'''King James Only''' , also called '''King James Version Only''' and shortened to '''KJV Only''', is a movement that promotes the [[King James Version]] of the Bible. It was popularized by a book edited by David Otis Fuller and published in 1970. It as the only translation which is a common view among fundamentalists in faithful to the U.SGreek and Hebrew texts, including the Hebrew ''[[Masoretic Text]]'' and the Greek ''[[Textus Receptus]]''.
KJV was first published in 1611. The New Testament was translated from It is the predominant view within [[Textus ReceptusIndependent Baptist]]churches, a Greek text compiled by Erasmus in the 16th century on the basis of 12th century Byzantine manuscripts. Its position as the dominant English language translation was unchallenged until the 1970sbut is otherwise uncommon.
More recent translations modernize the language. They also use a Greek text has been adjusted to take into account manuscripts not known to Erasmus. This text, called the Critical Text, The KJV Only view was compiled originally articulated by BBenjamin G.F. Westcott and F.J.A. Hort in 1881 and is updated regularly. The Critical Text is based on manuscripts of the "Alexandrian" type such as ''Wilkinson (1872–1968), a [[Codex VaticanusSeventh Day Adventist]]missionary, in the book '' and Our Authorized Bible Vindicated''[[Codex Sinaiticus]].'' These are the earliest known New Testament manuscripts and date from the fourth century(1930).
==Variant Views==The KJV Only movement has, as does any movement, varying viewsWilkinson's book was openly plagiarized by Jasper James Ray (1955) and by [[Peter Ruckman]] (1964).
On one end are teachers such as David CloudIn 1970, head of Way of Life (an Independent Baptist publishing house based Wilkinson's writing was republished by David Otis Fuller in Canada)''Which Bible?'', properly attributed this time. Way The book is a collection of Life's position statement states that it considers essays edited by Fuller. Fuller added numerous footnotes to correct errors and misunderstandings in the KJV "an example Wilkinson text, some of an accurate translation which involve basic matters of church history. However, Fuller presents the preserved Hebrew and Greek texts"footnotes as if they were written by Wilkinson, so Wilkinson's lack of expertise is not as apparent in this edition as it was in earlier editions.<ref>httpsKutilek, Doug, "[http://www.wayoflifekjvonly.org/aboutdoug/statementkutilek_wilkinson_incred.html</ref> (said texts meaning the Hebrew Masoretic and the Greek Received Text). Howeverhtm Wilkinson's Incredible Errors]", Cloud states that he opposes''Baptist Biblical Heritage'', among other thingsVol. I, any view that the KJV could never be updated for more modern languageNo.<ref>https://www.wayoflife.org/database/king_james_only3; Fall, 1990.html</ref>
On In 1971, several major Bible translations appeared on the other extreme are KJV Only proponents scene, such as Gail Riplinger the [[New American Standard Bible]] (who opposes any attempt to revise the KJVNASB) and Peter Ruckman [[Living Bible|The Living Bible]] (who goes further and considers differences between a paraphrase) along with the Hebrew/Greek and second edition of the [[Revised Standard Version]] New Testament. For this reason, Fuller's book got far more attention than earlier works on this subject. As such, it is considered responsible for starting the KJV to be "advanced revelation)Only movement.
==HistoryThe KJV Only View==The KJO view was articulated by Benjamin G. Wilkinson (1872–1968)Generally speaking, a Seventh-day Adventist missionary, in KJV Only proponents claim that the book Greek ''Our Authorized Bible VindicatedTextus Receptus'' (1930). This book was plagerized by Jasper James Ray (1955) and by [[Peter Ruckman]] (1964). In 1970, Wilkinson's writing was republished used in ''Which Bible?'' (1970), properly attributed this time. This book translating the KJV New Testament is a collection of essays edited by Fuller. Fuller added numerous footnotes to correct errors and misunderstandings in the Wilkinson more reliable text, some of which involve basic matters of church history. Fuller presents than the footnotes as if they were written texts that are used by Wilkinson, so Wilkinson's lack of expertise is not as apparent in the 1970 edition as it was in earlier editionsmodern translations.<ref>Kutilek, Doug, "[http://www.kjvonly.org/doug/kutilek_wilkinson_incred.htm Wilkinson (The Hebrew 's Incredible Errors]", 'Masoretic Text'Baptist Biblical Heritage'', Vol. I, No. 3; Fall, 1990.</ref> Several major Bible is generally used in most modern translations appeared in the early 1970s, making Fuller's treatment topicalthough there are exceptions. Fuller's book got far more attention than earlier works The majority of KJV Only discussion focuses on this subject. It is considered responsible for kicking off KJO as a movementthe New Testament.)
KJO authors claim that Modern translations are based on ''[[Textus Receptus]]Codex Vaticanus'' and ''Codex Sinaiticus'', the Greek both fourth century manuscripts. These two manuscripts are said to be "Alexandrian" because they have same type of text used by KJVas ''Codex Alexandrinus'', is a more reliable text than the so-called Alexandrian text that is used by modern translationsfifth century manuscript. TR ''Textus Receptus'', meanwhile, was edited by Erasmus compiled in the 16th century and is based on several 12th century Century from Byzantine manuscriptsdating back to the 12th Century.
Modern translations are based on ''Codex Vaticanus'' and ''Codex Sinaiticus'', both fourth century manuscripts. These two manuscripts are said to be "Alexandrian" because they have same type of text as ''[[Codex Alexandrinus]]'', a fifth century manuscript. In The underlying textual dispute in the KJV Only debate started in 1881, B.F. when Brooke Foss Westcott (1825-19031901) and F.J.A. Fenton John Anthony Hort (1828–1892) produced a "Critical Greek Text" based on these two manuscripts, commonly referred to as the ''Critical Text''. Westcott and Hort figure prominently (and are frequently demonized) in KJO demonology, where the "Westcott and Hort KJV Only" movement is denouncedwritings.<ref>Stringer, Dr. Phil, "[http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Bible/wh-only.htm The Westcott and Hort Only Controversy]"</ref> Modern Bible translations are based on Greek texts edited by [http://www.nestle-aland.com ''Nestle Aland''] and the [http://www.unitedbiblesocieties.org ''United Bible Societies(UBS)'']. These are similar to Westcott-Hortthe ''Critical Text'', but take into account manuscripts and papyrus fragments that were discovered later.
The main point of the argument is that the more modern translations have been "purposely corrupted" so as to sow doubt in God's Word, specifically the removal of certain passages from the modern texts found in 'New King James Version'Textus Receptus' ', such as:*The [[Johannine Comma]] (1982the ending of I John 5:7, and the beginning of I John 5:8) is a *The Ethiopian eunuch's confession of faith before baptism (Acts 8:37)*The ending of the Gospel of Mark (Mark 16:9-20) ===The [[New King James Version]]===In response to KJV Only critics over the text-based arguments use of KJO writersthe newer Greek texts in modern translations, the ''New King James Version (NKJV)'' was published in 1982. This translation is based on the King James Versionand the underlying texts used therein, but with the language partly modernizedupdated into modern English. The preface claims that the work is a fresh translation of the "majority text," i.e. the text of the majority of surviving manuscripts. This ; this justification was developed after lawyers for Thomas Nelson Publishers told the editors they would not be able to copyright a revision of KJV. As However, KJV Only advocates refuse to accept the majority NKJV as an update, claiming that it too is based on the same "corrupt texts" as all the other modern translations.<ref>http://samgipp.com/answerbook/?page=38.htm</ref> ===Variant Views===Apologist [[James White]], in his book on the subject, notes five differing views on the subject:<ref>James White, ''The King James Only Controversy'', Chapter 1. White also references a (very minor and very extreme) sixth view, that being that Hebrew is actually KJV English; adherents will not even use a word in everyday use not appearing in the KJV.</ref>*'''I Like the KJV Best''': Adherents simply consider KJV to be the best (or at least their preferred) translation due to such things as rhythmic beauty or historical significance. Generally they don't engage in discussions on the subject, and probably don't fit the true definition of surviving a KJV Only adherent.*'''The Textual Argument''': Adherents believe that the Hebrew Masoretic and Greek manuscripts [[Textus Receptus]] are the best underlying Biblical texts (as opposed to the Alexandrian-type texts).*'''Received Text Only''': Adherents believe the Hebrew Masoretic and Greek Textus Receptus are the supernaturally inspired texts (over others), and refuse to accept any translation not based on those texts. A notable adherent is [[David Cloud]], head of Way of Life (an Independent Baptist publishing house based in Canada).<ref>https://www.wayoflife.org/about/statement.html</ref><ref>https://www.wayoflife.org/database/king_james_only.html</ref>*'''The Inspired KJV Group''': Adherents believe in "double inspiration" (i.e. both the Hebrew Masoretic/Greek Textus Receptus and the KJV are supernaturally inspired). Their view can be summarized as "The KJV Alone = The Word of God Alone". The [[Independent Baptist]] publication ''[[The Sword of the Lord]]'' officially holds to this position.<ref>http://www.swordofthelord.com/beliefs.php</ref>*'''The KJV as New Revelation''': Adherents believe that where the KJV differs from the Greek/Hebrew, the differences are "advanced revelation". This view is commonly referred to (sometimes pejoratively) as "Ruckmanism" after its founder, the late Byzantine text type[[Peter Ruckman]]. Adherents in the first three groups generally would not oppose a modern translation from the underlying texts of the KJV (though surprisingly they refuse to accept NKJV as such a translation in some instances), while those in the majority text latter two groups are adamant that no modern translation is quite similar needed. Those in the latter two camps are highly vocal of their position on social media platforms and elsewhere; they will not hesitate to Textus Receptusattack anyone who opposes even a small portion of their viewpoint.<ref>As an example, KJV Only advocate David Cloud, in reviewing Gail Riplinger's ''New Age Bible Versions'', pointed out numerous issues with the book, though he generally agreed with much of it; he was accused of "character assassination", "sowing discord among brethren", and being "[s]omeone who can’t see the numerous Catholic slants in the new versions ... couldn’t see a bowling ball in a bathtub at high noon on a sunny day". See https://www.wayoflife.org/database/newagebibleversions.html</ref> As a consequence, some KJV Only advocates publicly go so far as to state that if any other translation besides the KJV was used in the soul winning process, then the potential convert was not genuinely saved.<ref>https://www.christianforums.com/threads/incorruptible-seed-or-no-salvation-without-kjv.4519056/</ref> However, others in the KJV Only movement would consider someone led to Christ using a different translation to be genuinely saved.<ref>http://samgipp.com/answerbook/?page=18.htm</ref>
== Criticism ==
The KJV Only movement is comprehensively rejected by religious authorities from nearly all other branches of Protestant Christianity.
KJO has been comprehensively rejected by religious authorities, including Even notable fundamentalist authorities, who used the King James Version in their preaching and writings, originally rejected the viewpoint, and some groups still reject it. Dr. [[John Rice]], editor of ''[[The Sword of the Lord]]'' and the best known fundamentalist writer of the 1960s and 1970s, wrote:<ref>However, upon Dr. Rice's death in 1980, ''The Sword of the Lord'' changed its official position and now supports the King James Only Movement.</ref>
<blockquote>
<p>And now to have many, many common and rather ignorant people - more women than men -- writing that Westcott and Hort, St. Augustine, any Catholic who had any part in the translation, anybody who now raises a question about the proper wording of some passage in the King James, are perverts or modernists or hypocrites or ignorant fools (much of the language which they got from Dr. __________),<ref>No name is shown in the letter, but it is commonly believed to be a reference to [[Peter Ruckman])], an extremist KJV Only supporter known for his caustic and sometimes profane language.</ref> is a sorry business, and you and I will be answerable to God if we develop that kind of attitude among common Christians.</p>
<p>I do not want to grow a generation of Christians, who, if you show them that the word "Easter" in Acts 12:4 of the King James Version is not the proper translation but it ought to be "passover," as is true, will decide that we have no Bible, there is no authority in the Bible. To have anybody making such weighty decisions on an immature judgment about a word or two is not right, and I do not want to put a burden on common people that they must assume a scholarship they do not have, in order to understand the Bible.<ref>"[http://www.kjvonly.org/bob/ross_rice_reply_to_fuller.htm Dr. John R. Rice's reply to Dr. David Otis Fuller on the KJV]", ''The Sword of the Lord'', November 28, 1975</ref></p>
</blockquote>
Rice died in 1980 and ''The Sword of the Lord'' now supports the King James Only Movement. However, the publication is no longer influential. [[Bob Jones University]], an which though officially non-denominational is associated with the Independent Baptist university in South Carolinamovement, has the following statement on its site:
<blockquote>
Although Bob Jones University does not hold to a King James Only position, we continue to hold the widely-used King James Version (KJV) as the campus standard in the classroom and in the chapel pulpit.The position of the University on the translation issue has not changed since the founding of the school in 1927 ..we . [w]e have never taken the position that there can be only one good translation in the English language.<ref>"[http://www.bju.edu/about/what-we-believe/translation.php Statement about Bible Translations]", Bob Jones University.</ref>
</blockquote>
Prominent supporters include:
*[[Chick Publications]] (more specifically, founder [[Jack Chick]] , and his successor [[David Daniels]])*''[[The Sword of the Lord|Sword of the Lord Publications]]''*Sam Gipp]]
*[[Peter Ruckman]]
*[[Gail Riplinger]]
*[[Kent Hovind]]
*[[D.A. Waite*Edward Hills*[[David Cloud]]*[[Edward HillsPensacola Christian College]]*[[Steven Anderson]]
==References==
*[http://av1611.com/kjbp/ The King James Bible Page]
*[http://www.biblebelievers.com/BibleVersions.html "Bible Versions" Page at BibleBelievers.com]
*[http://standardbearers.net/uploads/The_King_James_Version_Defended_Dr_Edward_F_Hills.pdf The King James Verson Defended, Dr. Edward F. Hills (standardbearers.net)] pdf
[[Category:Bible Study]]