I have to set the story up on how I even bought this book before we dive into it...
A few weeks ago, I was in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for work. While getting ready to leave the city, I came across a church that was renting out the school I was at for my job.
I poked my head into the auditorium to see them setting up for their morning services and beside the entrance was a table with books for sale. Of course, the one that said 'God's Perfect Book' captured my attention right away...
I picked it up and then the pastor strolled by....I hit him with the most obvious question there could possibly be...
"Your church is KJV only isn't it?"
He nodded and we started talking about scripture and the book he was selling.
At first you might be asking, what is the KJV Only movement? It's a part of Christianity that reads from the King James Version of the bible only. They argue, it's the pure word of God and all other translations have been corrupted.
And with that in mind, we can look into this book as something you may or may not want to read...
First of all, I'm a HUGE fan of the bible. Period. I love the history of it, how it was preserved and how God left it for us throughout history with a clear path to spend eternity with Him.
So the first few chapters of this book are excellent. The author goes over how the bible has been preserved and the history of the KJV translation. And I guess the disclaimer is....I'm a KJV only reader, without being....KJV only....
Huh?
I read from the textus receptus manuscripts. The received text of Holy Scriptures. Because yes, I do think there is some suspect things that went with the discovery and translations of the critical text (which most modern bibles come from).
However I do not think reading let's say the NIV, leads to damnation. I do believe God is everywhere in both received text and critical text manuscripts of the greek new testament.
So I do have some biases, because I have a preference. Which is the KJV and NKJV. But in no way do I think these are the only translations of the bible that are salvational.
But back to the book....
Let me be honest, this could even be called the KJV Only Manifesto. Because it's clear that the author has a staunch opinion about the KJV and every other translation. And it can be a fascinating look into why KJV Onlylists have this frame of thinking.
Because once agin, this is a fantastic look into the history of the bible and how we got what we got. But the opinion is that leaning on the side of KJV only.
I did enjoy all the references that the author placed as footnotes on the bottom of each page, so it's not just random opinion thrown around. He did do his research and that should be commended.
But at the end of the day, things like this can end up being very divisive.
I know a few years ago, I was on the side of 'KJV Only'. But now the more I have looked into it, including the reading of this book, I do believe, you can read any modern translation and still find God everywhere within it's pages.
A great history lesson on the best selling book of all time but you have to keep in mind, this is leaning on the side of KJV only in it's grand message.
