I've been debating whether or not to write about this for weeks now...
You see, I have a new addiction. And that's collecting bibles. I've been so drawn to scripture in 2023, it's hard to put into words exactly how much fire I feel for learning God's Word.
My problem has always been though....Finding the perfect bible.
I have this vision of what I'm looking for. It'll be personal sized, leather covered, 36 gsm paper, no cross references and.....
A KJV translation.
Oh boy, here we go.....
For some that may not know the drama behind that statement, over the past few years the 'KJV-Only Movement' has been the center of debate across many Christian denominations. Heck, I get into enough doctrine debates being a Seventh-Day Adventist as it is, the last thing I need to do was be a part of....Another movement lol
So for years, I was open to other translations. I didn't stray too far away though, I mean I had an NIV a few years ago, I've got a few NKJV bibles as well, but generally I have always enjoyed the KJV. There is something about the language that draws me to scripture. The poetry of Proverbs and Psalms is just unmatched in my opinion.
But then comes the 'debate'...
People that are a lot smarter than me have said there's issues with the KJV, because it's a newer translation and we didn't understand what the Greek meant until now! On the other side of the coin, some say it's from the Alexandrian text and corrupted since day one...
I prayed about this for a long long long time. My search for the perfect bible continued but now I was having a battle with....Which translation is the one for me? And that's what it comes down to right?
The translation that you enjoy the most. The most important thing is that you are in scripture, all the other stuff will work itself out. And I do tend to side on that way of thinking.
However, I do worry about verses like this:
And just a quick look into some of these translations, and you can see plenty added and taken away.
Still, I get that the english language has changed over the years. Words we used in the 1600's aren't used in 2023. And the more they study Greek and Hebrew, the better the translations get. So that's why I have never been 'hard core' in my beliefs on any translation.
So when it comes down to it, I guess I am a KJV-Only guy...
But not because I don't see the Holy Spirit in other translations.
And not because I think one can lead people astray.
Nope, I'm a KJV Only (ist) because I love the translation. That's it. It's my personal preference and it's the one I am nose deep in, each and every day.
Now if I can only find that 'perfect bible' I've been searching for, because I have found the perfect translation for me.
