The Translation of the Authorized King James Bible: Why It Was Important Then, and Why It Is Important Now

It is right that Christians should take time to consider and reflect upon the origin, use and acceptance of the Authorized version of the bible also known as the King James.  It is also necessary because of the implications arising from such a study.   For 1300 years English speaking people were without a bible and during that time idolatry and superstition reigned.  This was known as the Dark Ages.  We should value the privilege we have to read the King James bible that we have now.

There was a pressing need of an acceptable, reliable and good translation that would be of great use to the cause of Christ,  from Hebrew and Greek into English.  The King James bible was authored by the cream of English scholarship. (for detailed information regarding these scholars please listen to the audio of this sermon linked to at the bottom of this post.)  When these men were all summoned to engage in the King's business we must remember that this was to be an international enterprise.  The translators were grouped into companies and not committees, because this was to be an imperial project, done publicly for English speaking people across the world.  Once the companies had finished their work it was sent to a final group of 12 that examined the entire translation before publication.   These men were not perfect, they were like you and I except God gave them certain abilities he did not give to us.  What did they think of themselves?  There were many chosen for this task that were greater in other men's eyes than their own, these were men that sought the truth rather than their own praise.  They were not interested in themselves.  They were humble.   These men were not ashamed at what they believed.  

There were rules which governed them:

1-5 emphasizing continuity with previous work done (Tyndale, Wycliffe, the Geneva Bible; (these were bibles which were despised by authorities and hated for their spread of the word of God across the land).  The translators were to make use of all that was done before. 

6-7 regarding commentary and explanation.  Cross references had a double purpose, to assist in understanding the text and also to demonstrate that it was one bible, a unity and a harmony in God's revelation.  It's all God's word, it's all authoritative, it's all from God, from Genesis to Revelation.

8-15 regarding the mechanics of translation.. there was a resolution of disputes, then the completed work was sent to a group of 12 that examined the entire translation.


The conviction which guided them:

Accuracy of translation was of extreme importance to them.  This must be accurate because it was God's word and they had a duty and obligation to be accurate.

Rhythm was also important.  This bible was appointed to be read in churches so it had to sound right.  The public reading of scripture has a vital place in the church.  It was meant to be read aloud and it was meant to be read aloud by the minister before the people so that they all heard the word of God.   The translators read it to each other to see if they could understand and follow what was being read to them, and could they remember what had just been read. The beauty and flow of the King James is because of this rhythm.  Strongmen are men of strength, the Samaritan woman is the woman of Samaria.  The word "of" makes a difference.  Lord of Lords, King of kings, easily remembered because of that rhythm.  Vanity of vanities.  Also, the words "Lo" and "Behold" grab your attention right away.  There is also a poetic rhythm that is memorable, attractive, and persuasive.  Isaiah 9:6  it stays in your mind.  "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."  

This particular century when the King James bible came into being was a word-dominated culture, the spoken word was of great importance.  Hearing the sound of the words, how persuasive the bible is.  That is why when Christians are sick and unable to read, they ask for someone to read to them because of the rhythm of the words, and the comfort they impart. 

Conservatism:  the deviant, the nontraditional, and the eccentric were unlikely to sway the committees because  the men were not interested in these things.  Conservatism ruled.  They wanted to stick to what God gave.
The Authorized version is rightly distinguished from all other versions.  Why?  How?

It was a whole church bible, that is to say, it didn't belong to any  one particular group, it belonged to all of God's people.   

There was a huge demand for the King James when it was published.  Within 50 years the Authorized King James became THE bible, bought, read and quoted.  It was the text increasingly quoted.   It was a text acceptable to all of God's people.

It was a reliable bible.  It is significant that no new bible in English was produced for more than 200 years.   You think of all the modern versions that have come and gone compared with the longevity of the Authorized King James.  

It was a sound bible:  the textual basis of the KJV is not the same as modern versions.   It has a lineage traceable throughout church history.   The moment you or anyone else reads a modern version based on a different textual basis, you are making  a statement and this is that "I do not believe that God has preserved his word".  You have begun to deny providential preservation and you are depending on scholars to tell you this or that.  The authorized version is rightly distinguished from all other versions.

Here is what has happened because Christians have by and large abandoned the Authorized King James Version:

We have lost a common English bible in both church and culture.  The promoters of modern versions have created a fragmentation in the church.  The loss of unity, uniformity in bible reading and in preaching.  This is a curse we ought to despise.

We have lost the authority of the bible.  If Christians question the authenticity of the text of scripture and that is what you do with a modern version, can we expect the bible to be viewed as authoritative by  the unconverted?  If we don't believe it is authoritative how can they believe it?  

We have lost a literate generation. Promoters of modern versions claim to make their text easier to understand but have they increased bible reading?  Are there more Christians reading their bible than before?  more bible knowledge? more memorization?  no, there isn't.  What we now have is an illiterate generation of Christians who think that the bible is so simple that they don't have to read it at all.  They think that they have an instant understanding so studying the bible is not necessary.  A literate generation is lost.   The beauty of the King James is that it is meant to be studied, to compare scripture with scripture.  

A birthright of excellence has been exchanged for something inferior.  The truth of the scriptures has been abandoned.  

Psalm 68:1-11
"Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.  As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.  But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.  Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before  him.  A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.  God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.  O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God; even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.  Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.  Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.  The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it."
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The above notes are a brief summary of the in-depth sermon by Rev. Trevor Kirkland at Sermon Audio.  If you have read this far, I urge you to listen to the complete sermon.

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1127111856535