RSS SubscribeOk… I am not KJV only guy like many people I know and the Non Inspired Version is a joke. So laugh about it. I am not freaky and all that about reading from modern translations. I just thought this was very interesting. Check this stuff out and then as soon as you read the differences between the translations I will take a minute to rant.
KJV vs. NIV
Why did Jesus come to earth?
KJV
Luke 9:56
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
NIV
Luke 9:56
and they went to another village
KJV
Matt. 18:11
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
NIV
Matt. 18:11
(missing)
Is repentance important?
KJV
Matt. 9:13
…I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
NIV
Matt. 9:13
…I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners
For whom did Jesus die?
KIV
I Cor. 5:7
…Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
NIV
I Cor. 5:7
…Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
In Whom must you believe to be saved?
KJV
John 6:47
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
NIV
John 6:47
I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.
Did Jesus give His disciples power to heal?
KJV
Mark 3:15
…power to heal sickness, and to cast out devils.
NIV
Mark 3:15
…authority to drive out demons.
If it’s hard to do, should we just remove it?
KJV
Mark 11:26
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
NIV
Mark 11:26
(missing)
Who is in charge?
KJV
I Cor. 10:28
…for the earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof:
NIV
I Cor. 10:28
(last part of verse missing)
How must we deal with our enemies?
KJV
Matt. 5:44
…Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
NIV
Matt. 5:44
…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Where did Jesus go?
KJV
John 16:16
A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.
NIV
John 16:16
In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.
Is the Trinity one?
KJV
1 John 5:7&8
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
NIV
1 John 5:7&8
For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. (Verse 7 is missing)
Does prayer and fasting aid in casting out demons?
KJV
Matthew 7:19-21
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
NIV
Matthew 7:19-21
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ’Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Verse 21 is missing)
MY RANT:
Ok now I am not against reading NIV or modern translations but you have to get to the place where you ask yourself… why? Why would they take out such key things? Why would they take out what Jesus came to do? Why would they take out repentance? Why would they take out that we have to believe in Jesus? What would they take out some things that we are commanded and have authority to do?
It is important that we go back to a vintage gospel and not a modern gospel. I am not blaming NIV but it seems to me that in modern times we have preached a gospel that removes Jesus, repentance, belief in Jesus as the only way to salvation, forgiveness, and the authority we have in Jesus. I really desire to be modern in my presentation and old school in my doctrine. I will not remove Jesus, repentance, faith in Jesus, forgiveness, and the authority we have in Christ.
I read some modern translations but I always cross it with NKJV and KJV and I use study helps to understand the scripture. One translation that is has high recommendations is ESV. Make sure that as you are choosing a bible translation that you do not make your only criteria how easy is it to read. Go after one that puts value on words and make it so you have to study a little. Don’t be lazy… study to show yourself approved. (2 Timothy 2:15)
I know this is a long post but just think about it… What do you think? What translations do you recommend?
July 14th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Check out: http://www.esvstudybible.org/
July 15th, 2008 at 7:00 am
dang pastor, you’re hardcore.
totally true, today we just want things so easily laid out and not want to work into it, we don’t notice what they’re taking out. loved this!
July 16th, 2008 at 12:24 am
I do think there is a very valid reason for Mark 11:26 not being present. I think “missing” implies it should have been in there in the first place which is arguable at best. But I would side with the NIV here, earlier transcripts did not have the verse. To it’s credit it does explain it’s absence in footnotes.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:33 am
I agree with part of what you are saying Pastor but I think the NIV bible is for those who have a hard time reading the bible. So i guess you can say it has been “dumbed down” I know when I first got saved I could not understand KJV or NKJV and hard a realy hard time with it. Because I was a new Christian and wanted to know about Jesus but everything I read I couldn’t understand. My youth pastor Steve gave me a NIV Bible…and finally…..i could understand it! lol
And now I can say I am mature enough in Christ that I can read out of NKJV!
So in my opinion those who are just starting out in this “Christian walk” it might be easier to read out of NIV first and as they mature go to KJV.
But that is just my opinion.
I feel that it doesn’t matter what version you are reading out of as long as you are reading the Word, that’s all that matters!
July 16th, 2008 at 3:51 am
I have to agree with Kyle, the same is true with the explanation of 1 John 5:7-8, you can check that against the truest translation we have today, the ESV, and also with the NET, and the many others…I personally think when one studies the translation process and the ancient text, one can’t help but believe the KJV is one of the furthest from the original, and that man took great liberty to make it make more sense. This verse as written in the KJV, would have silenced many of the arguments at Nicaea if it was a true translation from the original, but the exegesis that was required at the councils even lends more to the backing of the NET, ESV, TNIV, NIV, etc…
July 16th, 2008 at 5:02 am
I am so happy this spurred some conversation to be honest that is the only reason I posted it. I having nothing against any translation as I said in my post I just think that it is important to notice the difference and check them with study tools. I love the ESV that is all i have been using lately. It is a great translation… Personally i like it better the the KJV. Matthew and Kyle thank you for your wisdom on the issue.