believers who have been through the same growing pains of sanctification that we have.

[Abbasgirl]

Listening to this video while surrounded by multiple translation Bibles around me. Why would this be an issue?

[tjblanchard]

My wife and I have never disagreed on Bible translations, thankfully. But we have disagreed on a few doctrinal issues. It is is very difficult to navigate something like this for two faithful Christians who are married. There are many reasons for this.

[lesliedanielmolina]

Thanks to you and your guesses for sharing their life. It is not easy.

[michealferrell]

Very interesting, and such a great family. If all couples could communicate the way they do the divorce rate would be non existent.

[cyruslburch]

Hey AIan, good to see you and your wife on here with Mark. Still praying for you. Hope you'll come back to New England!

[MosesTheDrake]

I find this very humorous while simultaneously not being funny. I may not have dealt with exactly KJV-Onlyism but I have with other similar issues in my church. It's inspiring to see a couple being faithful to seek God for what was right for them rather than what others wanted for them.

[bryanboatman]

Just a thought on the wife with the question about her special needs child.

If the husband believes in missions and putting the word of God in other languages for the sake of understanding. Graciously approach the subject that way; understanding is what she’s after for their child.

[mandm]

Excellent and sad at the same time. It hurts to know that someone would break a friendship over a translation issue, knowing they still love the Lord. I pastor a church in VA that my dad planted 40+ yrs ago. It is considered Independent, we are KJV, but not only. Some carry NKJV, ESV, etc. If they are reading and studying the Bible, I'm thrilled!
If the KJV is the ONLY translation for English speaking people, where is this Golden Chain of preservation that takes us from the original autographs, through the Majority Text, to the TR (which one), to our 1769 Blayney Ed. KJV? No one has ever answered that for me. I love the KJ, but I read several translations.

[lonnieclemens]

I am grateful to see this video. Who could have ever imagined a bible translation issue effecting a marriage.

[wadesjourney]

I grew up KJV only I kinda snapped out of it when I read a book of common prayer and saw the psalter in the Coverdale psalms tradition.

[philipmorgan]

God is moving on this issue in the IFB church. I believe this wonderful testimony is a snapshot of what God is doing.
Thank you, brother Mark!

[salvadaXgracia]

Great interview! Tough questions especially regarding how to teach children that belong to both of you.

My husband and I went through this coming out of Calvinism. He was very angry and we stood to lose a lot since he was just about to finish his master's from a Calvinist seminary and most of his friends and mentors were Calvinist. Praise God it wasn't long after searching the Scripture for himself that he too left that teaching.

I think this woman should not be restricted in what she reads. To follow God she should read his word in a translation she understands. If it would be disobeying God to refuse to read his word in anything but the Latin Vulgate that you don't understand then it would be equally disobeying God to only read the KJV if you can't understand it.

For her child she should probably continue to use the KJV but read each passage ahead in an understandable translation so that she can translate for her child just like I am sure her husband does as well. Until such time as her husband comes around or their daughter turns 18 and makes her own decision.

[baileysservices]

This is exactly where I’m at right now. Not a pastor, but knowing the truth I can’t deny it - and I’m not sure unity with my pastor is possible at this point…but we have so many people here we love and who love us, and I don’t want to have to leave. My wife isn’t on board right now and feels much like this woman did when the issue first came up. This is such a help to me!